Still, the sound of bagpipes and the sight of over 200 graduates who could be counted as former wrestlers, coaches, teammates, friends and fans of the program -- and the man -- had to be overwhelming.
So, too, was the effort of his team, charged up from the dramatic beginning of the night. The Blue Streaks used four forfeits, three pins and a major decision to power their way to a 46-0 victory over visiting Muskingum.
The night began with a celebration of the six-member senior class. As soon that recognition ended, another one started with a steady parade of alumnus who came back home to John Carroll to show their support for their coach for the next journey in his life. They descended the stairs of the DeCarlo Varsity Center donning cowboy hats, and at the end of the ceremony, gave "Coach V" one last tip of the hat.
Even with all of this celebration, there was still a match to be wrestled as the Blue Streaks hosted the Muskingum Fighting Muskies.
John Carroll led 6-0 after a double forfeit at 125 and a forfeit accepted by Sal Corrao at 133. John Connick used a series of takedowns in the second period to power his way to a 13-3 victory at 141. That was the only match of the night to go the distance.
Seniors Dan Mirman, Jake Vincent and Terner Gott accepted forfeits at 149, 157 and 165 to put JCU ahead, 28-0. That set up three consecutive bouts with the remaining three members of the senior class to conclude the night.
Matt Tusick started off the 174-pound bout with a quick takedown then proceeded to accumulate ten back points to take a commanding 12-0 lead after the first period. He then dialed up a second period pin to increase the Blue Streaks lead to 34-0. Danny McNamara followed with a pin in 42 seconds at 184.
JCU intentionally used a double forfeit at 197 so senior Todd Gaydosh could get one last match at home. Even though he wrestled up a weight class, Gaydosh was the dominant wrestler in the bout. He notched two takedowns in the first period to take a 4-1 lead going into the second period. Gaydosh got another takedown on Miller and added another three back points. Then Gaydosh went in to finish it, pinning Miller with 55.8 seconds left to go in the second period.
The shutout was John Carroll's first since a 41-0 win over Wilmington on December 3, 2002.
The Blue Streaks are now 6-8 overall and 1-3 in the Ohio Athletic Conference.
Results:
125: Double Forfeit
133: Sal Corrao (JCU) over (MUSK), Forfeit
141: John Connick (JCU) over Ben Barnhart-Sullivan (MUSK), MD 13-3
149: Dan Mirman (JCU) over (MUSK), Forfeit
157: Jake Vincent (JCU) over (MUSK), Forfeit
165: Terner Gott (JCU) over (MUSK), Forfeit
174: Matt Tusick (JCU) over Caleb Cox (MUSK), Fall 3:40
184: Danny McNamara (JCU) over (MUSK), Fall 0:42
197: Double Forfeit
285: Todd Gaydosh (JCU) over Grayson Miller (MUSK), Fall 4:05
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