NIU wrestling (3-3, 3-1 MAC) outdueled the Ohio University Bobcats (5-3, 3-1 MAC) 21-20 in a come from behind effort in Saturday’s dual meet. As a result, the Bobcats – who were previously undefeated in the Mid-American Conference – no longer lead the MAC West Division.
BIG TROUBLES
Saturday’s dual started at 149 pounds with Huskie redshirt sophomore Tommy Curran matching up against Bobcat redshirt sophomore Derek Raike. It was a gritty, physical duel resulting in Raike out wrestling Curran to take a 14-6 major decision.
In the next matchup of the meet, the Huskies regained some momentum. NIU redshirt sophomore Landen Johnson and Bobcat redshirt sophomore Logan Cravatas headlined the 157 pound matchup.
Cravatas had no answer for Johnson, who racked up riding time over the three periods and secured a 16-0 technical fall. Johnson currently leads the Huskies in falls on the season with six.
The Huskies faced adversity in the next matchup of the day. Wrestling at 165 pounds, NIU redshirt freshman Brett Smith took on Ohio redshirt sophomore Jack Lledo which resulted in a very close match.
The score was tied at 4-4 heading into the third period. Smith went up 5-4 early in the third but Lledo answered with a late takedown to take a 7-5 advantage. Lledo proceeded by successfully avoiding Smith’s attempt to reclaim the lead, securing the 7-6 victory.
From there, NIU lost three of the next four matches of the day. The losing spree started with a dominant win by Bobcat redshirt junior Garrett Thompson over Huskie redshirt sophomore Tommy Bennett. Thompson is the No. 12 ranked 174 pound wrestler in the country and lived up to his ranking, overwhelming Bennett en route to a 15-4 major decision win.
NIU’s only win during this stretch came at 197 pounds by Huskie sophomore Sean Carroll against Bobcat redshirt freshman Max Ray in a close 4-2 decision.
Carroll’s win was instrumental in keeping the Huskies’ hopes alive down the stretch. NIU wrestling head coach Ryan Ludwig praised his effort.
“Sean Carroll with a huge win at 197 put our lightweights in position to close things out,” Ludwig said.
This run concluded with a win by the No. 21 nationally ranked 285 pound wrestler as Ohio redshirt senior Jordan Greer overcame NIU redshirt junior Jacob Christensen with a 15-3 major decision.
LIGHTER WEIGHTS COME UP BIG
The pendulum would swing again in NIU’s favor with the emergence of the lighter weight classes at the end of the dual.
The momentum shift was ignited at 125 pounds with NIU redshirt junior Blake West – the No. 24 ranked 125 pound wrestler in the country – securing a 15-4 major decision over Bobcat sophomore Ryan Meek. This victory was the 90th of West’s career. He currently ranks seventh in NIU history for career wins.
NIU redshirt sophomore Markel Baker came up big in the next match securing a technical fall over Bobcat redshirt senior TJ England. Baker’s 20-4 victory brought the Huskies within three (17-20), giving NIU a chance to win in the last matchup of the night at 141 pounds.
At 141 pounds it was NIU redshirt sophomore Jacob Brya dueling for the win against Ohio redshirt freshman Kaden Jett. Brya displayed a high level of physical effort, applying pressure over the three periods.
Brya’s effort paid off when he took a major decision 12-0 win over Jett, giving him the win and also securing the Huskies’ 21-20 victory.
Speaking on the late push by West, Baker and Brya, Ludwig praised the trio’s leadership.
“Blake, Markel and Jake Brya really showed their leadership with bonus point victories while their opponents were closing off,” Ludwig said. “I’m proud of their attitude, effort and execution.”
UP NEXT
NIU continues its season at 6 p.m Friday in Cleveland, Ohio, to take on the Cleveland State University Vikings.