Northwestern Dominates Maryland in Home Opener

By Northwestern Athletics

EVANSTON, Ill. — Northwestern easily handled Maryland in the home opener of the 2017-18 season, outscoring the Big Ten foe, 34-12, at historic Patten Gym on Saturday afternoon.

Chicago’s Big Ten Team improves to 3-0 in the dual slate this season.

Sebastian Rivera, the 12th-ranked 125-pounder in the nation, handily took care of Maryland’s Brandon Cray in the dual-opener. Outscoring his opponent by double-digits, he instead pinned his New Jersey compatriot in 5:53.

In his first home bout, Colin Valdiviez shut out the Terrapin wrestler, Jhared Simmons. He added four team points to the Wildcat effort, ending in a 10-0 major decision.

#HOMEGROWN product Alec McKenna continued the Wildcat winning ways, handling Peter Tedesco with a 4-1 decision.

#7 Ryan Deakin won his team-leading 10th bout of the year, a pin of Adam Whitesell in 3:56. It was his third win by fall of the season, tying for the team lead.

Joining in on the pin party was Johnny Sebastian, who did the deed to fellow New Jerseyite Josh Ugalde in 3:57. He pushed the NU advantage up to 25-6 with three bouts remaining.

#18 Mitch Sliga picked up the sixth Wildcat win of the afternoon, a 10-1 major decision over Maryland’s Spencer Woods.

Zack Chakonis logged the final Northwestern win, a commanding 16-0 Tech Fall over Niko Capello.

The Wildcats are back in action on Dec. 10 against Northern Colorado in Broomfield, Colorado, starting at 3 p.m. CT.

Northwestern 34, Maryland 12
125: #12 Sebastian Rivera (NU) Fall Brandon Cray (UMD), 5:53 | NU 6, UMD 0
133: Colin Valdiviez (NU) maj. dec. Jhared Simmons (UMD), 10-0 | NU 10, UMD 0
141: Alec McKenna (NU) dec. Peter Tedesco (UMD), 4-1 | NU 13, UMD 0
149: #7 Ryan Deakin (NU) Fall Adam Whitesell (UMD), 3:56 | NU 19, UMD 0
157: Kyle Cochran (UMD) dec. Shayne Oster (NU), 9-3 | NU 19, UMD 3
165: Brendan Burnham (UMD) dec. Michael Sepke (NU), 3-2 | NU 19, UMD 6
174: Johnny Sebastian (NU) Fall Josh Ugalde (UMD), 3:57 | NU 25, UMD 6
184: #18 Mitch Sliga (NU) maj. dec. Spencer Woods (UMD), 10-1 | NU 29, UMD 6
197: Zack Chakonis (NU) Tech. Fall Niko Capello (UMD), 16-0 (4:31) | NU 34, UMD 6
285: #12 Youssif Hemida (UMD) Fall #19 Conan Jennings (NU), 5:25 | NU 34, UMD 12