Wrestling | January 27

DeKALB, Ill.—Keeping the pressure on, the Northern Illinois University Huskies wrestling program moved to 10-2 on the season and 4-1 in MAC action, defeating the Central Michigan Chippewas 22-10.
 
This was the Huskies' first win over the Chippewas since January 5, 2020, and only the second win since the 2002-03 season. The Huskies have reached 10 wins in a single season for the 17th time in program history.
 
"This was a hard-fought team victory from start to finish," said NIU head coach Ryan Ludwig. "We wrestled hard for all seven minutes and had good things happen."
 
Blake West (Shakopee, Minn./Shakopee) faced off against Sean Spidle in the 125-pound match. West, who is ranked No. 33 in the NCAA Coaches' Poll, got a late escape in the first period and a reversal in the second period to tie the match at three. Spidle took a late 5-3 lead over West before a third period takedown and riding time sealed the victory for West. West moves to 21-5 on the season and 12-0 in dual competitions.
 
At 133 pounds, Michael Kaminski (Lockport, Ill./Lockport) got an opening takedown in the first period as he faced off against Andrew Austin. Kaminski and Austin collected a total of five takedowns between them to force overtime at 10-10. Kaminski got the overtime victory with a takedown to win 13-10.
 
Jacob Brya (St. Johns, Mich./St. Johns) remains undefeated in dual action after taking down Ja'Kerion Merritt. After a scoreless first period, Brya got an escape for the first points of the match. Brya got a third period takedown to shutout his opponent in a 5-0 decision.
 
In the second ranked match-up of the day, No. 30 Jaivon Jones (Shaker Heights, Ohio/Nordonia) faced off against No. 8 Corbyn Munson. Munson jumped out to a 5-1 lead in the first period, with Jones' lone point coming from an escape. Munson defeated Jones in a 7-1 decision.
 
At 157 pounds, Brett Smith (Troy, Mo./Buchanan) battled against No. 21 Johnny Lovett of Central Michigan. Smith got an early first period takedown and had a 3-1 advantage heading into the third period. An escape and takedown by Lovett shifted the lead to the Chippewas as Lovett defeated Smith in a 5-4 decision.
 
Tommy Bennett (Evergreen Park, Ill./Brother Rice) took on Tyler Swiderski in the 165-pound bout. Bennett fell behind 4-1 after the first two periods, getting an escape in the first period. Bennett claimed an early third period escape and a takedown to win the match in a 5-4 decision.
 
Ricardo Salinas (Evanston, Ill./Evanston Township) battled the final ranked wrestler for the Chippewas in No. 22 Alex Cramer. Salinas got an early first period takedown as Cramer jumped out to a 7-3 lead heading into the third period. Cramer added three takedowns and a nearfall (3) to win Central Michigan's final points of the dual in a technical fall (TF 20-5, 6:12)
 
Getting the only bonus points of the day for the Huskies, Matt Zuber (Chicago, Ill./Fenwick) took on Adrien Cramer in the 184-pound match. Zuber had three takedowns, one in each period, and got a third period escape to win his match in a major decision, 10-2. Zuber has eight major decision victories on the year and moves to 17-5 on the year.
 
At 197 pounds, Carter Grewe (Colby, Wis./Colby) faced off against Cameron Wood. Grewe had two first period takedowns to lead 6-2 heading into the second period. Grewe posted a 7-4 victory over Wood.
 
In the heavyweight match, No. 26 Jacobi Jackson took on Bryan Caves. Caves jumped on the scoreboard first with an escape in the second period before Jackson claimed the first takedown of the match. An escape by Jackson in the third period helped him win in a 4-1 decision. Jackson moves to 8-1 in dual action with the win.
 
The Huskies return to action on February 3 as they travel to Buffalo. Action is set to get underway at 12 p.m. CT in the Alumni Arena.
 
Match Summary
           
125      Blake West (Northern Illinois) over Sean Spidle (Central Michigan) (Dec 7-5)        
133      Mikey Kaminski (Northern Illinois) over Andrew Austin (Central Michigan) (SV-1 13-10)    
141      Jacob Brya (Northern Illinois) over Ja`Kerion Merritt (Central Michigan) (Dec 5-0) 
149      Corbyn Munson (Central Michigan) over Jaivon Jones (Northern Illinois) (Dec 7-1)
157      Johnny Lovett (Central Michigan) over Brett Smith (Northern Illinois) (Dec 5-4)     
165      Tommy Bennett (Northern Illinois) over Tyler Swiderski (Central Michigan) (Dec 5-4)
174      Alex Cramer (Central Michigan) over Ricardo Salinas (Northern Illinois) (TF 20-5 6:12)    
184      Matt Zuber (Northern Illinois) over Adrien Cramer (Central Michigan) (MD 10-2)   
197      Carter Grewe (Northern Illinois) over Cameron Wood (Central Michigan) (Dec 7-4)
285      Jacobi Jackson (Northern Illinois) over Bryan Caves (Central Michigan) (Dec 4-1)
 
Unsportsmanlike Conduct     CMU -1.0
Dual Meet Score                                                                                NIU 22.0          CMU 10.0