NIU wrestling (4-3, 4-1 MAC) triumphed over the Cleveland State University Vikings (2-6, 2-4 MAC) by a score of 29-14 Friday. The win is the Huskies’ second in a row and moves the Huskies into second place in the MAC West, tied with Ohio University.
LIGHTWEIGHTS BUILD A LEAD
Continuing the season’s trend of NIU’s lightweight classes leading the way, Huskie wrestlers 157 pounds and lighter went 5-0 in Friday’s duel.
This stretch of dominance started at 125 pounds with Huskie redshirt junior and No. 15 ranked 125 pound wrestler in the country Blake West scoring a 9-1 major decision over Cleveland State redshirt junior Ben Aranda.
The Huskies’ dominance continued at 133 pounds with NIU redshirt sophomore Markel Baker out wrestling Cleveland State senior Jake Manley en route to a 4-1 decision. Baker is now 11-5 in his first season with the Huskies after transferring from George Mason University this offseason.
The Huskies finished out their early supremacy with wins at 141 pounds, 149 pounds and 157 pounds.
This run included two fall victories. First, in the 141 pound matchup with NIU redshirt sophomore Jacob Brya overcoming Cleveland State redshirt freshman Ethan Mitchell, then at 157 pounds with redshirt sophomore Landen Johnson defeating Cleveland State redshirt junior Douglas Terry. These wins gave the Huskies a 23-0 lead.
“The guys came out strong tonight and kept their foot on the gas,” said NIU wrestling head coach Ryan Ludwig. “Brya and Johnson came up big in pinning their opponents.”
BIGGER WEIGHTS BUCKLE
NIU’s first loss of the night came in the 165 pound matchup with Cleveland State redshirt sophomore Tate Geiser taking over NIU redshirt freshman Brett Smith 4-1 in a thrilling overtime matchup. The Huskies regained momentum in the 174 pound matchup with redshirt sophomore Tommy Bennett securing a tight 4-2 decision victory over Cleveland State redshirt freshman Gavin Ricketts.
NIU concluded the night losing two of its final three matchups. The Huskies’ lone win came at 197 pounds with sophomore Sean Carroll securing a 4-1 overtime victory over Cleveland State senior Joey Lyons.
“It was also nice to see Bennett and Carroll grind out some gritty matches,” Ludwig said.
In the final matchup of the duel, Huskie redshirt junior Jacob Christensen suffered a loss by fall to Cleveland State senior Daniel Bucknavich. Christensen has not won a dual matchup since his victory in the Huskies’ dual against Rider University on Nov. 22.
Despite the loss to end the night, NIU managed to secure its second win in a row.
“We need to continue to improve on the details, but I like the way we are trending,” Ludwig said.
UP NEXT
The Huskies continue their season returning home after a three-game road stretch at 7 p.m Friday to take on the University at Buffalo at the Convocation Center.