Wrestling | January 25
ATHENS, Ohio—Winning four of the last five bouts, the Northern Illinois Huskies wrestling program came from behind to secure their third conference win of the season, defeating the Ohio University Bobcats, 21-20. The Huskies (3-3, 3-1 MAC) handed the Bobcats (5-3, 3-1 MAC) their first conference loss of the year.
This single point victory was the closest margin of victory for the Huskies against the Bobcats.
Eight of the ten bouts in this afternoon's contest featured bonus points as the Huskies claimed two technical fall victories in the win.
"Credit to the guys for scoring bonus point wins to get help get the team a W," noted head coach
Ryan Ludwig. "(Landen) Johnson came up big with a tech.
Sean Carroll with a huge win at 97 to put our lightweights in a position to close things out. Blake, Markel, and Jake Brya really showed their leadership with bonus point victories while their opponents were closing off. I'm proud of their attitude, effort, and execution."
Landen Johnson (Owatonna, Minn/Owatonna) grabbed a collection of quick takedowns in the 157-pound bout as he maintained a dominant lead over Logan Cravatas. Johnson got late near fall points to secure his second technical fall win of the season, and first shutout win at 16-0 over Cravatas.
Sean Carroll (Overland Park, Kan./St. Thomas Aquinas) got the second win of the afternoon as he faced Max Ray in the 197-pound match. Carrol got his second conference win of the season, claiming a 4-2 decision victory over Ray.
At 125 pounds,
Blake West (Shakopee, Minn./Shakopee) remains undefeated in conference action as he took on Ryan Meek. West captured his fifth major decision victory of the season, a 15-4 win over Meek. With the win, No. 20 West earned his 90th win as a Huskie.
Markel Baker (Freeport, Ill./Freeport) claimed his second technical fall win over the season, defeating TJ England, 20-4 in 5:43. Baker's win brought the Huskies within three as the 141 bout was the final match of the day.
Jacob Brya (St. Johns, Mich./St. Johns) had his first major decision victory of the season, taking down Kaden Jett, 12-0. Brya posted his third shutout of the season with the win and secured the victory for NIU.
Starting the Huskies off at 149 pounds,
Tommy Curran (Carol Stream, Ill./DeKalb) battled Derek Raike at 149 pounds. Curran dropped the opening bout of the day in a 14-6 major decision.
Brett Smith (Troy, Mo./Buchanan) fell in a 7-6 decision to Jack Lledo at 165 pounds while
Tommy Bennett took on No. 10 Garrett Thompson at 174 pounds. Bennett fell in a 15-4 major decision.
Dominic Heim (Shakopee, Minn./Shakopee) made his debut in the Huskie line for a dual meet and faced No. 22 Jeremy Olszko at 184 pounds and fell via technical fall 18-1, 5:38.
Jacob Christensen (Durham, Calif./Durham) took on No. 28 Jordan Greer in the heavyweight bout, falling 15-3 in a major decision.
The Huskies continue action on the road as they travel to Cleveland State on January 31. Dual time is set for 6 p.m. in Cleveland, Ohio.
Results
125:
Blake West^ (NIU) def. Ryan Meek (Ohio), MD 15-4
133:
Markel Baker (NIU) def. TJ England (Ohio), TF 20-4, 5:43
141:
Jacob Brya (NIU) def. Kaden Jett (Ohio), MD 12-0
149: Derek Raike (Ohio) def.
Tommy Curran (NIU), MD 14-6
157:
Landen Johnson (NIU) def. Logan Cravatas (Ohio), TF 16-0, 7:00
165: Jack Lledo (Ohio) def.
Brett Smith (NIU), Dec 7-6
174: Garrett Thomson^ (Ohio) def.
Tommy Bennett (NIU), MD 15-4
184: Jeremy Olszko^ (Ohio) def.
Dominic Heim (NIU), TF 18-1, 5:38
197:
Sean Carroll (NIU) def. Max Ray (Ohio), Dec 4-2
285: Jordan Greer^ (Ohio) def.
Jacob Christensen (NIU), MD 15-3
Final Scores
NIU – 21
Ohio – 20
*Started Dual at 149 pounds | ^ Notes national ranking
