Wrestling | February 9

DeKALB, Ill.—Winning their fifth straight dual, the Northern Illinois University Huskies wrestling program posted a 22-15 victory over Lock Haven in the annual Beauty and the Beast dual.  

With the win, the Huskies move to 12-2 on the season and 6-1 in MAC competition. The Huskies have reached 12 wins or more nine prior times in program history.

"Blake (West) set the tone early for us and Jaivon (Jones) got a big win at 149. Sean (Carroll) getting the win in overtime is huge from him and then Jacob (Christensen) took care of business at 285," said NIU head coach Ryan Ludwig. "We were prepared for Lock Haven to be extremely competitive, and we had every guy contributing to a big team win. We'll clean a few things up this week and be ready to SIUE on the 23rd."

Remaining undefeated in MAC competition, Blake West (Shakopee, Minn./Shakopee) opened the dual with a 9-5 decision over Logan Sallot. West, who is ranked No. 33 in the Coaches' Poll, improves to 23-5 on the season and 7-0 in MAC duals.

Jaivon Jones (Shaker Heights, Ohio/Nordonia) got his fourth pin of the season, taking down Nick Stonecheck at 149 pounds. Jones got the fall in 2:22 as he moves to 11-4 on the season and 5-2 overall. Jones comes in at No. 30 in the Coaches' Poll.

Tulga Zuunbayan (Mongolia/Rolling Meadows) put the Huskies up by five at 13-8, getting his first major decision of the season. Zuunbayan faced off against DaShawn Farber of Lock Haven, winning the match 9-1.

Matt Zuber (Chicago, Ill./Fenwick) put the Huskies ahead for the final time, getting a 10-3 decision over Colin Fegley. Zuber is now just two wins away from 20 as he improves to 18-5 overall and 5-1 in MAC duals.

Going to overtime for the fourth time this season, Sean Carroll (Overland Park, Kan./St. Thomas Aquinas) battled against Cael Black at the 197 bout. Carroll, who had won his previous overtime matches, defeated Black 7-1 as he moves to 9-11 on the season and 1-5 in MAC duals.

Jacob Christensen (Durham, Wash./Durham) represented the Huskies at 285 pounds and sealed the Huskies victory with a 4-1 decision over Ethan Miller. Christensen moves to 11-7 on the season and gets his first MAC win of the year.

Michael Kaminski (Lockport, Ill./Lockport) battled against No. 29 Gable Strickland, falling in a 5-4 decision at 133 pounds. Jacob Brya (St. Johns, Mich./St. Johns) collected his first loss in dual competition, dropping a 22-6 technical fall decision to No. 13 Wyatt Henson). Tommy Bennett (Evergreen Park, Ill./Brother Rice) dropped a major decision to Eric Alderfer at 165, falling 12-1. At 174 pounds, Ricardo Salinas (Evanston, Ill./Evanston Township) was defeated by Tyler Stoltzfus in an 11-4 decision for Lock Haven's final points of the night.  

The Huskies take a two-week break before returning to action on February 23. The Huskies will host SIUE in the final dual of the regular season for Senior Night. Action will start at 7 p.m. in Victor E. Court.

Match Results
 
125      Blake West (NIU) over Logan Sallot (Lock Haven) Dec 9-5 
133      Gable Strickland (Lock Haven) over Michael Kaminski (NIU) Dec 5-4
141      Wyatt Henson (Lock Haven) over Jacob Brya (NIU) TF 22-6 3:27
149      Jaivon Jones (NIU) over Nick Stonecheck (Lock Haven) Fall 2:22  
157      Tulga Zuunbayan (NIU) over Dashawn Farber (Lock Haven) MD 9-1
165      Eric Alderfer (Lock Haven) over Tommy Bennett (NIU) MD 12-1
174      Tyler Stoltzfus (Lock Haven) over Ricardo Salinas (NIU) Dec 11-4 
184      Matt Zuber (NIU) over Colin Fegley (Lock Haven) Dec 10-3
197      Sean Carroll (NIU) over Cael Black (Lock Haven) SV-1 7-1
285      Jacob Christensen (NIU) over Ethan Miller (Lock Haven) Dec 4-1
 
Final Score
NIU 22, Lock Haven 15