Wrestling | December 15

DeKALB, Ill.—A back and forth battle occurred on Friday evening between the Northern Illinois University Huskies wrestling program and the California Baptist University Lancers. The second meeting between the programs saw the Huskies win the final bout, 19-15.  
 
With tonight's victory, the Huskies improved to 4-1 on the season. Head coach Ryan Ludwig is nearing the century mark, earning his 97th victory tonight.
 
"It was a hard fought dual, back and forth in every single match," said Ludwig, "The action was intense, and we were able to get the victory with a major decision from (Matt) Zuber and Jacobi's (Jackson) injury default. My advice was simple to the guys: go out, compete hard, dictate what you can, and get points."
 
Blake West (Shakopee, Minn./Shakopee) started the evening at 125 pounds for the Huskies, competing against No. 25 CBU's Eli Griffin (Wrestle Stat). A second period takedown shifted the momentum in the Huskies favor as West claimed an early third period takedown for a 11-7 decision for the Huskies. With the victory, West moves to 11-2 on the season and 5-0 in dual competitions.
 
Tommy Curran (Carol Stream, Ill./DeKalb) represented the Huskies at 149 pounds this evening and got the first points of the bout with an escape in the second round. Curran evened the score after four bouts, claiming a 2-0 decision victory over Dayne Morton.
 
Making his debut this season for the Huskies, Tulga Zuunbayan (Mongolia/Rolling Meadows) competed at 157 pounds. Zuunbayan battled with Nolan Miller-Johnston to a 7-4 decision for his first win of the season.
 
Matt Zuber (Chicago, Ill./Fenwick) had a pair of takedowns in the first period to take an early 6-2 lead over Nathan Haas. Zuber would go on to win his seventh major decision victory of the season, defeating Nathan Haas, 11-3). With the win, Zuber improves to 12-4 on the season and 5-0 in dual competitions.
 
Jacobi Jackson (St. Louis, Mo./ Desmet Jesuit) represented the Huskies at 285, taking on Chris Island in what would be the deciding match. Jackson won via injury default after an early takedown.
 
Nathaniel Genobana (Centerville, Ill./Centerville) competed at 133 pounds for the Huskies, falling to Hunter Leake in a 2-0 decision.  At 141 pounds, Danny Curran (Carol Stream, Ill./DeKalb) dropped a battle to Emilio Trujillo-Deen, falling in a 13-10 decision.
 
At 165 pounds, Tommy Bennett (Evergreen Park, Ill. / Brother Rice) took on Mateo De La Pena in a close battle. Bennett battled in the first and second rounds, keeping the score close, before De La Pena got some separation in the third period. Bennett fell in an 8-6 decision.  
 
Competing at 174 pounds, Hayden Pummel (Indian Lake, Ohio/Indian Lake) fell in a 3-2 decision to Justin Phillips of CBU. Sean Carroll took to the mat at 197 pounds for the Huskies, competing against Eli Sheeren of CBU. Sheeren defeated Carroll in a 4-1 decision.
 
"It feels great to be at home and in front of a great crowd tonight," said Ludwig. "We've got some tough competition coming in on Tuesday. Our plan is to get in the room this weekend, fix some little things, and give the fans some great duals on Tuesday morning, starting with Kent State."
 
The Huskies continue action at home on Dec. 19, hosting Kent State, Northwestern, and Harper College. Action is set to start at 11 a.m. in Victor E. Court on the NIU campus.
 
Dual Scores
 
125: Blake West (NIU) over Eli Griffin (CBU), Dec 11-7
133: Hunter Leake (CBU) over Nathaniel Genobana (CBU), Dec 2-0
141: Emilio Trujillo-Deen (CBU) over Danny Curran (NIU), Dec 13-10
149: Tommy Curran (NIU) over Dayne Morton (CBU), Dec 2-0
157: Tulga Zuunbayan (NIU) over Nolan Miller-Johnston (CBU), Dec 7-4
165: Mateo De La Pena (CBU) over Tommy Bennett (NIU), Dec 8-6
174: Justin Phillips (CBU) over Hayden Pummel (NIU), Dec 3-2
184: Matt Zuber (NIU) over Nathan Haas (CBU), MD 11-3
197: Eli Sheeren (CBU) over Sean Carroll (NIU), Dec 4-1
285: Jacobi Jackson (NIU) over Chris Island (CBU), Inj. 1:15
 
Final Scores: NIU 19, CBU 15
 
--NIU--