Wrestling | January 6

DeKALB, Ill. – The Northern Illinois University wrestling team opened a four-match January homestand by dropping a 23-12 decision to Mid-American Conference foe Old Dominion Sunday afternoon in the NIU Convocation Center. 
 
The Huskies (2-6, 0-2 MAC) got victories in three of the final four bouts of the afternoon, but three one-point losses – at 149, 165 and 197 pounds - thwarted NIU's chance to earn the Mid-American Conference victory.  Old Dominion improved to 3-2 overall, 2-1 in the MAC, with the win.
 
"We competed with heart and had some nice win, but we have to work on technicalities," said NIU head coach Ryan Ludwig. "At 149 and 165, we had our chances to get victories. In those one-point matches, we have to find a way to break through ties and create scoring opportunities; we've got to try and finish in an offensive manner rather than defensive."
 
Senior Alijah Jeffery (Marion, Iowa/Linn-Mar HS) provided an early bright spot for NIU with a 7-4 decision over Kilian Cardinale at 133 pounds, before the Huskies got going at the heavier weights, beginning with Brit Wilson's (Mexico, Mo./Mexico HS) dominating performance at 174. He defeated Seldon Wright of ODU, 11-4, in a match that was seconds away from being a major decision as a late Wilson takedown was waved off after review.  Redshirt freshman Will Feldkamp (Dexter, Mich./Dexter HS) of NIU followed with a 5-1 win at 184 and Max Irhy (Naperville, Ill./Waubonsee Valley HS) nearly made it a late sweep by the Huskies before falling, 4-3.  NIU heavyweight Caleb Gossett (St. Charles, Mo./Francis Howell Central HS) closed out the meet with a 7-4 win.
 
"I was happy with Alijah getting us on track at 133," Ludwig said. "He showed great maturity and leadership to get that win.  Brit Wilson, clearly dominated a top 20 opponent, and we thought he had a major decision there.  Will Feldkamp as a young guy, continues to grow each week at 184, we're excited about what he's doing. And Caleb Gosset showed discipline and leadership as he closed us out on a positive note."
 
The Huskies (2-6, 0-2 MAC) return to the mat next Sunday, January 13 at 1 p.m. when they take on SIUE in another conference battle.  The match will be held at Chick Evans Fieldhouse and is free to the public.
 
OLD DOMINION 23, NIU 12

125: Michael McGee (ODU) tech fall Bryce West (NIU), 16-1 5:40
133: Alijah Jeffery (NIU) dec. Kilian Cardinale (ODU), 7-4
141: Sa`Derian Perry (ODU) fall Anthony Cheloni (NIU), 1:45
149: Kevin Budock (ODU) dec. McCoy Kent (NIU), 3-2
157: Larry Early (ODU) dec. Mason Kauffman (NIU), 9-6
165: Shane Jones (ODU) dec. Caden McWhirter (NIU), 4-3
174: Brit Wilson (NIU) dec. Seldon Wright (ODU), 11-4
184: Will Feldkamp (NIU) dec. Dean Drugac (ODU), 5-1
197: Timothy Young (ODU) dec. Max Ihry (NIU), 4-3
285: Caleb Gossett (NIU) dec. Ali Wahab (ODU), 7-4
 
-- NIU –