Alexander leads Wrestlers to 27-12 victory over No. 23 John Carroll on Senior Night

Matt Alexander

By Steve Green

ADA -- Freshmen Matt Alexander upset the defending Ohio Athletic Conference champion at 184 pounds to lead the Ohio Northern wrestling team to a 27-12 victory over No. 23-ranked John Carroll on Senior Night Tuesday night at the ONU Sports Center.

The Polar Bears clinched their 38th winning season in the 44-year history of their program with a 12-11 record and finish in second place in the Ohio Athletic Conference with a 5-1 record.

The Blue Streaks fall to 10-6, 3-3.

Alexander used a third period reversal to defeat defending OAC champion Ben Adams by a 3-2 decision. Alexander is now 23-13 on the season.

Northern jumped out to a quick 15-0 behind a Jeff Penny decision at 133 and forfeit wins by David Penny and Joe Spooner at 125 and 141, respectively.

Jeff Penny won a 6-2 decision over Kevin Nycz at 133. The decision gives him an 18-10 record on the season.

At 157, Luke Miller provided a huge victory with a pin over Drew Schafer at 6:10. With the victory Miller improves to 26-7 on the year.

The pin gave ONU a 21-3 lead.

The Blue Streaks pulled within 21-9 with victories at 165 and 174, but Alexander's decision gave the Polar Bears an insurmountable 24-9 lead.

"That was a great win by Matt," ONU head coach Ron Beaschler said. "It sealed the win for us and was an outstanding win for him heading into the Conference Championships. They helped us with the two forfeits, but we outscored them 15-12 in the other eight bouts and got some momentum heading into the OACs next weekend."

Senior Drew Michel capped off his home career with a dramatic 6-4 decision over 2008 OAC runner-up Jim Nemunaitis.

Michel used a takedown with eight seconds left to secure the decision and improve to 14-16 on the year. 

Northern honored its four seniors, David Penny, A.J. Coleman, Collin Swick and Michel, in a ceremony prior to the match.

The Polar Bears will return to action next Saturday at the OAC Championships at Muskingum.

Ohio Northern 27, #23 John Carroll 12

125 - David Penny (ONU) won by forfeit
133 - Jeff Penny (ONU) dec. Kevin Nycz, 6-2
141 - Joe Spooner (ONU) won by forfeit
149 - Dan Mizener (JCU) dec. Mick Letcher, 12-7
157 - Luke Miller (ONU) pinned Drew Schafer (JCU), 6:10
165 - Devon Jurczak (JCU) dec. Billy Painter, 6-4 sv
174 - Travis Hammer (JCU) dec. Collin Swick, 3-2
184 - Matt Alexander (ONU) dec. Ben Adams, 3-2
197 - Drew Michel (ONU) dec. Jim Nemunaitis, 6-4
285 - Tim Lambert (JCU) dec. Bryan Dobransky, 6-0