Dec. 19, 2010
DEKALB, Ill. - The Northern Illinois University wrestling team split its dual meet with Findlay and Northwestern at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville Sunday afternoon.
The Huskies suffered a 38-0 setback to No. 9 Northwestern, while defeating Findlay, 25-6.
Facing their third Big Ten opponent this season, and probably the toughest of the three, Northwestern proved to be too much for the Huskies (2-4). NIU was unable able to score points against in 10 matches against the Wildcats. The closest match for The Huskies came at 165 where Matt Mougin (Columbus Junction, Iowa/Columbus Community) suffered a 4-2 loss to Kevin Bialka.
"The first dual, I think we came out a little flat," NIU head coach Dave Grant said. "We had some key matches where our best guys were going up against quite a few of their [the Wildcats] top ranked individuals. They're a pretty tough team. There are a couple things we need to work on.
"We've had a lot of good competition this season. This was our third Big Ten team we've faced this season. By wrestling quality wrestlers, you'll get tougher. That's what we want our guys to do."
Northern Illinois rebounded in the second match of the day, winning eight of the 10 bouts against Findlay. The Huskies won the first five matches with Vince Castillo (Western Springs, Ill./Lyons Township) scoring the biggest victory for NIU on the afternoon. Castillo posted a 14-0 major decision victory of the Oilers' Chad Channel at 141. Bryan Deutsch (Columbia City, Ind./Columbia City), competing at 157, posted a 5-2 win over Adam Walters.
Junior Brad Dieckhaus (St. Charles, Mo./Francis Howell Central) recorded a 6-0 shutout over Ashton Brown at 184. Zach Benzio (Connellsville, Pa./Connellsville Area) posted a 9-3 victory over his former Huskie teammate Mason True at 174. Seniors Tristen DeShazer (Wichita, Kan./Wichita West) and Dakota Greenhaw contributed to the victory with wins at 141 and 285 respectively. Freshman Nick Smith (Ida, Mich./Ida) opened the match with a victory at 125, while redshirt freshman Kevin Fanta (Lake Zurich, Ill./Lake Zurich) took the victory at 133.
The Huskies return to the mat Dec. 29 when Northern Illinois competes in the prestigious Midlands Championships at Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill.
#9 Northwestern 38 Northern Illinois 0
125 - Brandon Precin (NW) pinned Nick Smith (NIU), 2:43
133 - Levi Mele (NW) def. Kevin Fanta (NIU), 9-5
141 - Kaleb Friedley (NW) def. Tristen DeShazer (NIU), 6-1
149 - Andrew Nadhir (NW) def. Vince Castillo (NIU), 12-4
157 - Jason Welch (NW) pinned Bryan Deutsch (NIU), 0:37
165 - Kevin Bialka (NW) def. Matt Mougin (NIU), 4-2
174 - Brian Roddy (NW) def. Zach Benzio (NIU), 6-0
184 - Aaron Jones (NW) def. Brad Dieckhaus (NIU), 8-1
197 - John Schoen (NW) def. Mike Lukowski (NIU), 9-1
285 - Ben Kuhar (NW) def. Dakota Greenhaw (NIU), 7-2
Northern Illinois 25 Findlay 6
125 - Nick Smith (NIU) def. Ben Sergent (UF), 7-5
133 - Kevin Fanta (NIU) def. Jan Ulinski (UF), 9-3
141 - Tristen DeShazer (NIU) def. Chris Andrews (UF), 9-3
149 - Vince Castillo (NIU) maj. dec. Chad Channel (UF), 14-0
157 - Bryan Deutsch (NIU) def. Adam Walters (UF), 5-2
165 - Michael Lybarger (UF) def. Matt Mougin (NIU), 7-1
174 - Zach Benzio (NIU) def. Mason True (UF), 9-3
184 - Brad Dieckhaus (NIU) def. Ashton Brown (UF), 6-0
197 - Daniel Stevenson (UF) def. Mike Lukowski (NIU), 2-0
285 - Dakota Greenhaw (NIU) def. Matthew Clum (UF), 9-4
-NIU-
