Wrestling | November 15

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.—Two members of the Northern Illinois University wrestling program went undefeated at the Boilermaker duals as the Huskies battled American University and Purdue University this morning (November 15). The Huskies defeated the Eagles of American University in the first meeting between the programs, 21-12 before falling 28-9 to the Boilermakers of Purdue.
 
Markel Baker (Freeport, Ill./Freeport), who is ranked No. 28 by Intermat, opened his day with an 11-4 victory over No. 22 Raymond Lopez of American. Baker continued his early undefeated season, with an 8-6 decision over No. 21 Blake Boarman of Purdue at 133 pounds. Baker earned MAC West Wrestler of the Week honors after claiming the MSU Open title.
 
"The guys competed hard. They are making gains in what we preach in training," said NIU head coach Ryan Ludwig. "We have a lot of room to improve, and we still walked away with some nice individual performances today."
 
Competing at heavyweight for the Huskies, Devon Dawson (Brooklyn Park, Minn./Goddard) defeated Emmanuel Ulrich of American in a 7-2 decision in the first match. Dawson battled No. 31 Hayden Filipovich of Purdue in the final bout of the afternoon for the Huskies, defeating him in a 6-5 decision.
 
Tommy Bennett (Evergreen Park, Ill./Brother Rice) posted a 13-12 decision over No. 20 Brody Baumann of Purdue in the 174-pound bout. This was Bennett's first win over a ranked opponent in two seasons. In action last season, Bennett fell to Baumann, in a 19-9 major decision.
 
Bennett, Baker, and Dawson were the only Huskies to claim wins against Purdue.
 
Against American University, Charles Curtis (Canton, Ohio/Perry) posted a 2-1 sudden victory win over Colin Martin at 141 pounds. Collin Arch (Palmyra, Mo./Palmyra), Colin Young (Belvidere, Ill./Dubuque Wahlert), and Tyler Schofield (Olivet, Mich./Olivet) claimed three straight wins for the Huskies at 157, 165 and 174 pounds, all by decision.
 
At 197 pounds, Spencer Mooberry (Osage, Iowa/Osage) posted a 5-1 decision over Caleb Close of American for the sixth NIU win of the morning.
 
Also competing in action today were Talan Parson (Ovid-Elsie, Mich./Ovid-Elsie) at 125 pounds, Caleb Roe (Arab, Ala./Arab) at 184 pounds, Tommy Curran (Carol Stream, Ill./DeKalb) at 149 pounds, and Dominic Heim (Shakopee, Minn./Shakopee) at 184 pounds.
 
The Huskies return to action as they travel to Bellarmine on November 21. Dual time is set for 5 p.m. CT in Louisville, Kentucky.
 
Catch all things NIU Wrestling by following the team on Facebook (NIU Wrestling), X/Twitter (@NIUWrestling), and on Instagram (@NIU_Wrestling).