The day-long Joe Parisi Open that hosted 634 total wrestlers came to a close as the Lions stood out with seven wrestlers placing including two winners.
Daniel Swan claimed the 125-class title while the 165-class belonged to
Kyle Jolas. Both competed in the Black Division which consisted of freshmen and sophomores. Two Lions placed in the Gold Division which was open to anyone.
After starting off with a bye into the second round, Swan dominated with a major decision and a technical fall to reach the quarterfinals of the 64-wrestler bracket. He then edged out Weston Cronan of Ouachita Baptist in a 6-5 nail-biting decision to advance to the semifinals to face Jacob Busing of Davenport. Swan recorded his first pin as a Lion at the 4:56 mark to reach the final. The freshman from Oak Forest, Ill. won a 7-4 decision over Tepra Wright from Ellsworth Community College to extend his undefeated-streak to 13 and capture his third title of the season. Swan also recorded his fourth major decision of the season in the third round.
Jolas entered the weekend with a 5-4 record before reeling off six wins in the 165-class. He posted his third and fourth pins of the season in the first two rounds. The sophomore continued his dominance with back-to-back technical falls to reach the semifinals. He then defeated Joseph Gunther of Iowa in an 8-2 decision to reach his first final. Jolas won the title against the second wrestler from Iowa in a 7-2 decision. His two technical fall victories eclipsed his total from last season.
After winning the Maryville Kaufman-Brand Open title in the 165 elite-class,
Terrel Wilbourn remained impressive throughout the day, collecting three decision victories in the Gold Division. However, the senior got injured in his semifinal victory, forcing him to forfeit the final.
Carlos Jacquez, freshman, finished fourth in the 125-class of the Black Division. He reached the quarterfinals after recording a pin-victory. In the consolation bracket, he won five victories in a row including three decisions, a technical fall, and a major decision. He fell short for third place barely in an 8-6 decision.
Jared McKindley represented the fourth Lion to reach a semifinal, placing fourth. He dominated in his first technical fall of the season along with his two decision-victories before falling. In pursuit for third place, McKindley posted another decision win, but lost a close battle by a 2-1 decision. He now has seven total victories this season.
David Hamil finished fifth place in the 184-class of the Black Division. He got his first technical fall as a Lion in the first round then won two decisions to make the quarterfinals. After fighting a close match, he lost to the eventual champion in a 5-2 decision. In the consolation, he collected two more victories before losing another close decision. He then won a 7-3 decision in his final match of the tournament, which marked his team-leading 15th victory of the season.
In the 184-class of the Gold Division,
Morgan Fitzgerald, senior, totaled three decision victories and a fifth place finish. He reached as far as the quarterfinals in the winner's bracket.
The Lions return to action on Saturday, December 5 as they travel to Kenosha, Wis. to compete in the Wisconsin Open. They will start at 9 am.
