Junior Josef Johnson, the third Crimson wrestler to advance to NCAAs, took a more humdrum route. This season, Johnson was the only returning team member with NCAA experience. Hrentered the weekend as the five seed—tied for Ladnier as the highest of any Harvard wrestler.
In the opening round, Johnson routed the Eagles’ J. Salvi in a 12-3 major decision. Soon followed a 7-3 loss to a Navy opponent, but that result didn’t matter—Johnson had done enough to head to St. Louis.
“Joe is a staple of consistency,” Ott said. “[He’s] just winning the matches he needs to and qualifying.”
Not everyone experienced such success.
Freshman A.J. Jaffe had impressed teammates all year with a hardworking attitude and corresponding results. He started the weekend as the sixth-best wrestler at 141 lbs. and handled his first opponent.
However, Jaffe suffered a 10-8 defeat in his next bout, leaving him just outside the NCAA bubble.
“He did everything right all year,” Ott said. “He’s the best teammate you could ask for…. I feel for A.J., but he has three years ahead of him.”
Senior Kanon Dean also flirted with a berth only to fall short. Wrestling a five seed from Drexel, the 184-lb. veteran dropped a 3-2 decision in a down-to-the-wire bout.
“There are definitely some guys that are a little bit down on the way the season ended,” Ott said. “This is something that will have to sit with you for the next seven or eight months before next season starts. And for some, the seniors, it’s the last chance competing.”
No other Crimson athlete escaped the first round. Freshman Connor Sakmar (125 lbs.) lost 16-1 by technical fall, junior Logan Kirby (197 lbs.) suffered a fall, and freshman Kyle Bierdumpfel dropped a 14-4 major decision.
Meanwhile, Colby Knight and Nick Gajdzik—a pair of seniors—ended their Harvard careers with defeats by decision, with respective scores of 5-3 and 5-2.
Still, as Ladnier maintained, the veterans’ legacy lies in their ability to shape team culture.
“The leadership has been second-to-none. [Johnson and Ott] have been amazing role models,” Ladnier said. “They’re really approachable guys…. They pass leadership to other people and exude confidence.”
—Staff writer Sam Danello can be reached at sam.danello@thecrimson.com.