This past Saturday, Nov. 2, the Case Western Reserve University wrestling team kicked off the 2024-25 season at the Adrian Invitational, traveling to Adrian, Michigan, to compete against 10 other teams. The meet marked the collegiate debut of Spartan first-years Chase Crutchley, Alexander Greene Barrios and Robert Minden and saw CWRU place third out of 11 competing schools with 115.5 team points.
Going into the meet, third-year Art Martinez—who competed in the 133-pound bracket—felt very confident about his chances.
“I had been wrestling at 141 lbs for the last two years and made the decision to drop down a weight class over the summer. I lost the weight and felt really fresh going into the tournament, so I was not concerned with how the cut would affect my wrestling,” he stated.
CWRU’s strongest result at the meet came from third-year Aidan Gassel, who placed first in the 197-pound bracket. His four victories are as follows: 16-1 in 3:35, 18-3 in 5:18, a 10-0 shutout to reach the finals and 8-2 by decision to win the bracket. This marked Gassel’s second bracket victory of his career.
Meanwhile, Crutchley advanced to the finals of the 174-pound bracket. He began the day with a 4-1 decision before achieving a narrow win in the semifinals with a 5-4 tiebreaker thanks to a last-minute escape 22 seconds into overtime, but he ultimately lost in the final match of the bracket—nonetheless a strong result for his first-ever collegiate meet.
Similarly, Martinez reached the finals of the 133-pound bracket. He started his run with a fall in 2:02, his first of the season. This was followed up by a quarterfinal 20-2 win in 4:38 and a 16-7 win by major decision in the semifinals. In the finals, Martinez lost 13-7 after getting ridden for a full minute.
“Being ridden for such a long time in my finals match was extremely unexpected. I don’t get ridden for such a long time very often so it was humbling that it happened in the first tournament,” said Martinez. “It was exciting though that I got to face such a tough region opponent so early on in the year, and if I fix a couple things I know I will be able to win down the line when I see him again.”
Fourth-place finishes were achieved by three Spartans in their respective weight categories. Second-year Mathew Gummere went 4-2 in the 184-pound bracket; he also achieved three pins, the most out of any CWRU wrestler at the meet. Second-year Dillon O’Keefe went 3-2 with two falls in the 149-pound bracket, while third-year E.J. Alizio split four matches in the 125-pound bracket.
In addition, three other Spartans placed in the top eight at the meet. Greene Barrios placed sixth in the 133-pound bracket and achieved his first career win, third-year John Conover placed fifth in the 157-pound bracket with two wins, with one win by fall, while second-year Louka Babic finished sixth in the 174-pound bracket: He achieved two victories and one pin. Additionally, second-year Mike Valerino earned his first win by fall of the season while competing in the 141-pound bracket.
Martinez reflected on CWRU’s overall performance at the meet.
“Overall it was a really good first tournament for the team, and I’m extremely excited about the trajectory of our season,” he noted. “I think our team this year is top to bottom the best it has ever been during my time at CWRU. Our schedule is tough this year but I think this is the year we can have our first [national qualifier] which hasn’t been done at CWRU in over 10 years.”
The Spartans will look to achieve further success as they host the Bob Del Rosa Ohio Intercollegiate Open on Sunday, Nov. 10, inside the Veale Convocation, Recreation and Athletic Center. The first matches are set to begin at 10 a.m.