Lovejoy's pin keys 21-13 victory for No. 12 Wrestling at John Carroll

By: Darren Miller

UNIVERSITY HEIGHTS — A key pin by freshman Cody Lovejoy led the No. 12 Ohio Northern wrestling team to a 21-13 victory at Ohio Athletic Conference foe John Carroll Tuesday evening.

Ohio Northern improves to 10-4 overall and 3-0 in the OAC, while John Carroll falls to 5-4 overall and 2-1 in OAC action.

Clinging to a slim 15-13 lead entering the final bout of the night, Lovejoy sealed the win for the Polar Bears with a pin in 5:27 in the heavyweight division.

The Polar Bears started hot, winning three straight decisions to open up a 9-0 lead over the Blue Streaks.

Sophomore Cole Cochran won 8-7 at 125, junior Jeremy Jones won 3-0 at 133 and sophomore Nick Pataro

John Carroll had a run of its own, winning matches at 149, 157, and 165 pounds to take a 10-9 lead.

Junior two-time All-American and No. 3-ranked Kyle Kwiat won by decision at 174 to help Ohio Northern regain a 12-10 lead.

But the upset-minded Blue Streaks won by decision at 184 to take a 13-12 advantage through eight of the 10 weight classes.

Sophomore Michael Pawlitz picked up an overtime decision at 197 to put the Bears up 15-13 going into the deciding match.

The Polar Bears will return to action Friday and Saturday at the Wheaton (Ill.) Invitational.

No. 12 Ohio Northern 21, John Carroll 13

125 - Cole Cochran (ONU) dec. John Cobos, 8-7
133 - Jeremy Jones (ONU) dec. Kevin Nycz, 3-0
141 - Nick Pataro (ONU) dec. Jake Rininger, 4-2
149 - Greg Ryan (JCU) dec. Brandon Howes, 7-4
157 - Terner Gott (JCU) maj. dec. Michael Letcher, 11-1
165 - Sean Gill (JCU) dec. #3 Billy Painter Painter, 5-3
174 - #3 Kyle Kwiat (ONU) dec. Todd Gaydosh, 6-2
184 - Bryan Steinmetz (JCU) dec. Dennis Recknagel, 4-2
197 - Michael Pawlitz (ONU) overtime dec. Jim Nemunaitis, 6-4
285 - Cody Lovejoy (ONU) pinned Alec Barker, 5:27