NIU wrestling (5-3, 5-1 MAC) trounced the University at Buffalo Bulls (4-10, 2-3 MAC) by a score of 28-8 Friday in the annual Beauty and the Beast meet. The win is the third in a row for the Huskies and puts them at first in the MAC West.
A COMPLETE PERFORMANCE
NIU wrestling won eight of their 10 matchups of the night.
The action started at 174 pounds with NIU redshirt sophomore Tommy Bennett securing a 5-4 win in a tight contest over University at Buffalo redshirt freshman Rafael Knapp. Bennett landed a takedown in the final seconds to bring the score from 2-4 to 5-4 in a clutch showing.
“Just keep moving my feet,” Bennett said. “I’ve been in those situations before a lot last year where I didn’t get it done, but it’s a lot of even when you’re tired, move your feet, even if it’s not a perfect shot, take a shot. Because in late situations you need to make something happen. As long as you keep moving, good things happen.”
NIU stumbled at 184 pounds where redshirt sophomore Austin Stewart struggled to gain any momentum against Bulls redshirt senior Marcus Petite. Stewart lost via 21-2 technical fall at 6:15 into the matchup.
The Huskies stormed back in the next matchup at 197 pounds where NIU sophomore Sean Carroll delivered a 4-1 decision win over Bulls redshirt sophomore Lonnell Pabon in a physical duel.
NIU continued their momentum at 285 pounds where Huskie redshirt junior Jacob Christensen took a 4-1 overtime victory over University at Buffalo redshirt senior Robbie Unruh. This is Christensen’s first victory in a dual matchap since his win in the Huskies’ dual against Rider University on Nov. 22.
NIU’s lighter weight classes continued the momentum at 125 pounds. Huskies redshirt junior and No. 13 ranked 125 pound wrestler in the country Blake West cultivated a suffocating 12-0 major decision victory over Bulls sophomore Max Elton.
The Huskies closed the night out winning four of their last five matchups with wins in every weight class from 133-157 pounds. The only loss for NIU came in the last matchup of the dual at 165 pounds where redshirt freshman Brett Smith lost 4-2 to Bulls graduate student Hunter Shaut.
“We’re really excited to see the growth and development in the last couple weeks,” said NIU wrestling head coach Ryan Ludwig. “To find a way to dig dip and get through these tough spots, and that’s what changed the tide in a lot of those close matches. We applauded our guys’ efforts on that and that’s a big change for us and we’re happy to see that progression.”
UP NEXT
The Huskies continue their season going back on the road at 7:30 p.m Friday in San Luis Obispo, California, to take on the California Polytechnic State University Mustangs. Stats will be available on TrackWrestling.
