Wrestling | February 14

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif.—Taking down a ranked team and a top-10 upset, the Northern Illinois University Huskies (6-3, 5-1 MAC) defeated the No. 22 Cal Poly Mustangs (4-8, 0-1 Pac-12), 25-19. The Huskies won six of the bouts, with four featuring bonus points.

The last time the Huskies beat a ranked opponent was during the 2019-20 season, when they defeated No. 24 Central Michigan.
 
Markel Baker (Freeport, Ill./Freeport) had the biggest upset on the evening at 133 pounds, taking down No. 2 Zeth Romney of Cal Poly. Baker trailed for a majority of the bout before getting a late takedown in the third period for the 7-6 decision victory. This was Baker's first win over a ranked opponent this season.
 
"The energy was outstanding tonight up and down the lineup," said NIU head coach Ryan Ludwig. "These guys have been working nonstop to improve on every area of their wrestling and it's gratifying when they get rewarded for their efforts. Both Blake and Markel had nationally ranked wins (that) should serve them well down the stretch."
 
Blake West (Shakopee, Minn./Shakopee), ranked No. 18, started the evening at 125 pounds as he faced off against Koda Holeman. West posted an 8-0 major decision victory, his eighth major decision of the year and fifth straight dual win.
 
At 141 pounds, Jacob Brya (St. Johns, Mich./St. Johns) collected a win, taking down Caleb Park. Brya earned his third technical fall victory of the season, with a 16-0 win over Park.
 
Landen Johnson (Owatonna, Minn./Owatonna) earned at victory at 157 pounds, defeating Gavin Fernandez. Johnson posted an 11-0 major decision, his first of the season.

Tommy Bennett (Evergreen Park, Ill./Brother Rice) got himself out of a tricky situation at 174 pounds for his first win of the season via fall. Bennett pinned Cash Stewart in 2:30 for the win.
 
Sean Carroll (Overland Park, Kan./St. Thomas Aquinas) sealed the victory for the Huskies at 197 pounds as he faced Tyler Hodges. Carroll posted a 7-3 decision over Hodges, his fourth consecutive win of the season.
 
Collin Arch (Palmyra, Mo./Palmyra) took on No. 9 Chance Lamer at 149 pounds, dropping a technical fall bout (19-4, 4:24).
 
Brett Smith (Troy, Mo./Buchanan) represented the Huskies at 165 pounds as he took on No. 25 Luka Wick. Smith dropped a 7-0 decision to wick.
 
At 184 pounds, Austin Stewart (Collinsville, Ill./Collinsville) took on Daschle Lamer, losing via fall. Jacob Christensen (Durham, Calif./Durham) battled at 285 pounds for the Huskies, facing off against No. 22 Trevor Tinker. Tinker got the better of Christensen, handing him a technical fall loss in the final bout.
 
The Huskies will conclude the 2024-25 regular season as they take on SIUE on February 22. Action is set to get started at 6 p.m. in Edwardsville, Illinois for the final Mid-American Conference dual.
 
*Rankings Courtesy of Intermat
 
Results
 
125: Blake West* (NIU) over Koda Holeman* (Cal Poly), MD 8-0
133: Markel Baker (NIU) over Zeth Romney* (Cal Poly), Dec 7-6
141: Jacob Brya (NIU) over Caleb Park (Cal Poly), TF 16-0, 5:53
149: Chance Lamer* (Cal Poly) over Collin Arch (NIU), TF 19-4, 4:24
157: Landen Johnson (NIU) over Gavin Fernandez (Cal Poly), MD 11-0
165: Luka Wick* (Cal Poly) over Brett Smith (NIU), Dec 7-0
174: Tommy Bennett (NIU) over Cash Stewart (Cal Poly), Fall 2:30
184: Daschle Lamer (Cal Poly) over Austin Stewart (NIU), Fall 2:36
197: Sean Carroll (NIU) over Tyler Hodges (Cal Poly), Dec 7-3
285: Trevor Tinker* (Cal Poly) over Jacob Christensen (NIU), TF 15-0, 5:15
 
Total Scores
 
NIU- 25
Cal Poly- 19
 
*Denotes Ranked Wrestler according to Intermat