Huskie Wrestling Falls to Binghamton

By NIU Athletics

VESTAL, N.Y. – The Northern Illinois University wrestling team fell to the Bearcats of Binghamton, 35-0, in Vestal, N.Y., on Friday night.

Friday night’s match marked the first time NIU has been shut out in a dual since 2014 when Missouri defeated the Huskies, 31-0. The Huskies lost four matches by less than two points.

Sophomore Brock Hudkins, (Danville, Ind. / Danville) at 125, led Joe Nelson of Binghamton after round one, 1-0. However, Hudkins could not close Nelson out to suffer the 3-1 loss. Hudkins is 12-8 this season.

At 133, redshirt- junior Alijah Jeffery (Marion, Iowa/ Linn-Mar) suffered a 4-1 loss to Jacob Nicholson. Jeffery is 14-12 and is 5-5 in duals this season.

Caden McWhirter (Prattville, Ala./ Prattville) dropped his match to Tristan Rifanburg of Binghamton, 4-2, at 157. McWhirter suffered a first round takedown and could not recover. The Huskie redshirt-sophomore is 5-9 this season and is 4-6 in duals.

Max Ihry (Naperville, Ill./ Waubonsee Valley) was edged by Alexander Melikian of Binghamton, 7-6, at 197. The Huskie redshirt-freshman is 6-16 this season.

Caleb Gossett (St. Charles Mo., Francis Howell Central) led 6-1 going into the third period. The Huskie heavyweight got pinned by Sean Dee of Binghamton at the 5:30 mark to suffer the six-point defeat.

“We have to fight hard on Sunday and get back to aggressive wrestling,” said NIU head wrestling coach Ryan Ludwig.

The Huskies conclude their Empire State road trip as they travel to Buffalo, N.Y., to take on Mid-American Conference foe Buffalo. Action begins at 12 p.m. CT.

Binghamton 35, NIU 0
125: Joe Nelson (Binghamton) over Brock Hudkins (NIU), (Dec. 3-1)
133: Jacob Nicholson (Binghamton) over Alijah Jeffery (NIU), (Dec. 4-1)
141: Joseph Russ (Binghamton) over Anthony Rubino (NIU). (Maj. Dec. 11-2)
149: Frank Garcia (Binghamton) over Nolan Baker (NIU), (Maj. Dec. 13-1)
157: Tristan Rifanburg (Binghamton) over Caden McWhirter (NIU), (Dec. 4-2)
165: Vincenrt DePrez (Binghamton) over Andrew Scott (NIU), (Dec. 16-9)
174: Anthony Lombardo (Binghamton) over Quinton Rosser (NIU), (Dec. 10-4)
184: No. 13 Steven Schneider (Binghamton) over Bryce Gorman (NIU), (Dec. 6-0)
197: Alexander Melikian (Binghamton) over Max Ihry (NIU), (Dec. 7-6)
285: Sean Dee (Binghamton) over Caleb Gossett (NIU), (Fall 5:30)