Wrestling | February 3

BUFFALO, N.Y.—A back and forth battle from start to finish, the (RV) Northern Illinois University Huskies wrestling program won a thriller against the University at Buffalo, 18-16. With the win, the Huskies move to 11-2 on the season and 5-1 in MAC action.
 
This is the Huskies second straight win over the Bulls of Buffalo. The last three meetings have been decided by two points or less.
 
The Huskies have reached 11 wins in a single season for the tenth time in program history, with the last time being in 2019-20 (13-4 overall).
 
The Huskies are receiving votes in the National Wrestling Coaches Poll (NWCA) and are ranked No. 14 in the NWCA Mid-Major Top-20 poll.
 
"We rallied as a team today and got a strong team victory on the road. Bonus point victories are huge in dual matches as we saw today," said NIU head coach Ryan Ludwig. "We are continuing to pursue points and improving day-by-day on the little things. We are excited to get back home and have our home crowd with us as we take on Lock Haven next week."  
 
Starting the Huskies off with bonus points, Blake West (Shakopee, Minn./Shakopee) earned his fifth technical fall victory this season over Max Elton, 17-2 (6:30). West, who is ranked in the NCAA Coaches poll (No. 33) and Intermat poll (No. 32), moved to 22-5 on the season and remains undefeated in dual action at 13-0.
 
Jacob Brya (St. Johns, Mich./St. Johns) battled to a 4-0 decision victory over Caleb Brooks of Buffalo. Brya has not allowed his opponent to score for his second straight shutout victory. Brya is the second Huskie to remain undefeated in dual competition at 7-0.
 
Jaivon Jones won his match at 149 pounds for the Huskies only back-to-back victories today. Jones, who comes at No. 24 in the WrestleStat poll, posted a 6-1 decision victory over Kaleb Burgess as the Huskies had an 11-4 lead after four bouts.
 
After dropping three straight matches, Matt Zuber (Chicago, Ill./Fenwick) earned his tenth dual victory of the season. Zuber posted a 6-1 decision over Chase Kranitz at 184 pounds to put the Huskies back in front temporarily. Zuber is 10-1 in dual competitions this season and earned his 17th victory of the season.
 
Jacobi Jackson (St. Louis, Mo./Desmet Jesuit) was the final Huskie to get a victory today and clinched the victory in the 285 pound bout. Jackson took control early in the first period with a takedown and kept the pressure on as he claimed his fourth major decision victory of the season. With the win, Jackson moves to 11-4 on the season and 9-1 in dual competitions. Jackson is also earning recognition in the NCAA Coaches poll (No. 26), Intermat poll (No. 31), and FloWrestling poll (No. 28).
 
Sean Carroll (Overland Park, Kan. / St. Thomas Aquinas) was the lone Huskie to take on a ranked opponent from the Bulls. Carroll battled against No. 32 Sam Mitchell (Intermat) in the 197 pound match, falling by a 4-1 decision.
 
At 133 pounds, Michael Kaminski (Lockport, Ill./Lockport) battled to a 17-9 major decision loss. Brett Smith (Troy, Mo./Buchanan) took on Nick Stampoulos at 157 pounds, falling in a 7-2 decision.
 
Tommy Bennett (Evergreen Park, Ill./Brother Rice) represented the Huskies at 165, dropping a 4-2 decision to Hunter Shaut. In the 174 pound bout, Ricardo Salinas (Evanston, Ill./Evanston Township) faced off against Jay Nivison, dropping a 7-3 decision.  
 
Next time on the mat, the Huskies will host Lock Haven on February 9 in the annual Beauty and the Beast dual. Action will start at 7 p.m. in NIU Convocation Center.
 
Results
125 - #32 Blake West (NIU) won by technical fall over Max Elton (UB), 17-2 (6:30)
133 – Tommy Maddox (UB) won by major decision over Michael Kaminski (NIU), 17-9
141 – Jacob Brya (NIU) won by decision over Caleb Brooks (UB), 4-0
149 – Jaivon Jones (NIU) won by decision over Kaleb Burgess (UB), 6-1
157 – Nick Stampoulos (UB) won by decision over Brett Smith (NIU), 7-2
165 – Hunter Shaut (UB) won by decision over Tommy Bennett (NIU), 4-2
174 – Jay Nivison (UB) won by decision over Ricardo Salinas (NIU), 7-3
184 – Matt Zuber (NIU) won by decision over Chase Kranitz (UB), 6-1
197 – #32 Sam Mitchell (UB) won by decision over Sean Carroll (NIU), 4-1
285 - #31 Jacobi Jackson (NIU) won by major decision over Lonell Owens-Pabon (UB), 12-3 
 
NIU 18, Buffalo 16