SJU Wins Elmhurst’s Al Hanke Invitational

ELMHURST, Ill. – Nine Saint John’s wrestlers placed, including two champions, as the Johnnies won Elmhurst’s (Ill.) 12-team Al Hanke Invitational on Saturday, Jan. 12.

The Johnnies collected 32 victories, 17 of which were pins, to finish with 124 points. The host Bluejays claimed second at 121, followed by Illinois’ Chicago (94) and North Central (82).

Junior Noah Becker (Browerville, Minn.) registered three bonus-point victories at 133 pounds to win his fourth tournament of the season. His closest match, following an opening-round technical fall (17-2) and a pin in the semifinal, was the 12-2 major decision in the championship bout. Becker is now 19-2 on the year, including wins in 17 of his last 18 matches and eight consecutive.

Senior Luke Dodd (Apple Valley, Minn./Eastview) returned to the mat for the first time since Dec. 8 and posted a 3-0 record of his own to claim SJU’s other title at 197 pounds. He started the tournament with back-to-back pins and took the championship with an 11-6 decision. Dodd is now 9-3 this season.

Junior Anthony Hennen (Cologne, Minn./Norwood-Young America) won his first two bouts at 141 pounds, a pin and an 11-5 decision, but fell to fifth-ranked Jimmy McAuliffe of Elmhurst via fall in the title match.

Freshman Josh Clark (Fridley, Minn./Totino-Grace) added three wins to his ledger for a third-place finish at 125 pounds. All three wins were via bonus points, including a pin and a major decision in the consolation bracket.

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Junior Jerod Novak (Aitkin, Minn.) battled back from an opening-round loss to claim fourth at 157 pounds in what was his first competition of the season due to knee surgery in the fall. He posted four straight wins in the consolation bracket before falling in the third-place match by a 4-0 decision.

Three Johnnies finished fifth in their respective brackets. Junior Quincy Spiering (Mounds View, Minn./St. Thomas Academy) went 4-2 at heavyweight and freshman Jacob Scherber (Buffalo, Minn.) matched his 4-2 record at 174 pounds. Junior Dominic Skawiniak (Rogers, Minn.) took fifth with a 3-2 mark at 184 pounds, while junior Andrew Smith (Amery, Wis.) placed sixth at 141.

2019 Al Hanke Invitational Results

The Johnnies return home to host Division II Northern State (S.D.) for a 7 p.m. dual on Friday, Jan. 18, in Sexton Arena.

125
-Josh Clark (3-1 – Third Place)

133
-Noah Becker (3-0 – Champion)

141
-Anthony Hennen (2-1 – Second Place)
-Andrew Smith (2-3 – Sixth Place)

157
-Caleb Jungling (0-2)
-Jerod Novak (4-2 – Fourth Place)

165
-Joe Hennen (2-2)

174
-Dan Gainer (2-2)
-Jacob Scherber (4-2 – Fifth Place)

184
-Dan Gehrz (0-2)
-Dominic Skawiniak (3-2 – Fifth Place)

197
-Luke Dodd (3-0 – Champion)

285
-Quincy Spiering (4-2 – Fifth Place)

Check out Johnnies Wrestling at gojohnnies.com.

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Sami Zayn Returns To Monday Night RAW & Cuts A Heel Promo

Last night’s RAW would also see Sami Zayn make his return to the ring and challenge Finn Balor for The WWE Intercontinental Title. Balor would come out on top, retaining his title. This was Sami’s first match back in The WWE since June Of 2018 as he was forced to take some time off to undergo double shoulder surgery to repair both of his torn rotator cuffs. Sami’s last match before last night’s RAW was at Money In The Bank 2018 against then-Intercontinental Champion Bobby Lashley.
Sami may have returned as a babyface but he cut a post-match promo that saw him rip on fans and turn heel back once again.
You can check out the photos and the videos from Sami’s return at The Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York below:

OH HEY, @SamiZayn! #RAW pic.twitter.com/DR4AHDTrDQ
— WWE (@WWE) April 9, 2019

Sing it, @barclayscenter! @SamiZayn is BACK! #RAWAfterMania #RAW pic.twitter.com/wYWVxq8qpq
— WWE (@WWE) April 9, 2019

.@SamiZayn wants a match on the #RAWAfterMania? #ICChampion @FinnBalor is available.
Finn vs. Sami for the #ICTitle RIGHT NOW on #RAW! pic.twitter.com/oN67hbdukg
— WWE (@WWE) April 9, 2019

.@SamiZayn‘s got MOVES! #RAWAfterMania #RAW @FinnBalor pic.twitter.com/6aSSSCFxYo
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) April 9, 2019

.@SamiZayn is BACK and is battling @FinnBalor in an impromptu battle for the #ICTitle on #Raw! #RAWAfterMania pic.twitter.com/Alsbpe5sHC
— WWE (@WWE) April 9, 2019

How we missed the #BlueThunderBomb.?? #RAWAfterMania #RAW @SamiZayn @FinnBalor pic.twitter.com/LCwnnMomUJ
— WWE (@WWE) April 9, 2019

An incredible effort by a returning @SamiZayn, but @FinnBalor is STILL your #ICChampion! #AndStill #RAWAfterMania #RAW pic.twitter.com/E7mRCSGtN1
— WWE (@WWE) April 9, 2019

“I can honestly say, from the bottom of my heart, I did not miss this… and I did NOT miss any of YOU!” – @SamiZayn #RAWAfterMania #RAW pic.twitter.com/rvDDnOlhAg
— WWE Universe (@WWEUniverse) April 9, 2019

.@SamiZayn isn’t having it with the @WWEUniverse tonight on #Raw… #RAWAfterMania pic.twitter.com/OvItxcc0rO
— WWE (@WWE) April 9, 2019

“The right thing to do, every single week, is to hold each and every one of you accountable… See you in Hell.”@SamiZayn is on a mission to put the @WWEUniverse in its place. #RAWAfterMania #RAW pic.twitter.com/2Xe7XDRf4o
— WWE (@WWE) April 9, 2019

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