FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The No. 7 Nationally-Ranked Baldwin Wallace University wrestling team placed third, with 149 points at the Citrus Invitational, hosted by John Carroll University, inside the Broward County Convention Center.
BW was led by junior two-time All-Ohio Athletic Conference and Academic All-OAC 149-pounder Stanley Bleich (North Ridgeville/Elyria Catholic) earned 23 points after winning his first two bouts with consecutive major decision, 13-4 and 17-5. In his quarterfinal match, Bleich secured another 14-6 major decision. For the semifinal, the junior seized a 10-8 decision. In the championship bout, he seized a 15-11 decision for a first place finish.
Also a champion with 23 points was senior All-American and two-time All-OAC 197-pounder Zeckary Lehman (Akron/Revere), who claimed his first-round match with a 5-1 decision and secured his second-round bout with an 8-0 major decision. For his quarterfinal, he won by way of a 2:18 pin. In the semifinal, Lehman won with a 5-0 decision. The senior claimed his championship bout with an 8-6 decision. Lehman now sits at No. 7 on BW's all-time career wins list with 106 victories.
Senior All-American and Academic All-OAC 141-pounder Charlie Nash (Norwalk) earned 19.5 points. He won his first-round bout with a 19-2 tech fall and won his second-round match with a 3:49 pin. In the quarterfinal, Nash won by a narrow 2-0 decision. For his semifinal, the senior claimed a 3-1 decision, before dropping the first-place bout to a 3 close, 3-2 decision.
Freshman 197-pounder Doug Byrne (Wickliffe) tallied 18 points. The freshman grabbed his second-round match with a 2:07 pin, after receiving a first-round bye. In his quarterfinal, Byrne won with a 5-4 decision, before securing another 3-1 decision in his semifinal bout.
Junior 165-pounder Dalton Leightner (Ravenna/Rootstown) earned 17 points with his fifth place spot. He secured a 2:51 pin and a 13-4 major decision in his first two matches. After falling in the quarterfinal, Leightner claimed his fifth place bout with a 4:17 pin.
Senior 141-pounder Aaron Kelly (Rocky River) placed fourth and earned 18 points. The senior claimed his first-round bout with a 15-0 tech fall and secured his second-round match with a 4:11 pin.
Freshman 125-pounder Jack Stanley (Brecksville / Brecksville-Broadview Heights) seized third with 15 points and received a first-round bye, before securing his second-round bout with a 20-3 tech fall. In the quarterfinal, he won with a 7-3 decision, before falling to a 7-2 decision in the semifinal. Stanley won his third-place bout with an 11-10 decision.
Freshman 184-pounder Griffin Rathburn (New Albany/Bishop Hartley) placed seventh and recorded 9.5 points. He won his first-round match with a 17-4 major decision. In his seventh place bout, Rathburn secured a medical forfeit.
Earning an eighth spot with 8.5 points was junior All-OAC and Academic All-OAC 149-pounder Tanner McHugh (New Ringgold, Pa./Tamaqua) started with a 10-3 decision before pinning his second-round opponent in 3:41. After dropping his quarterfinal bout, McHugh fell in his seventh-place match with a medical forfeit.
Sophomore 285-pounder Parker Meaney (Ashtabula/Lakeside) placed eighth and had 8.5 points. Meaney managed two pins, 1:29 and 1:48, before his 5-1 decision in his fourth-round consolation match.
Junior Chad Craft (Dayton/Northmont) placed ninth and registered 8 points. The junior received a first-round bye before securing a 16-0 technical fall in the second. Craft won his ninth place bout with 1:53 pin.
BW will hit the mats next Friday and Saturday January 10 & 11 for the National Wrestling Coaches Association National Duals, held at the Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, Kentucky. Matches will begin at 10 a.m on both days.
