Dec. 4, 2008

Complete Results in PDF Format

EVANSTON, Ill. - Despite a valiant effort that included a sensational pin by redshirt sophomore Tristen DeShazer, the Northern Illinois wrestling team fell, 27-12, to No. 17 Northwestern, Thursday night at Welsh-Ryan Arena.

"We said upfront performance was the key here," NIU Head Coach Dave Grant said. "We gave a great effort and I'm proud of how hard the guys wrestled, because that's what we were keying on."

In the most exciting match of the night, DeShazer (Wichita, Kan./Wichita West) executed a pin over Bobby Joyce with just 20 seconds left to earn six points for the Huskies at 133 pounds. DeShazer led 10-5 at the time of the fall, but was in bottom position after a takedown by Joyce. In an attempt to escape, DeShazer rolled Joyce over and stuck him to the mat to give NIU a 6-3 lead.

"Tristen is on a roll with his pins, that's seven on the year," Grant noted.

True freshman Steve Zimmerman (Chicago, Ill./St. Rita) was another bright spot for the Huskies. After a scoreless first period with Northwestern senior Marty Gould, Zimmerman used a quick reversal to open the second. The move gave him a 2-0 lead, which he never relinquished. Zimmerman followed with a takedown in the third to move ahead 4-0. With riding time, he won 5-0 and remains undefeated at 12-0 this season. In the team standings, the win put NIU on top, 9-6.

"That's a freshman beating a senior, and that's notable," Grant said of Zimmerman's shutout win. "Steve is a smart wrestler, and he's stingy about giving up points."

The Huskies and Wildcats entered intermission all-square at 9-9. In the first match back from the break, wrestled at 165 pounds, sophomore John Odeen (Coal City, Ill./Coal City) and NU junior Kyle Bertin entered the final period tied 2-2. Odeen turned aggressive in the third, executing two takedowns, including a double-leg in which he slammed Bertin to the mat. The scores gave Odeen an 8-4 win and put the Huskies in front 12-9.

"John Odeen really stepped up for us," Grant said. "He's a tall wrestler, so he fills into that 165-pound class really nice."

In the next bout, true freshman Derrick Yant (Delta, Ohio/Pike-Delta-York) lost a narrow 5-4 decision to Robert Kellog, tying the match for the third time. 2007 national champion Jake Herbert pinned Northern Illinois' Justin Carlson (Gurnee, Ill./Warren Township) in the following bout to give Northwestern an 18-12 lead, which the Wildcats never gave back.

Yant's loss was one of several close decisions for the Huskies. At 141, redshirt sophomore Vince Castillo (Western Springs, Ill./Lyons Township) fell 3-2. Sophomore Brad Dieckhaus (St. Charles, Mo./Francis Howell Central), wrestling at 197 pounds after weighing in at 184 pounds, lost a 4-2 decision to John Schoen.

"We had close matches at 174 and 197, those were pivotal points to try and win the dual meet," Grant said. "Both came down to the last minute."

Grant was also impressed with the outing of true freshman Izzy Montemayor, who lost an 11-4 decision to All-American and third-ranked Brandon Precin in a match that was closer than the score.

"Izzy gave a really good performance against a really tough wrestler," Grant said. "We're starting three true freshman, and those guys won the night in effort."

The Huskies return to action Saturday, Dec. 13 at 3 p.m. to face Loras at Sycamore High School.

12-4-08 - Northwestern 27, Northern Illinois 12
125 - No. 3 Precin (NU) dec. Montemayor (NIU) 11-4; NU leads 3-0
133 - DeShazer (NIU) fall Joyce (NU) 6:40; NIU leads 6-3
141 - No. 8 Sulzer (NU) dec. Castillo (NIU) 3-2; Tie 6-6
149 - Zimmerman (NIU) dec. Gould (NU) 5-0; NIU leads 9-6
157 - No .15 Welch (NU) dec. Deutsch (NIU) 5-0; Tie 9-9
165 - Odeen (NIU) dec. Bertin (NU) 8-4; NIU leads 12-9
174 - Kellog (NU) dec. Yant (NIU) 5-4; Tie 12-12
184 - No. 2 Herbert (NIU) fall Carlson (NIU) 1:20; NU leads 18-12
197 - Schoen (NU) dec. Dieckhaus (NIU) 4-2; NU leads 21-12
285 - Rands (NU) fall Saevre (NIU) 1:22; NU wins 27-12