NORFOLK, Va.– The Northern Illinois University wrestling team suffered a 21-12 setback to Old Dominion in its second Mid-American Conference dual of the season Tuesday night. 
 
"These guys wrestled hard tonight," said NIU head wrestling coach Ryan Ludwig.  "We had guys stepping up in a big way."
 
The Huskies got a spark from the lower weight-classes early in the dual.   At 125, newly ranked Brock Hudkins (Danville, Ind./Danville) defeated Michael McGee, 4-3.  The Huskie sophomore nabbed his 10^th win of the season and his second MAC win of the year. 
 
At 133, Alijah Jeffery (Marion, Iowa/Linn Mar) bounced back from a tough loss on Saturday by defeating Caleb Richardson, 4-1.  The Huskie redshirt junior earned his 10th win of the season and his 61^st win of his career. 
 
"Jeffery won a controlled battle against an NCAA qualifier," said Ludwig. "Great win for him moving forward."
 
At 141, Anthony Rubino (West Chicago, Ill./St. Charles North) picked up his first win of the season, defeating Mason Wohltman, 5-2.  The Huskie sophomore helped give NIU a 9-0 lead over the Monarchs after the first three matches.   
 
At 149, Zackary Velasquez (Ione, Calif./Ponderosa) lost the first match of the dual for the Huskies, 10-4.  Following that match, the Monarchs won the last five taking a 15-9 lead. 
 
At 197, Max Ihry (Naperville, Ill./Waubonsee Valley) picked up his fourth win of the season defeating John D'Agostino in double overtime, 4-1.  The Huskie sophomore kept NIU within striking distance down only 15-12 going into 285. 
 
"Great job by Rubino and Ihry to put us in position to win the dual," said Ludwig. 
 
At 285, redshirt- sophomore Caleb Gossett (St. Charles, Mo./Francis Howell Central) suffered a loss to Ali Wahab via pin, 6:14. The Monarchs picked up six points and the win 21-12 over the Huskies. 
 
"We made progress and the team responded well to positions we've been working through," said Ludwig. 
 
The Huskies will be back in action on December 29-30 in Hoffman Estates, Ill. at the Midlands Championships.  Action will be going on all-day. 
 
Old Dominion 21 | NIU 12
 
125: No. 20 Brock Hudkins (NIU) dec. over No. 21 Michael McGee (ODU), 4-3
133: Alijah Jeffery (NIU) dec. over Caleb Richardson (ODU), 4-1
141: Anthony Rubino (NIU) dec. over Mason Wohltman (ODU), 5-2
149: Kenan Carter (ODU) dec. over Zack Velasquez (NIU), 10-4
157: Larry Early (ODU) dec. over Caden McWhirter (NIU), 4-1
165: Luke Drugac (ODU) dec. over Andrew Scott (NIU), 4-1
174: Seldon Wright (ODU) dec. over Quinton Rosser (NIU), 15-8
184: Antonio Agee (ODU) dec. over Michael Aldrich (NIU), 6-2
197: Max Ihry (NIU) dec. over John D'Agostino (ODU), TB-2 4-1
285: Ali Wahab (ODU) pin Caleb Gossett (NIU) (6:14)
 
--NIU--