NIU Wrestling Falls to Eastern Michigan

By NIU Athletics

YPSILANTI, Mich. – The Northern Illinois University wrestling team fell to the Eagles of Eastern Michigan, 30-3, on Friday night in Ypsilanti, Michigan.

Max Ihry (Naperville, Ill./Waubonsee Valley), who wrestled at 197, led the way for NIU. The Huskie redshirt-freshman defeated Jared Langley of EMU, 2-0. Ihry avenged a loss to Langley earlier in the season at the Eastern Michigan Open where he lost, 4-3. Ihry is 5-13 this season including two Mid-American Conference dual wins, which is tied with Brock Hudkins (Danville, Ind./Danville) for most on the team.

“Max did a great job scrapping out that match,” said NIU head wrestling coach Ryan Ludwig.

The Huskies lost five bouts by two or less points and the Eagles came back in three of those five bouts. At 125, Hudkins fell to Tomas Gutierrez of EMU, 5-3, after leading, 3-2, going into the third round. At 149, Nolan Baker (Byron, Ill./Byron) lost a closely contested match to Kyle Springer, 9-8, after leading 7-2 after the first round.

At 157, Caden McWhirter (Prattville, Ala./Prattville) suffered a minor setback to J. J. Wolfe of EMU, 7-5, after leading Wolfe, 3-2, going into the second round. At 285, Caleb Gossett (St. Charles, Mo./Francis Howell Central) lost a closely contested match to No. 17 Gage Hutchinson of EMU, 5-3. At 133, Noah Gonser defeated Alijah Jeffery (Marion, Iowa/Linn-Mar), 4-2.

“We need to double our efforts on our next dual on Sunday,” said Ludwig.

The Huskies continue their weekend road trip travelling to Athens, Ohio to take on the Bobcats of Ohio University on Sunday, January 21. Action starts at 12 p.m. CT on ESPN3.

Eastern Michigan def. NIU, 30-3
125: Tomas Gutierrez (EMU) dec. No. 19 Brock Hudkins (NIU), 5-3
133: Noah Gonser (EMU) dec. Alijah Jeffery (NIU), 4-2
141: Sa’Derian Perry (EMU) fall Anthony Rubino (NIU), 2:22
149: Kyle Springer (EMU) dec. Nolan Baker (NIU), 9-8
157: J.J. Wolfe (EMU) dec. Caden McWhirter (NIU), 7-5
165: Zac Carson (EMU) dec. Andrew Scott (NIU), 7-3
174: Andrew McNally (EMU) dec. Quinton Rosser (NIU), 12-8
184: Kayne MacCallum (EMU) dec. Bryce Gorman (NIU), 10-3
197: Max Ihry (NIU) dec. Jared Langley (EMU), 2-0
285: No. 17 Gage Hutchison (EMU) dec. Caleb Gossett (NIU), 5-3