NIU wrestling (2-3, 2-1 MAC) fell to the Central Michigan Chippewas (3-5, 1-0 MAC) Friday night, losing the dual 29-11.
FIERY START
NIU got off to a hot start against the Chippewas. The Huskies won the first two duels of the night. The early momentum started at 125 lbs with redshirt junior Blake West securing a 15-0 technical fall victory over Central Michigan redshirt freshman Kaden Chinavare.
The Huskies second win of the night came at 133 lbs with redshirt sophomore Markel Baker scoring a pinfall victory over Chippewa redshirt freshman Grant Stahl at 6:13 in the matchup.
These two victories gave NIU an 11-0 lead over Central Michigan heading into the 141 pound matchup.
FLAME OUT
Central Michigan gained momentum in the next bout of the night during the 141-pound match up. Chippewa redshirt sophomore Andrew Austin would pin Huskie redshirt sophomore Jacob Brya at the 2 minute mark of their duel to put Central Michigan on the board.
In the next matchup, Chippewa redshirt junior Mason Shrader won by major decision over NIU redshirt freshman Collin Arch at 149 lbs. For the rest of the Dual, Central Michigan never relinquished control.
The Chippewas won the next six duels of the night, ending the meet with eight straight wins. This included a win by Chippewa sixth-year Johnny Lovett over NIU redshirt sophomore Landen Johnson at 157 pounds and wins at every weight class from 165 pounds to 285 pounds.
The night concluded with an 8-1 decision win at 285 pounds by Central Michigan redshirt junior Bryan Caves over NIU redshirt junior Jacob Christensen. Christensen has not won a matchup since Dec. 7 against Rider University. This result saw the Chippewas triumph over the Huskies 29-11.
Speaking on his team’s performance and the outcome of the dual, NIU wrestling head coach Ryan Ludwig recognized the lessons his team learned and is emphasizing preparation going forward.
“We learned some tough lessons tonight,” Ludwig said. “We will be preparing hard for our next opportunity.”
UP NEXT
NIU wrestling continues its season at 4 p.m. Jan. 25 in Athens, Ohio, to take on the University of Ohio Bobcats. Live stats will be available on TrackWrestling.