BUFFALO – The Northern Illinois University wrestling team suffered a 23-14 setback to Buffalo in its 2018-19 regular season finale Friday.
 
"We got beat to the punch in the first couple matches," said NIU head coach Ryan Ludwig. "We wrestle our best when we establish our presence early and often. That needs to get back in order."
 
After NIU (8-10, 2-5) dropped the first three bouts of the match, McCoy Kent (Modesto, Calif./Enochs) put the Huskies on the board with an 8-4 decision over Jason Estevez at 149.
 
After Mason Kauffman (Stratford, Wis./Stratford) was edged out, 3-2, at 157, NIU would win the next three bouts. Caden McWhirter (Prattville, Ala./Prattville) scored a maj. dec. 11-0 victory over Noah Grover at 165, while No. 15-ranked Brit Wilson (Mexico, Mo./Mexico) improved to 23-4 on the year and won his sixth straight match when he defeated Jake Lanning, 8-6, at 174.
 
"Kent and McWhirter had dominating performances, which were great for the team," Ludwig said.
 
Will Feldkamp (Dexter, Mich./Dexter) capped the Huskie run with a 13-2 maj. dec. win over Logan Rill at 184.
 
The Huskies return to the mat Fri., March 8 when NIU travels to Norfolk, Va. to compete in the 2019 Mid-American Conference Wrestling Championships.
 
Buffalo 23, NIU 14
125: Kyle Akins (UB) fall Bryce West (NIU), 4:30
133: Derek Spann (UB) maj. dec. Alijah Jeffery (NIU), 10-0
141: #15 Bryan Lantry (UB) dec. Drew West (NIU), 8-2
149: McCoy Kent (NIU) dec. Jason Estevez (UB), 8-4
157: Alex Smythe (UB) dec. Mason Kauffman, 3-2
165: Caden McWhirter (NIU) maj. dec. over Noah Grover (UB), 11-0
174: #15 Brit Wilson (NIU) dec. over Jake Lanning (UB), 8-6
184: Will Feldcamp (NIU) maj. dec. over Logan Rill (UB), 13-2
197: Brett Perry (UB) maj. dec. over Max Ihry (NIU), 14-5
285: #15 Jake Gunning (UB) dec. Caleb Gossett (NIU), 7-2
 
-NIU-