Seven Indiana wrestlers placed in the top five at the Cleveland State Open on Saturday in their respective weight classes.
Other teams from the Big Ten conference at the open included No. 4 Michigan, Michigan State, No. 16 Northwestern, No. 7 Ohio State and No. 19 Purdue.
Indiana had four first place finishes at the tournament. No. 12 ranked junior DJ Washington had the best performance of the day for Indiana, winning the bracket in the 184-pound weight class.
After moving from the 174-pound class to the 184-pound class this season, Washington has been undefeated in his weight class, with a 9-0 record. Washington pinned his first three opponents of the day and eight of his nine opponents throughout the season.
“He has thrived since moving into that weight class,” head coach Angel Escobedo said. “He had a big summer and is able to wrestle comfortably without cutting muscle.”
No. 27 ranked sophomore Jacob Moran won in the 125-pound class and started the day with a 14-7 decision over University at Buffalo freshman Patrick Adams. Moran then won the quarterfinal match in a 7-6 decision against Central Michigan University senior Brock Bergelin. At the semifinal, Moran won against Cleveland State University freshman Logan Heil in a 7-4 decision. In the championship round, Moran defeated University of Pittsburgh sophomore Colton Camacho in a 7-4 decision.
Junior Nick Willham was victorious for Indiana in the 197-pound class bracket. His day started off with a 3-1 decision win against Michigan freshman Brendin Yatooma. At the quarterfinal, Willham defeated Northwestern first-year Evan Bates in a 6-3 decision to move onto the semifinal. In a 7-0 decision, Willham defeated Ohio State sophomore Tyler Stein. Willham won the bracket in a 4-3 decision against Central Michigan senior Aaron Bolo.
“Overall, I’m really proud of these guys and the way they fought,” Escobedo said. “Willham and Moran both had big days and are off to 8-1 starts to the season.”
Indiana had four wrestlers at the event in the 157-pound class, the most in any class. Sophomore Derek Gilcher had the most successful day in that class for Indiana, winning the bracket.
Gilcher’s first match of the season was a sudden 6-4 victory against Northwestern first-year Aiden Vandenbush. Gilcher then defeated Cleveland State freshman Douglas Terry in a 5-2 decision and went on to defeat. After that, Gilcher defeated Kent State University freshman Aaron Ferguson via a 6-1 decision in the quarterfinal of the 157-pound class bracket at the open.
Gilcher then faced his teammate Indiana freshman Zack Rotkvich and Gilcher defeated him in an 11-3 major decision. Finally, Gilcher defeated Cleveland State freshman Daniel Patten in a 3-2 decision to win the 157-pound class bracket.
“(The) 157 has been one of the classes we have been trying to figure out who our guy will be,” Escobedo said. “Gilcher’s performance at the open really solidified himself as that guy for us.”
The 133-pound class had a last-minute change in the roster. Freshman Noah Gochberg wrestled in place of No. 18 graduate student Brock Hudkins, who was unable to make the event. Gochberg won his first match against Buffalo freshman Mason Bush before losing to Michigan graduate student Drew Mattin by technical fall. Gochberg’s day ended falling to Cleveland State freshman Jake Manley.
Alongside the four wrestlers who won their brackets, junior Jacob Bullock finished second place in the heavyweight class bracket. Rotkich finished in third place at the 157-pound bracket and junior Cade Rooks finished fifth in the 141-pound class.
Indiana’s next match will be Dec. 29 and 30 at the Ken Kraft Midlands Championships hosted by Northwestern in Hoffman Estates, Illinois.
