FORT LAUDERDALE – Freshman Freddy Pimental led the Johns Hopkins wrestling team with a runner-up finish at the 2023 Citrus Invitational on Saturday. As a team, the Blue Jays finished in eighth place with 70 points.
 
In addition, Hopkins had two other wrestlers – Riley Parker (125) and Jake Hoffman (165) – finish in the top four at the invitational.
 
The Runner-Up
Pimental needed just 79 seconds to win by fall against Jarrod Pominville of Roanoke in the semifinals at 149. He lost in the championship match to Castleton's Elijah Cyr midway through the third period.
 
Top Four
Parker lost a tough decision, 9-8, in the semifinals to Roanoke's Mac Cafurello. He rebounded with a 5-4 win over Jayden Rael of Cornell College in the consolation semifinals. He then beat Adrian Samano of Ferrum, 10-6, to take third place.

Hoffman fell by decision, 6-4, to Ursinus' Shawn Machesano in the semifinals. He then beat David Over of Liberty by major decision, 14-4, in the consolation draw. Hoffman lost by decision, 4-1, to Connor Gregory of Castelton in the third-place match.
 
Other Finishers
Max Apsel lost late in the second round by fall round four of the consolation bracket at 141. He then won by decision, 11-6, over Jakob Zawosky of the Ozarks in the 15^th-place match.
 
Connor Powell lost by decision, 3-1, in the fourth round of the consolation at 157. In the 15^th-plae match, he won by fall late in the second to beat Jacob Caricato of Castleton.
 
Jacob Pomykata fell by decision, 2-0, to Trent Ray of Ferrum in the fourth round of the consolation draw at 285. He then won by forfeit in the 15^th-palce match.
 
What's Next
Hopkins returns to Baltimore and will host Elizabethtown on Friday, January 5. The Battle of the Blue Jays is slated for a 7:00 pm start in Goldfarb Gym.