CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – The Northern Illinois University wrestling team led No. 22 Northern Iowa for four straight duals but eventually fell, 23-17, on Sunday at West Gym in a Mid-American Conference dual.
 
"It was an intense dual and the guys wrestled hard," said head wrestling coach Ryan Ludwig. "We found out some important things as we build toward MAC Championships."
 
The Huskies got a strong start from Alijah Jeffery (Marion, Iowa/Linn-Mar) with a tech fall in 2 minutes, 58 seconds over UNI's Jay Schwarm at 133 pounds. That is Jeffery's third technical fall of the season.
 
In the next bout at 141 pounds, Angel Velasquez (Modesto, Calif./John H. Pitman) recorded the second win of the day over Jake Hodges in an intense 3-2 decision.
 
Northern Iowa didn't score until No. 8 Max Thomsen was victorious over No. 18 Steve Bleise (Chelsea, Mich./Chelsea). Thomsen was the first to score with an escape at the start of the second period. Bleise held off Thomsen until he tied the dual with an escape during the start of the third. Bleise received a second stall warning that ended up giving Thomsen the victory, 2-1.
 
"Jeffery got us a great start with his work on top. Angel won a hard fought battle over a quality opponent and Caden brought great intensity today," said Ludwig.
 
The Huskies led the Panthers 14-7 going into intermission but three straight wins from Northern Iowa gave them the first lead of the dual.
 
At 197 pounds, no. 13 Shawn Scott (Holly, Mich./Holly) was the remaining Huskie grappler to garner a win. UNI's Chase Shedenhelm debuted at 197 pounds, wrestling up from his usual 184 pounds. Shedenhelm was able to get a reversal on Scott but an escape and riding time gave the Huskie the 4-2 decision.
 
The NIU wrestling team will host Mid-American Conference rival, Ohio, at Victor E. Court on Friday, Jan. 13. The Huskies and Bobcats will face off starting at 7 p.m.
 
 
 
 
 
No. 22 UNI 23, NIU 17
133: Alijah Jeffery (NIU) tech fall Jay Schwarm (UNI), 16-0 (2:58)
141: Angel Velasquez (NIU) dec. Jake Hodges (UNI), 3-2
149: #8 Max Thomsen (UNI) dec. #18 Steve Bleise (NIU), 2-1
157: Caden McWhirter (NIU) inj. def. Paden Moore (UNI)
165: #12 Bryce Steiert (UNI) maj. dec. Shaun'Qae McMurtry (NIU), 19-5 (2:54 RT)
174: #12 Taylor Lujan (UNI) pinned Trace Engelkes (UNI), 4:41
184: Jacob Holschlag (UNI) maj. dec. Bryce Gorman (NIU), 11-1 (3:53 RT)
197: #13 Shawn Scott (NIU) dec. Chase Shedenhelm (UNI), 4-2 (2:04 RT)
285: JJ Everard (UNI) dec. Caleb Gossett (NIU), 6-2 (1:05 RT)
125: #10 Dylan Peters (UNI) dec. Brock Hudkins, (NIU), 7-2