Wrestling | November 21

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Blake West (Shakopee, Minn./Shakopee) claimed his 100th career victory this evening as the Northern Illinois University Huskies (1-2) fell in action to the Bellarmine University Knights (1-1). The Knights won three of the first four bouts as they defeated NIU, 23-13.
 
West, who is ranked No. 15 via Intermat, had a pair of first and third period takedowns as he shut out Damion Ryan at 125 pounds to become the sixth wrestler in program history to achieve the 100-career win mark.
 
"Kudos to Bellarmine….We did not compete to our standard in most cases tonight. We will digest it and grow," said head coach Ryan Ludwig. "(Devon) Dawson had a nice night with a nationally ranked win. (A) big congratulations to Blake West on his 100th win as a Huskie! It's an incredible achievement and he deserves to be celebrated for everything he brings to this university and wrestling program."
 
Tyler Turzinski (Savage, Minn./Shakopee) claimed the first win on the evening as he made his dual debut at 157 pounds. Turzinski got a first period takedown as he never relinquished his lead as he posted a 7-2 decision.
 
At 174 pounds, Tommy Bennett (Evergreen Park, Ill./Brother Rice) evened the first period at 4-4 as he took on Grant O'Dell. Bennett added a second takedown in the second period, holding off late charges from O'Dell for an 8-6 decision victory.
 
The Huskies' final win of the night came at 285 pounds, the only bout to feature a pair of ranked wrestlers as No. 30 Devon Dawson (Brooklyn Park, Minn./Goodard) took on No. 27 Daulton Mayer. Mayer got an early takedown before a late third period takedown shifted the bout in Dawson's favor. Dawson grabbed a 6-5 decision for his third straight dual win.
 
Charles Curtis (Canton, Ohio/Perry) took on AJ Rallo in the first bout of the evening at 141 pounds, dropping an 18-6 major decision. Tommy Curran (Carol Stream, Ill./DeKalb) battled Zac Cowan in a thriller that came down to the wire, falling in a 15-13 decision. There were a combined six takedowns in the bout.
 
Colin Young (Belvidere, Ill./Dubuque Wahlert) competed at 165 pounds for the Huskies as Noah Hall pinned him in the second period. At 184 pounds, Caleb Roe (Arab, Ala./Arab) took on Gavin Ricketts in one of the closest matches of the evening, dropping a 4-2 decision. Ian Smith (Lake Nebagamon, Wis./Northwestern) got the nod at 197 pounds and was shut out by Andrew Liber in a 9-0 major decision. Markel Baker (Freeport, Ill./Freeport), who is ranked No. 22 by Intermat, dropped a 5-2 decision to Tracye Eckman.
 
The Huskies return to action on December 5-6 as they travel to the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational.
 
Stay up-to-date with all things NIU Wrestling by following the team on Facebook (NIU Wrestling), X/Twitter (@NIUWrestling), and on Instagram (@NIU_Wrestling).
 
Results
 
NIU vs Bellarmine
Nov. 21, 2025 | Louisville, Kentucky | Knights Hall
 
           
141: AJ Rallo (Bellarmine) over Charles Curtis (NIU), MD 18-6
149: Zac Cowan (Bellarmine) over Tommy Curran (NIU), Dec 15-13
157: Tyler Turzinski (NIU) over Jeb Prechtel (Bellarmine), Dec 7-2
165: Noah Hall (Bellarmine) over Colin Young (NIU), Fall 4:13
174: Tommy Bennett (NIU) over Grant O`Dell (Bellarmine), Dec 8-6
184: Gavin Ricketts (Bellarmine) over Caleb Roe (NIU), Dec 4-2
197: Andrew Liber (Bellarmine) over Ian Smith (NIU), MD 9-0
285: No. 30 Devon Dawson (NIU) over No. 27 Daulton Mayer (Bellarmine), Dec 6-5
125: No. 15 Blake West (NIU) over Damion Ryan (Bellarmine), MD 10-0
133: Trayce Eckman (Bellarmine) over No. 22 Markel Baker (NIU), Dec 5-2
 
 
Team Score:
Bellarmine- 23
NIU- 13