Huskies win 29 of 30 matches in three wins

By Juan Marquez

NIU wrestling coach Dave Grant wanted to dominate the Elmhurst Duals this weekend, and the Huskies did just that.

At Saturday’s Elmhurst Duals, NIU won 29 of 30 matches in its three wins. With the wins, the Huskies improve their record to 5-0 in dual-meets.

In the first meet, NIU won all 10 of its matches in a 47-0 win over Olivet College.

Pinning their opponents were 125-pound Marlon Felton, 133-pound Sam Hiatt and 157-pound Scott Owen. Winning by technical fall were 165-pound Bryce Hasseman and heavyweight Jon Lovrich. Oliver Vasquez, a 141-pounder, along with 174-pound Bill Lowney, 184-pound Ben Heizer and 197-pound Jack Dennis all won by major decision. The closest any Olivet wrestler came to winning was Chris Dunham’s 9-4 loss to NIU 149-pounder Alex Nelson.

The Huskies had some closer matches in their 35-3 win over Loras College.

Felton, Hiatt, Heizer, 197-pound Greg Reardon and Lovrich all won by decision. Vasquez and Owen pinned their opponents and Nelson and Hasseman won by major decision. The Huskies only defeat of the day came when Loras’ Tom Andrews defeated Lowney 5-4.

The Huskies shut out host school Elmhurst College 50-0 in the final meet.

Felton, Owen, Heizer and Lovrich pinned their opponents while Hiatt, Vasquez, Nelson and Dennis won by major decision. Lowney won by decision and Hasseman won by forfeit.

“Even more important than the three wins was how we wrestled today,” Grant said. “We stayed aggressive and did a great job. I feel like we’re ready for the Midlands [Championships on Dec. 29], which will be a big test for us.”