NIU wrestling competed in the NCAA tournament with two wrestlers taking the mat Thursday and Friday in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NIU redshirt junior Blake West and redshirt sophomore Landen Johnson represented the Huskies in their respective weight classes.
WEST FIRES EARLY BUT FALTERS
West entered the NCAA tournament as the 16th-seeded wrestler at 125 pounds following his MAC championship victory.
West drew number 17-seeded University of Pennsylvania sophomore Max Gallagher in the first round. It was a hotly contested bout but West prevailed, taking a 6-5 decision win.
West then found himself matched up against the number 1 seeded wrestler in the 125 bracket Penn State freshman Luke Lilledahl in his second match.
Lilledahl proved to be too much for West. In a one sided affair Lilledahl won a 19-3 technical fall by overwhelming West with his pressure.
West’s tournament wasn’t over with the loss, though, as he continued competing in the consolation bracket. In West’s first consolation bout he matched up against Oregon State University redshirt junior Maximo Renteria.
This was another close matchup but West got back in rhythm by pulling out another tight decision victory triumphing over Renteria 10-8.
In the next consolation round West dualed University of Nebraska graduate student Caleb Smith. Smith outpointed West in a low scoring match, shutting the Huskie down en route to a 4-1 decision.
The loss ended West’s NCAA tournament run, leaving him short of his national championship aspirations.
Despite coming up short, NIU wrestling head coach Ryan Ludwig had nothing but praise for West
“We can’t ask for a better leader than Blake (West). He’s an elite student athlete.” Ludwig said.
JOHNSON SUCCUMBS TO THE ODDS
Johnson started his day with a preliminary matchup. Johnson went against the No.-33 ranked 157 pound Columbia University junior Richard Fedalen.
Johnson won a 5-3 decision over Fedalen. This victory advanced him to the championship tournament. Johnson entered as the 32-seeded wrestler at 157 pounds.
In the first round, Johnson locked horns with Penn State University sophomore and No. 1-ranked 157 pounder Tyler Kasak.
Johnson struggled in his matchup with Kasak. Kasak outwrestled Johnson and put him out early securing a fall at 1:39 of the bout over the Huskie.
Johnson continued in the consolation bracket, matching up against George Mason University redshirt sophomore DJ McGee. McGee outworked Johnson on his way to winning a 3-2 decision.
Ludwig again praised his wrestler despite the outcome.
“Landen (Johnson) continues to excel and has made his mark in this program,” Ludwig said.
FINAL WORD
As the NCAA Championship marks the Huskies’ final event of the season, NIU will return to action next fall.
“As much as we all want it for these guys to get on the stand, at the end of the day we take great pride in the way they represent NIU Wrestling,” Ludwig said. “They train hard, live right and put it all out there every time they step on the mat.”
