ATHENS, Ohio — The very first dual of the Bellarmine University wrestling team's season required a down-to-the-wire finish.

On Saturday in the Ohio Showcase at the Convocation Center, senior Justin Hoffer secured a 20-17 victory for Bellarmine over host Ohio after triumphing in what evolved into a winner-take-all bout at heavyweight.

With the contest tied at 17, Hoffer defeated Wyatt Schmitt 5-1 to lock up the team win for the Knights (1-0). It was nip-and-tuck dual, as Ohio (0-1) matched Bellarmine with five individual wins.

The Knights accounted for the lone fall. It came at 157, as sophomore Isaac Johns scored big after pinning Dominic Serio. Senior Trayce Eckman also posted a big number with a 20-4 tech fall over Prestyn Parks at 141.

Bellarmine never trailed after Eckman's win, but Ohio did work its way back to even with the Knights at 17 after taking a decision at 197, setting up the decisive showdown at 285.

Sophomore Joe Calvin won the opening bout with a 4-1 decision over Brayden Teunissen. Junior Jack Ring also notched an 8-1 decision over Adonis Bonar.

Bellarmine will travel to national power Iowa for an 8 p.m. (ET) dual Friday.

Bellarmine 20, Ohio 17
125: Joe Calvin (BU) over Brayden Teunissen (OHIO) (Dec 4-1)
133: Konner Lambers (OHIO) over Shay Korhorn (BU) (MD 13-4)
141: Trayce Eckman (BU) over Prestyn Parks (OHIO) (TF 20-4 4:59)
149: Carson Weber (OHIO) over AJ Rallo (BU) (Dec 3-0)
157: Isaac Johns (BU) over Dominic Serio (OHIO) (Fall 5:52)
165: Max Hermes (OHIO) over Noah Hall (BU) (MD 9-0)
174: Jack Ring (BU) over Adonis Bonar (OHIO) (Dec 8-1)
184: Jeremy Olszko (OHIO) over Gavin Ricketts (BU) (Dec 5-0)
197: Drew Linciome (OHIO) over Andrew Liber (BU) (Dec 5-3)
285: Justin Hoffer (BU) over Wyatt Schmitt (OHIO) (Dec 5-1)

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