Wrestling | January 12

DEKALB, Ill.—Winning the first four bouts of the Mid-American Conference dual, the Northern Illinois University Huskies wrestling program defeated the Ohio University Bobcats, 24-15 inside Victor E. Court.
 
The was the Huskies first win against the Bobcats in DeKalb since January 19, 2007.
 
"Every time we face a MAC opponent, we know it's going to be a battle," said NIU head coach Ryan Ludwig. "We started strong with four straight wins. We had some younger guys get their shot on the mat and others continue to hit their stride for the team."  
 
Blake West (Shakopee, Minn./Shakopee), who is ranked 31st (Intermat) started the Huskies off strong with a takedown in the first period. West extended his lead to seven in the second period before earning a nearfall in the third period. West won by a major decision (12-0) over Ryan Meek for his third major decision win of the season.
 
At 133 pounds, Nathaniel Genobana (Centerville, Iowa/Centerville) kept his dual against Mason Brugh close, with the lone takedown coming in the third period. Genobana won by a 4-3 decision as the Huskies took a 7-0 lead.
 
Jacob Brya (St. Johns, Mich. / St. Johns) represented the Huskies at 141 pounds and started his bout with a first period takedown. Brya would add three more takedowns in the second and third periods as he earned his first major decision victory (14-2) over Aidan Waszak.
 
In the only ranked bout of the day, No. 27 (WrestleStat) Jaivon Jones (Shaker Heights, Ohio / Nordonia) took on No. 19 Derek Raike (Intermat). Raike got a first period takedown before Jones grabbed two nearfalls in the second period. Jones won the bout due to a injury sustained by Raike.
 
At 157 pounds, Tulga Zuunbayan (Mongolia/Rollings Meadows) represented the Huskies. Zuunbayan would fall in a 7-1 decision to No. 16 Peyton Kellar (FloWrestling).
 
The Bobcats won two bouts consecutively, winning at 165 pounds. Tommy Bennet (Evergreen Park, Ill. / Brother Rice) took on No. 12 Garret Thompson (Intermat). Thompson won by fall (2:28) over Bennett as score was 17-9.
 
Ricardo Salinas (Evanston, Ill. / Evanston Township) faced off against Dan Segura, with each wrestler getting a takedown in the first period. Salinas took a 5-3 lead in the second period before adding a third period takedown. Salinas held off a late comeback attempt from Segura, winning in an 8-6 decision.
 
A184 pounds, Shane Moran (Crystal Lake, Ill. / Crystal Lake South) took on No. 26 Zayne Lehman (Intermat). Moran would fall in a 5-0 decision to Lehman in his debut against a MAC opponent this season.
 
Sean Carroll (Overland Park, Kan. / St. Thomas Aquinas) battled against Austin Starr in the 197 bout. Carroll fell in an 8-1 decision to Starr for the Bobcats final points of the day.
 
In the heavyweight bout, Jacobi Jackson (St.Louis, Mo. / Desmet Jesuit), who is ranked No. 30 by FloWrestling, took on Jacob Padilla. Jackson earned a takedown in all three periods, earning a major decision victory (12-2). Jackson's victory is his third major decision of the season.
 
The Huskies return to the mat on January 19, as they travel to Cleveland State for a MAC dual. The Huskies and Vikings are set to get underway at 6 p.m. CT.
 
Dual Results
 
125: Blake West (NIU) over Ryan Meek (OHIO) (MD 12-0)
133: Nathaniel Genobana (NIU) over Mason Brugh (OHIO) (Dec 4-3)
141: Jacob Brya (NIU) over Aidan Waszak (OHIO) (MD 14-2)
149: Jaivon Jones (NIU) over Derek Raike (OHIO) (Inj. 4:32)
157: Peyten Kellar (OHIO) over Munktulga Zuunbayan (NIU) (Dec 7-1)
165: Garrett Thompson (OHIO) over Tommy Bennett (NIU) (Fall 2:28)
174: Ricardo Salinas (NIU) over Dan Segura (OHIO) (Dec 8-6)
184: Zayne Lehman (OHIO) over Shane Moran (NIU) (Dec 5-0)
197: Austin Starr (OHIO) over Sean Carroll (NIU) (Dec 8-1)
285: Jacobi Jackson (NIU) over Jacob Padilla (OHIO) (MD 12-2)
 
NIU 24, Ohio 15
 
--NIU--