Wrestling | November 16

EVANSTON, Ill.—In the first dual of the 2024-25 season, the Northern Illinois University Huskies wrestling program fell to the Northwestern University Wildcats inside Welsh-Ryan Arena. The Huskies fell 8-29 to the Wildcats. 
 
Markel Baker (Freeport, Ill./Freeport) and Jacob Christensen (Durham, Calif./Durham) had the lone victories for the Huskies.
 
Six of the matchups tonight featured ranked wrestlers according to the Intermat Poll, released on November 12, 2024.
 
I thought Northwestern wrestled well tonight. I thought where we wrestled well and won, we were more aggressive on our toes," said NIU head coach Ryan Ludwig. "We came off a tough tournament and scheduled a tough opponent. I thought it was great experience for Markel Baker to get a win, Deuce (Charles Curtis) looked very good against a seasoned opponent and Jay (Jacob) Christensen put an exclamation point on the start to his dual season with some of the best wrestling I've seen out of him. In the mat room, we've got to get back to basics, hand play, set up our attacks and get off bottom better. We need to have more of a mindset to get points on the board first."
 
Dual Recap
 
Baker defeated Massey Odiotti in a major decision (14-3). Baker claimed a trio of early takedowns in the first period before obtaining his fourth takedown in the third period for the victory. This was Baker's first major decision victory of the season.
 
Christensen took on Dirk Morley in the heavyweight bout. After a scoreless first period, Christensen got a pair of takedowns in the third period that were split by four nearfall points as he claimed a 12-2 major decision.
 
Blake West (Shakopee, Minn./Shakopee), who is ranked No. 27, got an early lead over Dedrick Navarro with a second period takedown at 125 pounds. Navarro scored a pair of takedowns late to claim a 7-6 decision over West.

Charles Curtis (Canton, Ohio/Perry) took to the mat for NIU at 141 pounds, facing off against No. 10 Christoper Cannon. Curtis opened the first period with a takedown before Cannon claimed a pair of takedowns for a 9-3 decision.
 
At 149 pounds, Collin Arch (Palmyra, Mo./Palmyra) competed against No. 20 Sam Cartella, falling in a technical fall battle, 15-0 (7:00). Landen Johnson (Owatonna, Minn./Owatonna) represented the Huskies at 157 pounds and faced off against No. 12 Trevor Chumbley, falling in an 8-2 decision. In the 165 pound bout, Brett Smith (Troy, Mo./Buchanan) took on No. 16 Maxx Mayfield, falling in an 11-4 decision.
 
In the 174 pound bout, Jake Evans (Elyria, Ohio/Elyria) fell in a 4-0 decision to Joseph Martin. Spencer Steiner (Fresno, Calif./Clovis North) represent the Huskies at 184 pounds, taking on Jon Halvorsen. Steiner dropped a major decision to Halvorsen, 12-2.
 
In the final bout featuring a ranked opponent, Spencer Mooberry (Osage, Iowa/Osage) took on No. 25 Evan Bates. Mooberry fell via technical fall to Bates, 19-4, 6:09.
 
The Huskie wrestlers open their home portion of the season on November 22 as they host Rider University in a conference dual at 7 p.m. The match will be streamed live on ESPN+ and fans are encouraged to wear red for the Red Out.
 
Results
 
125: Dedrick Navarro (NU) over No. 27 Blake West, Dec 7-6
133: Markel Baker (NIU) over Massey Odiotti, MD 14-3
141: Christopher Cannon (NU) over Charles Curtis (NIU), Dec 9-3
149: Sam Cartella (NU) over Collin Arch (NIU), TF 15-0, 7:00
157: Trevor Chumbley (NU) over Landen Johnson (NIU), Dec 8-2
165: Maxx Mayfield (NU) over Brett Smith (NIU), Dec 11-4
174: Joseph Martin (NU) over Jake Evans (NIU), Dec 4-0
184: Jon Halvorsen (NU) over Spencer Steiner (NIU), MD 12-2
197: Evan Bates (NU) over Spencer Mooberry (NIU), TF 19-4, 6:09
285: Jacob Christensen (NIU) over Dirk Morley (NU), MD 12-2
 
 
Final Score
 
NIU 8
Northwestern 29