The Hopkins wrestling team won one of two matches during the Centennial Conference dual match that occurred on Saturday, Jan. 24 at the Goldfarb Gymnasium. The Blue Jays defeated Washington and Lee University, 30-16, before falling to the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA), 21-16.
USMMA also defeated Gettysburg, going 2-0. Gettysburg defeated Washington and Lee as well, going 1-1.
The match between Hopkins and USMMA was the closest of the day. USMMA won a decision, breaking a 10-10 tie at 174 and 184. They got a technical fall at 197, leading 21-10. The Jays won 285 by forfeit, bringing the final score to 21-16.
In the 125 weight class, Hopkins No. 5 nationally ranked senior Paul Bewak won a 10-2 decision against freshman Michael Mui, who is ranked just outside the top 10 nationally by d3wrestle.com. With characteristic aggressiveness, Bewak jumped out to an 8-0 lead by early in the third period and then used a late escape and a point of riding time to secure the win by major decision. Bewak, one of the most decorated wrestlers in school and conference history, won both matches, improving his career record to 117-22 and his season record to 17-4.
Five forfeit wins for the Jays against Washington and Lee provided all the points Hopkins would need, buoying the Jays to a win in that portion of the meet.
Besides Bewak, senior Christian Salera and junior Welles Sakmar won both of their matches. Junior Evan Krumheuer won his match against Washington and Lee by forfeit and lost against USMMA’s Tom Healy, 8-6. Freshman Connor Mauriello lost his match against Zach Papin of Washington and Lee, 3-1.
Freshman Tommy Grifa won his first match by forfeit. Sophomore Alex McLaughlin lost his match against USMMA’s Nathan Twito, 15-3. Sophomore Jared Forman lost his bout against Washington and Lee, 5-3, and his match against USMMA, 3-2.
Senior Evan Johnson lost his Washington and Lee match, 6-2, and his USMMA match, 4-1. Sophomore Kory Johnson was defeated by by Evan Kueffner of Washington and Lee, 12-3, and Ricky Fisher, 22-6. Sophomore Ellis Flannery lost his Washington and Lee match, 5-2, and won his USMMA match by forfeit.
The Hopkins wrestling team’s overall record now stands at 2-11, with a Centennial Conference record of 1-2. Three out of four Hopkins seniors took home victories on Friday, providing a bittersweet moment in what would be their final home appearances as Jays.
The Jays prepare to take on New York University, Stevens Institute of Technology and Mount Saint Vincent on Friday, Jan. 31.
