FINAL RESULTS

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS, Ohio – The Otterbein wrestling team had a challenging start to its Ohio Athletic Conference (OAC) slate Tuesday night, dropping a 34-9 dual against No. 5-ranked John Carroll inside the Tony DeCarlo Varsity Center.

JCU opened the night with a pin, and then put a pair of nationally-ranked standouts on the mat in the next two bouts. Andrew Perelka, ranked No. 3 at 125 pounds, jumped up a weight class to also secure a fall. Then, Jarrod Brezovec (also ranked No. 3 at 141) earned a technical fall that put the Blue Streaks ahead 17-0.

Sophomore Nathan Leko battled admirably throughout his match at 149, including what could have been a nasty shoulder injury in the third period, to ultimately go the distance. He was forced to settle with a 9-5 decision loss after the full eight minutes.

The match of the night was at 157 pounds, featuring a pair of No. 4-ranked competitors albeit from different weight classes; Ryan Whitten (Otterbein) against Luke Reicosky (John Carroll), who has recently come down from 165…

The contest headed to the third period locked at 1-1, before Reicosky was able to secure a double-leg takedown with under 90 seconds remaining in the match. Whitten got one back with an escape… but it unfortunately wouldn't be enough in dropping the narrow showdown.

Newcomer Cale Callahan continued gaining experience with a matchup against Patrick McGraw. He trailed early, won a handful of points back on escape, and ultimately rested with a decision loss.

Otterbein eventually got on the scoreboard down the stretch by way of two seniors. Joey Bradberry (184) delivered a workmanlike effort, holding a 6-2 lead entering the third period but having to overcome a late push from Brody Arrundale… who came up with a near fall to begin the frame and get within a pair. Bradberry quickly got one back on the escape and held on down the stretch for a 7-4 triumph.

Veteran Jarrod Setliff then contributed a pin at 197, working out of a few mild situations to eventually flip Jesse Kanatzar and secure the count with 35 seconds left in the second period.

Freshman Billy Reed-Bodey had some key moments in the heavyweight culmination. He led early, then trailed in the third period before a nice reversal with 1:15 to go pushed him back in front… 5-4. However, opponent Connor Bizjak found a reversal himself just 25 seconds later to leapfrog back in front and emerge.

Otterbein will be back in action this weekend, heading back up north to compete at the Albion Invitational in Michigan.