This past weekend, the Hopkins wrestling team participated in a back-to-back-to-back triple-header, with three matches against different teams. On Jan. 19, the Blue Jays took on the Washington & Lee University Generals (40-14) and came out victorious at Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania.
The following day, Hopkins again travelled to Gettysburg and faced both No. 20 Stevens College Ducks (43-0) and No. 22 New York University Bobcats (27-10). Despite a strong showing from the Blue Jays, they were not able to repeat the previous day’s success, and fell to both teams on the day.
With the victory on Friday and the two defeats on Saturday, the Blue Jays now have a record of 2-4 on the season overall and 2-3 in the Centennial Conference.
The first match of the weekend took place on Friday, as Hopkins topped Washington & Lee 40-14. Hopkins was able to get one of the three major decisions, as senior 125 Evan Krumheuer defeated General freshmen 125 Ethan Hartman (4-0).
Washington & Lee claimed the other two major decisions, as freshmen Zach Bylykbashi defeated freshmen Brandon Tran (4-4). Hopkins also went on to win six matches against Washington & Lee via forfeit, outscoring the General in matches decided by forfeit.
This allowed the Blue Jays to claim victory over Washington & Lee and was followed by an exhibition match between Gettysburg Bullets’ junior Camden Stoops and Hopkins freshmen Hayden Good, in which the Gettysburg junior claimed the win. With the victory over W&L, Hopkins improves to 19-15 in all competitions against Washington & Lee, with the Blue Jays having won the past 15 consecutive meeting with the school.
Having gotten a night’s rest, the Blue Jays returned to Gettysburg on Saturday to take on their first match-up of the day, New York University. Krumheuer was again at center stage for the Blue Jays, as he handed Hopkins a victory in the first bout of the match-up.
He was able defeat NYU junior Wayne Yuan (0-3) and give Hopkins a good start in the competition. NYU was able to seize momentum and win the next five bouts straight, with one match ending by way of major decision.
This was especially problematic for the Jays because NYU was able to seize bonus point wins at the 141, 157 and 165 weight marks to pull ahead with a 21-3 lead. Furthermore, NYU sophomore Raymond Jazikoff defeated Hopkins sophomore Tommy Grifa (15-3) to gift the Bobcats a major decision score.
Hopkins was able to get a major decision as well, coming by way of junior Jared Forman defeating Junior John Messinger (21-7). After a few regular decisions went to both teams, Hopkins was able to pull the deficit back to 24-10, courtesy of a win coming by way of forfeit from Hopkins freshmen Miles Gilliam against senior Kyzen Smith at 197.
However, NYU freshmen Kyle Paterson was able to seal the victory for the Bobcats with a 3-2 regular decision victory over Hopkins freshmen Hayden Good at 285.
Following the match, Hopkins competed in two exhibition matches against NYU, with Freshmen William Lewis and Anders Bright (JHU) taking on freshmen Austin Oliver and junior Adrian Herrera (NYU), respectively. NYU was able to pull out victories in both exhibition matches by way of pinfall.
Later on in the day, Hopkins took on rivals No. 20 Stevens College for their third and final game of the weekend. Stevens was able to sweep Hopkins in each competition to achieve a comprehensive 43-0 victory over the Blue Jays.
The Ducks won all ten bouts: Four victories came by way of major decision, three by way of pinfall and three by regular decision.
Hopkins will return to the mats on Sunday, Feb. 6 with competition at home. The Blue Jays will take on the Muhlenberg Collge Mules, The United States Merchant Marine Academy, and Ursinus College Bears at the Goldfarb Gym on the Homewood Campus.
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