Mike Bare
By NIU Athletics
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – The Northern Illinois University Wrestling team fell to Indiana, 33-6, in its first dual of the day and suffered a 28-12 decision to Cleveland State in its second at the Hoosier Duals on Saturday.
“We have adjustments to make,” said NIU head wrestling coach Ryan Ludwig. “There is no other way to say it.”
Redshirt-junior Alijah Jeffery (Marion, Iowa/ Linn Mar) and redshirt-sophomore Caleb Gossett (St. Charles, Mo./Francis Howell Central) led the way for the Huskies on the day. Jeffery defeated Indiana’s Garrett Peeple, 3-0, at 133, while Gossett posted a 12-6 victory over the Hoosiers’ Fletcher Miller at 285.
Against Cleveland State, Jeffery defeated Andrew Coghill in a tech fall, 18-3, while Gossett posted a 14-3 victory over Colin Kelly. Jeffery is 9-4 on the season and the active leader on the squad in overall wins at 60. Gossett defeated Colin Kelly, 14-3, and improved to 8-4 on the season and is 37-31 in his career as a Huskie.
“Alijah and Caleb lead us today in attitude and execution,” said Ludwig. “I was proud of their results.”
Redshirt-sophomore Caden McWhirter fell to Jake Indiana’s Danishek, 6-0, at 157 in his first bout of the season. The Huskies outscored the Hoosiers in escapes, 7-4, and reversals, 2-0, however, the Hoosiers led NIU in riding time, 4-2, and takedowns, 15-3.
Senior Quinton Rosser (Cincinnati, Ohio/Archbishop Moeller) rebounded from his loss to Indiana’s Devin Skatzka with an 11-8 victory over Gabe Stark of Cleveland State at 174. With the win, Rosser improved to 9-6 on the season. At 165, redshirt-junior Andrew Scott (Holly, Mich./Holly) suffered a closely contested loss, 3-1, to Jack Vaughn.
The Huskies are back in action Saturday, Dec. 16 when NIU welcomes Central Michigan to DeKalb in NIU’s home opener. The action begins at 7 p.m. in Chick Evans Field House.
Indiana def. NIU, 33-6
125: Forfeit
133: Alijah Jeffrey def. Garrett Pepple, 3-0
141: Cole Weaver def. Antony Rubino, fall (1:21)
149: Davey Tunon def. Zack Velasquez, 5-0
157: Jake Danishek def. Caden McWhirter, 6-0
165: Bryce Martin def. Andrew Scott, 7-1
174: Devin Skatzka def. Quinton Rosser, fall (0:47)
184:Norman Conley def. Bryce Gorman, 5-2
197: Jakob Hinz def. Max Ihry, 5-3
285: Caleb Gossett def. Fletcher Miller, 12-6
Cleveland State def. NIU, 28-12
125: Forfeit
133: Alijah Jeffery def. Andrew Coghill, tech fall 18-3
141: Evan Cheek def. Bryce Thurston, 14-3
149: Ryan Ford def. Zack Velasquez, 2-1
157: Georgio Poullas def. Caden McWhirter, 10-6
165: John Vaughn def. Andrew Scott, 3-1
174: Quinton Rosser def. Gabe Stark, 11-8
184: Nick Corba def. Bryce Gorman, 8-5
197: John Kelby def. Max Ihry, fall (6:59)
285: Caleb Gossett def. Colin Kelly, 14-3
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