Wrestling

Huskies and Cougars Start the Weekend with a Win

Friday Wrestling results
Northern Illinois 29, Cleveland State 14
SIU Edwardsville 25, California Baptist 14
 
Recaps courtesy of Athletic Communications Departments

Northern Illinois 29, Cleveland State 14
CLEVELAND, Ohio—Four of the first five bouts featured bonus points for the Huskies as the Northern Illinois University wrestling program defeated the Cleveland State University Vikings, 2914.
 
The Huskies move to 4-3 on the year and 4-1 in MAC duals. This is the Huskies fifth straight win against the Vikings.
  
Blake West collected his sixth major decision win of the season as he defeated Ben Aranda 9-1 in the opening bout. West, who is ranked No. 12 by WrestleStat and No. 19 by Intermat, moves to 16-5 on the season and 5-0 in MAC duals.
 
Markel Baker remains undefeated in conference action after he faced Jake Manley. Baker posted a 4-1 decision at 133 pounds, his third consecutive win.
 
Jacob Brya collected his second fall of the season as he defeated Ethan Mitchell in 4:28.

At 149 pounds, Collin Arch got his first major decision victory of the season over AJ Parish. Arch posted a 15-2 score as he collected his first conference win of the season.
 
At 157 pounds, Landen Johnson marked his seventh pin of the season and fastest pin. Johnson earned his victory in just 50 seconds over Douglas Terry.
 
Tommy Bennett posted a 4-2 decision over Gavin Ricketts at 174 pounds.
 
The final Huskie victory came at 197 pounds as Sean Carroll  took on Joey Lyons. The bout went to sudden victory with Carroll posting a 4-1 win for his third MAC win.
 
Brett Smith  took on Tate Geiser in the 165-pound bout, falling in sudden victory, 4-1. Austin Stewart faced off against JR Reed at 184 pounds, losing via technical fall. At the 285-pound bout, Jacob Christensen  took on No. 30 Daniel Bucknavich. Christensen was defeated via fall (1:57) as the Huskies claimed their fourth conference win of the season.
 
The Huskies return to action on February 7 as they host Buffalo in the NIU Convocation Center in the annual "Beauty and the Beast" dual. Action is set to get underway at 7 p.m. for the Huskies Senior Night.
 

SIU Edwardsville 25, California Baptist 14
RIVERSIDE, Calif. - SIUE wrestling's west coast swing began with a great start Friday night as the Cougars defeated CBU 25-14.

SIUE improved to 6-5 in dual matches this season and have now won three straight duals. California Baptist fell to 5-8. The Cougars next travel to San Luis Obispo for face Cal Poly on Sunday.

SIUE's Danny Martinez led the Cougars, earning a second-period pin (4:15) over Brady Hoshino at 141 pounds. The Cougars also earned bonus points at 149 pounds with a major decision victory by Hayden Whidden as well as a forfeit at 133 pounds for Marcel Lopez.

Deron Pulliam set the pace early with the opening match at 184 pounds, defeating Mason Espinoza 9-4. SIUE also picked up wins from Drew Davis (125) and Luke Odom (174).