Team Effort Propels NIU to Victory over Kent State

By NIU Athletics

DEKALB, Ill. – The Northern Illinois University wrestling team used a fast start and strong finish to earn a 23-13 victory over Mid-American Conference rival Kent State in Victor E. Court Wednesday night.

“We got a good start from Bryce West,” said NIU head coach Ryan Ludwig. “He had a slow start getting his takedown, but then was able to create a scramble and found his way into a fall. Fantastic start from him. In dual meets, bonus points matter.

“Anthony Gibson, for his debut at 141, had good energy. He really got to his attacks well. He put a zero on the board for the other guy and created a major decision.”

The Huskies’ (5-3, 2-1) win over the Golden Flashes was their second straight over Kent State and first at home since Jan. 18, 2004.

With the match tied, 13-13, with three more bouts left, Brit Wilson put the Huskies up, 17-13, when he scored a 10-2 maj. dec. win over Shane Mast at 184. Gage Braun sealed the victory for NIU when he posted a hard-fought 5-4 win over Colin McCracken at 197. NIU took a 20-13 into the final bout at 285, where Max Ihry turned in NIU’s second shutout of the night with a 2-0 win over Spencer Berthold.

“Brit Wilson was able to step up as a leader and put us in a situation for a bonus-point victory and really got us back in the game,” Ludwig said. “Gage Braun, I don’t think he wrestled well, but he wrestled tough. That’s what we ask for, that you can control.”

NIU opened up a 10-3 lead through the first three matches. Bryce West started the match off with a first period pin over Tomas Gutierrez at 125, the first bout of the day. After a 3-1 setback in overtime, Anthony Gibson put the Huskies back in the win column, earning an 8-0 maj. dec. over Corey Simpson.

The two schools traded decisions in the next two matches, with Kent State scoring a win at 149 and Mason Kauffman posting 7-3 win at 157.

Kent State went on a bit of a run, winning the next two bouts, one by maj. dec., to tie the match up at 13-13.

The Huskies return to the mat Sunday, Dec. 29 when NIU wrestlers compete in the prestigious Midlands Championships. The event will take place at the Sears Centre in Hoffman Estates.

NIU 23, Kent State 13
125: Bryce West (NIU) fall Tomas Gutierrez (KSU), 2:48
133: Tim Rooney (KSU) dec. Caleb Brooks (NIU), SV-1 3-1
141: Anthony Gibson (NIU) maj. dec. Cory Simpson (KSU), 8-0
149: Kody Komara (KSU) dec. McCoy Kent (NIU), SV-1 3-1
157: Mason Kauffman (NIU) dec. Brady Chrisman (KSU), 7-3
165: Kade Byland (KSU) dec. Izzak Olejnik (NIU), 10-6
174: Andrew McNally (KSU) maj. dec. Caden McWhirter (NIU), 13-2
184: Brit Wilson (NIU) maj. dec. Shane Mast (KSU), 10-2
197: Gage Braun (NIU) dec. Colin McCracken (KSU), 5-4
285: Max Ihry (NIU) dec. Spencer Berthhold (KSU), 2-0