The Blue Streaks now have a state of the art facility to improve and hone their skills.

The renovation occurred in the space formerly known as the gym annex. The space is now named the David R. Meuse Wrestling Room, located just above the Tony DeCarlo Varsity Center.

Meuse, a graduate from the JCU class of 1967 and the room’s namesake, said in a statement that he contributed to the wrestling program because of the influence it had on his life.

“My education at John Carroll has served me so well, not only in business, but also in my community work. I have a strong belief in value-oriented leadership, focusing on family, community and business.

“I learned those values at John Carroll. I was happy to be part of the original wrestling team at John Carroll and to be coached by Tony DeCarlo,” said Meuse.

The new facility is two stories high. It features a cardiovascular platform stocked with 12 cardiovascular machines, 12 wrestling circles, climbing ropes, a sound system, film room and a temperature controlled heating and cooling system.

It is a benefit to the team that the cardio and mat work will be able to be done in the same room. The entire project cost about $425,000 dollars.

“A dream come true,” said head coach Kerry Volkmann about the new practice facility.

“There were a great many former wrestlers who have remained close to our program at John Carroll that realized what the needs were with regard to a proper training facility,” said Volkmann. “I am proud to say that the entire project was funded by alumni, friends and generous donors.”

After finishing last season with an overall record of 10-6 and 3-3 in the Ohio Athletic Conference, the team enters this season with optimism.

It is an extremely young team that could potentially have eight freshmen in the starting lineup.

“I am excited about the kids we have in the room. A big thing for the team will be depth,” said Volkmann. “Staying healthy for the entire season will be important for our success.”

This season, the team will turn to the leadership of senior Ben Adams to set the tone.

Adams is a two-time All-OAC Champion and a two-time Division III national qualifier.

“Ben Adams is one of the best in the country and we are thinking this may be his year,” said Volkmann. “Ben is coming into the season healthy for the first time and got off to a great start at the first tournament taking first place in his weight class.”

The Blue Streaks have only the National Catholic Tournament under their belt this season and Adams won his weight class while the team placed fifth.

The team has adapted to the new training facility well. The team hopes that with the favor the donors did for them, they can return the favor with an OAC Championship.

“Knowing all of the money funding the project came from alumni and donors who care about the program, it really raises the bar for the team and makes us strive and work even harder for a championship,” said Adams.

Head coach Kristie Maravalli returns three seniors from last year’s team and has only five game-tested players. However, she has the luxury of having two proven All-OAC performers in senior forward Caitlin Sureck and junior guard Lee Jennings.

“The team finished last season on a positive note,” said Kristie Maravalli. “We had to battle a few injuries during the middle of the season, but we finished strong winning five of our last six games.”

Maravalli will turn to the senior leadership of Sureck, Laura Gruber and Whitney Hamilton.

“The seniors have been excellent team leaders on and off the court,” said Maravalli. “With Sureck, Gruber and Hamilton all being significant contributors to the team for a few years now, they know what it takes to win and they bring that attitude to the court.”

The Blue Streaks have an athletic and fast team this year, and they plan to use this to their advantage.  In particular, they have some of the faster guards in the OAC.

“We must kick it up a notch this season. Our best asset is our speed. We plan to crank up the pressure on our opponent, both offensively and defensively this year,” said Maravalli.

Maravalli will also look for an offensive spark this season from All-OAC guard  Lee Jennings, who is very optimistic about this year’s squad.

“The team will have to have great focus for the entire season,” said Jennings. “We will need to keep our eyes on the goal in order to be conference champions.”

The loss of Rachael Price to graduation is a void the Blue Streaks will need to fill. Last season Price was the team’s top three-point threat and earned All-OAC accolades. Her minutes will need to be filled, and Maravalli said she will look to sophomore Taylor Christner to step up and be that three-point shooter.

Christner looks to be accepting that role nicely thus far as she hit a last second, game winning three-pointer during the Blue Streaks scrimmage with Notre Dame College.

Sureck, a player that has finished in the top three in blocks and rebounding in each of her first three seasons, will be more involved in the offense this year. With this being her final season, she has big goals.

“To reach that next level, we need to win our games [against] the top teams in the conference. We cannot settle for just winning the games we are supposed to win,” she said.  “I am confident that we can accomplish our goals.”

The season opener for the Blue Streaks is an away game with The College of Wooster on Nov. 16. They have a much anticipated conference and home opener with crosstown rival Baldwin-Wallace College on Dec. 2 at the Tony DeCarlo Varsity Center.