NIU Grapplers Dominant in Win at Ohio

ATHENS, Ohio – The Northern Illinois University wrestling team turned in a dominant performance as the Huskies posted a 31-6 victory at Ohio Sunday afternoon.

The win was the first for NIU (11-4, 6-2) over the Bobcats since Jan. 18, 2008 and the Huskies’ 11 wins this season are the most since the 2007-08 NIU wrestling team went 11-7. The Huskies won eight of the 10 bouts on the day, including four bonus point wins.

“From top to bottom of the lineup, our guys came to wrestle hard and score points today,” said NIU head coach Ryan Ludwig. “We talked about getting better after Friday and they responded well. The coaches are proud of the way this team competed this weekend.”

Bryce West set the tone of the day when he posted a 20-6 tech. fall win over Trevor Giallonbardo at 125, and Caleb Brooks followed that up with a 6-4 win in overtime at 133.

The Bobcats scored wins at 141 and 149 to cut the NIU lead to 8-6 with six matches left. Mason Kauffman put NIU back in the win column with a 5-1 decision at 157. Izzak Olejnik recorded a fall with 12 seconds left in his match to give the Huskies a 17-6 advantage.

Kenny Moore and Brit Wilson posted back-to-back maj. dec. victories to put the Huskies up by 19. Moore defeated Logan Stanley, 12-2, at 174, while Wilson scored a 10-0 win at 184.

Gage Braun earned a 6-0 shutout at 197 and Max Ihry’s 3-2 win at 285 punctuated the Huskie victory.

The Huskies return to the mat Friday, Feb. 14 when NIU welcomes Buffalo to Victor E. Court. To open a two-match homestand. The match begins at 7 p.m. and will be shown on ESPN+.

NIU 31, Ohio 6

125: Bryce West (NIU) tech. fall Trevor Giallombardo (Ohio), 20-6
133: Caleb Brooks (NIU) dec. Giovanni DiSabato (Ohio), 6-4 SV-1
141: No. 17 Shakur Laney (Ohio) dec. Anthony Gibson (NIU), 9-5
149: Alec Hagan (Ohio) dec. McCoy Kent (NIU), 6-3
157: Mason Kauffman (NIU) dec. Kade Kowalski (Ohio), 5-1
165: Izzak Olejnik (NIU) fall Joe Terry (Ohio), 6:48
174: Kenny Moore (NIU) maj. dec. Logan Stanley (Ohio), 12-2
184: Brit Wilson (NIU) maj. dec. Hunter Yeargan (Ohio), 10-0
197: Gage Braun (NIU) dec. Jake Walker (Ohio), 6-0
285: Max Ihry (NIU) dec. Jordan Earnest (Ohio), 3-2