Spring Break
Hluschak finishes All-American career, Mytych sets record
Brett Fischer
Issue date: 4/4/08 Section: Sports
Ryan Hluschak will leave his mark on Drexel as an All-American and one of the greatest wrestlers in Drexel history. Meanwhile, with a win in the NCAA Championships, Steve Mytych set Drexel's single-season win record with 38.
Both wrestlers had successful seasons as they made the NCAA Championship this season for the third time in their careers.
Hluschak acquired All-American status last season after upsetting Brian Stith in overtime, 3-1 at the NCAA Championships. He became only the second All-American wrestler, despite needing a wild card berth just to advance to the NCAA Tournament. This year, he was a favorite going into the Tournament, but lost in the first round.
Hluschak earned second place at the CAA Championships, which clinched a spot in the NCAA Tournament. Mytych finished third, but got a wild card berth.
In the first round of the Championships, Mytych and Hluschak both lost close decisions. Mytych fell 3-0 to fourth-seeded Tanner Gardner of Stanford and Hluschak lost 4-3 to Cornell's Jordan Leen, an eighth seed.
"It was frustrating," Hluschak said. "It's one of those things that I didn't think about too much at the time. You only have so much time to do something. When you have two All-Americans going at it, you should let the guys wrestle. Each of them knows every move is crucial and every slip up is costly. Things didn't fall in my corner this year like I did last year. Last year I was winning those one-point matches. But it didn't happen this."
However, they bounced back, advancing to the consolation bracket.
Hluschak knocked off Chase Pami, the ninth seed from Cal Poly, 3-1 in overtime. Mytych won 1-0 over Jasen Borshoff of American, giving him his 38th win of the season, which broke Mike Carroll's single-season record at Drexel.
Hluschak eventually lost to Iowa State's Cyler Sanderson 6-3.
"It was one of those things that are out of your control," Hluschak said. "I worked hard every day in the room. When you do those things, you can walk away peacefully. I've done well for myself. I have All-American status under my belt."
Both wrestlers had successful seasons as they made the NCAA Championship this season for the third time in their careers.
Hluschak acquired All-American status last season after upsetting Brian Stith in overtime, 3-1 at the NCAA Championships. He became only the second All-American wrestler, despite needing a wild card berth just to advance to the NCAA Tournament. This year, he was a favorite going into the Tournament, but lost in the first round.
Hluschak earned second place at the CAA Championships, which clinched a spot in the NCAA Tournament. Mytych finished third, but got a wild card berth.
In the first round of the Championships, Mytych and Hluschak both lost close decisions. Mytych fell 3-0 to fourth-seeded Tanner Gardner of Stanford and Hluschak lost 4-3 to Cornell's Jordan Leen, an eighth seed.
"It was frustrating," Hluschak said. "It's one of those things that I didn't think about too much at the time. You only have so much time to do something. When you have two All-Americans going at it, you should let the guys wrestle. Each of them knows every move is crucial and every slip up is costly. Things didn't fall in my corner this year like I did last year. Last year I was winning those one-point matches. But it didn't happen this."
However, they bounced back, advancing to the consolation bracket.
Hluschak knocked off Chase Pami, the ninth seed from Cal Poly, 3-1 in overtime. Mytych won 1-0 over Jasen Borshoff of American, giving him his 38th win of the season, which broke Mike Carroll's single-season record at Drexel.
Hluschak eventually lost to Iowa State's Cyler Sanderson 6-3.
"It was one of those things that are out of your control," Hluschak said. "I worked hard every day in the room. When you do those things, you can walk away peacefully. I've done well for myself. I have All-American status under my belt."
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