Feb. 5, 2010
YPSILANTI, Mich. - The Northern Illinois University wrestling team opened its weekend of two Mid-American Conference matches in three days with a 21-15 victory over Eastern Michigan at Bowen Field House Friday night.
"We got a pretty good head start on these guys, starting at 125," NIU Head coach Dave Grant said. "We grinded out some pretty good matches. The guys came out to wrestle tonight and they competed hard. It was a good night for us."
Izzy Montemayor (Barrington, Ill./Grant Community) got things going for the Huskies, (9-7, 1-2) picking up where he left off last Friday night, recording his second straight pin, disposing of Eastern Michigan's Greg Egbert in 3:24 at 125. EMU won the second match of the night, but Northern Illinois responded by winning the next four matches to take a commanding 18-3 lead.
"Izzy's been wrestling well," Grant said. "He wrestled well last Friday. He's starting to come into his own."
Vince Castillo (Western Springs, Ill./Lyons Township) defeated Corey Phillips at 141 by a 6-3 decision, while senior Dan Ruettiger (Joliet, Ill./Providence) continued his solid season with a 5-0 victory over David Pienaar at 149. Bryan Deutsch (Columbia City, Ind./Columbia City) earned a 1-0 decision over the Eagles' Aaron Sulzer at 157 and John Odeen (Coal City, Ill./Coal City) posted a 6-5 decision over Alex Orton at 165.
Eastern Michigan (10-10, 0-3) made things interesting, winning at 174 and 184, closing the deficit to 18-12. However, Scott Penny (Granite City, Ill./Granite City) sealed the win for NIU, scoring an 11-4 decision over Josh Lewis to give the Huskies a 21-12 lead heading into the final match.
Northern Illinois returns to action Sunday when the Huskies travel to Mt. Pleasant, Mich. to face No. 6 Central Michigan.
Northern Illinois 21, Eastern Michigan 15
125: Izzy Montemayor (NIU) pin Greg Egbert (EMU), 3:24
133: Chris Jenkins (EMU) dec. Zach Taylor (NIU), 7-1
141: Vince Castillo (NIU) dec. Corey Phillips (EMU), 6-3
149: Dan Ruettiger (NIU) dec. David Pienaar (EMU), 5-0
157: Bryan Deutsch (NIU) dec. Aaron Sulzer (EMU), 7-2
165: John Odeen (NIU) dec. Alex Ortman (EMU), 6-5
174: Justin Brandel (EMU) pin Mason True (NIU), 2:37
184: Phillip Joseph (EMU) dec. Zach Benzio (NIU), 13-12
197: Scott Penny (NIU) dec. Josh Lewis (EMU), 11-4
285: David Wade (EMU) dec. Dakota Greenhaw (NIU), 8-3
