At the conclusion of the meet, NIU head coach Ryan Ludwig discussed how he felt the team performed.
"I'm proud of the way we came out firing and stayed on the gas today. Alijah Jeffery set the tone with a quick fall," said Ludwig.
The meet started at the 133-pound weight class and was over before fans could sit in their seats. Redshirt Sophomore Alijah Jeffery (Marion, Iowa/Linn-Mar) recorded the first pin of the day within 48 seconds.
Steve Bleise (Chelsea, Mich./Chelsea) gave the Huskies a convincing lead, 11-3, after defeating Ty Buckiso in technical fall fashion, 17-2.
Perhaps the most intense dual of the day came in the 157-pound weight class. Redshirt freshman Caden McWhirter (Pratville, Ala./Pratville) continued his dual success by defeating the Bulldogs' returning NCAA qualifier, Aaron Walker. Despite the clock being out, McWhirter was able to secure a 6-0 lead in the first period. Walker fought back in the second and brought the score within one-point. The two traded points in the third but McWhirter held onto his lead and eventually came out on top, winning by decision, 15-11. Walker hasn't lost a dual match since Jan. 9th, 2015.
Ludwig was pleased with how Caden showed up early in the match.
"Caden came out and got to work early in his match. It was a good battle between two high quality wrestlers," Ludwig said.
The second pin of the day came from Trace Engelkes (Winnebago, Ill./Winnebago) as he improved his record to 8-1 on the season. He had a strong showing over Bradley Mewhorter by recording his fourth fall of the season in the first period. The Huskie grapplers gained six more team points, extending their lead 22-6. Following Englekes, Bryce Gorman (Manhattan, Ill./Lincoln-Way Central) notched the third pin over Chandler Sambets of The Citadel.
The last three matches were in the Huskies favor as 197-pound Shawn Scott (Holly, Mich./Holly) won by a narrow decision of 2-0. Heavyweight Caleb Gossett (St. Charles, Mo./Francis Howell) took an early lead after a first period takedown to secure the win. At 125-pounds, Brock Hudkins (Danville, Ind./Danville) capped off the meet with a win by decision, 8-2.
The Huskies will have a week off from competition then will be back on the mats as they head to Evanston, Ill. for the Midlands Championships Thursday, Dec. 29 and Friday, Dec. 30.
Results:
125 Brock Hudkins (NIU) over Patrick Kearney (Citadel) (Dec 8-2)
133 Alijah Jeffrey (NIU) over Andrew Szalwinski (Citadel) (Fall, 0:48)
141 Douglas Gudenburr (Citadel) over Anthony Rubino (NIU) (Dec 4-1)
149 Steve Bleise (NIU) over Ty Buckiso (Citadel) (TF, 17-2 7:00)
157 Caden McWhirter (NIU) over Aaron Walker (Citadel) (Dec 15-11)
165 Andrew Scott (NIU) over Russ Hill (Citadel) (Dec 6-3)
174 Trace Engelkes (NIU) over Bradley Mewhorter (Citadel) (Fall, 1:59)
184 Bryce Gorman (NIU) over Chandler Sambets (Citadel) (Fall, 1:49)
197 Shawn Scott (NIU) over Sawyer Root (Citadel) (Dec 2-1)
285 Caleb Gossett (NIU) over Joe Bexley (Citadel) (Dec 8-4)
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