From Case Western Reserve University Athletics
The Case Western Reserve University wrestling team won three of its four duals at the Dr. Si Ostrach Duals on Saturday at the Veale Center in Cleveland. CWRU defeated Waynesburg University 38-16, Defiance College 47-7, and St. John Fisher College 22-21, but fell to Albion College 29-12.
The Spartans improved to 10-3 in dual matches after the day of competition. The Waynesburg Yellow Jackets fell to 0-12, the Defiance Yellow Jackets fell to 1-11, the Brits improved to 10-5, and the Cardinals fell to 3-4.
First-year Art Martinez, competing at 141 pounds, led the team with a perfect 4-0 record and tied for the team-high with two pins. First-years Calvin Rowan (149 lbs.) and John Conover (184 lbs.) and seniors Mitchell Arch (157 lbs.) and Stephen Andryc (197 lbs.) all added three wins and a fall for CWRU in the duals, with Arch recording two pins.
CWRU 38, Waynesburg 16
Following a forfeit in the first match and a loss by decision in the second, Martinez recorded his third technical fall of the season, besting Christian Michaels 17-0. In the next match, Rowan earned a takedown with 13 seconds remaining in the first overtime to claim a 4-2 sudden victory decision. Arch followed with his first fall of the afternoon, pinning Ryan Bachar in 1:15 for his 11th pin of the season. Forfeits at 165, 174, and 197 pounds clinched the first win of the day for the Spartans.
CWRU 47, Defiance 7
Martinez started a stretch of three consecutive falls by CWRU wrestlers in the second match. The first year picked up his eighth pin of the season in 47 seconds over Brandon Ruiz. Rowan followed with his third career pin, defeating Brent Eicher in 4:19. Arch added his second fall of the day and team-leading 12th of the season, dispatching Alejandro Castro in 51 seconds.
Though first-year Marty Landes did not record a pin, he earned his team-leading fifth technical fall of the season at 165 pounds, defeating Kerringten Martin 18-1. Conover and Andryc each added pins to clinch the match. Conover earned his sixth of the season in 2:18, and Andryc picked up the fifth of his season and eighth of his career in 1:51.
In extra matches, first-year Thomas Wagner, competing at 149 pounds, recorded his 11th pin of the season in 1:14. Junior William Kerr (major decision, 285 lbs.) and first-year William Bressner (decision, 157 lbs.) also earned wins.
Albion 29, CWRU 12
CWRU rebounded from a loss by decision in the first match of the dual to win the next three and take a 12-3 lead. A forfeit at 133 pounds gave the Spartans six points, Martinez won by decision in sudden victory 7-1 to earn three points, and Rowan followed with a 6-5 decision for the final three points. However, the Brits would win the final six matches to claim the dual and give Case Western Reserve its only loss on the day.
CWRU 22, St. John Fisher 21
Facing a 9-0 deficit, Martinez put the Spartans on the scoreboard with his second pin of the day and his ninth of the season. He defeated Zachary Ash in 3:24 to improve to 26-8 (.765) on the season. The Cardinals responded with wins by decision and by fall in the next two matches to lead 18-6 midway through the dual.
Arch began the CWRU comeback with an 11-2 major decision, the first of four straight wins by at least nine points for the hosts. Sophomore Calvin Cai followed with his first competitive win of the day, winning by major decision 16-4 to cut the Spartan deficit to four. Conover tied the score at 18 with a 12-2 major decision at 184 pounds, and Andryc gave Case Western Reserve its first lead of the dual, 22-18, with an 11-1 major decision at 197 pounds. Heading into the final match, St. John Fisher needed at least a major decision to win the dual, but fell short, winning the 285 pound match by decision 4-3.
In extra matches, first-year Ari Kefer recorded his fourth pin of the season, besting Adrian College's Donovan Kelly in 3:46.
Prior to the duals, the Spartans honored their three senior team members—Andryc, Arch, and Alex Torres—as part of Senior Day.