Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
Northern Ill
Wrestling Taken Down by Northern Illinois, 24-15
1/20/2002 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Jan. 20, 2002
DeKalb, Ill. - For the second time this weekend, the Northwestern wrestling team came out with an early lead only to fall in the final matches. Northern Illinois won four of the final five matches in Sunday's nonconference dual to defeat the Wildcats, 24-15. The loss drops NU's dual record to 7-6.
As in Friday night's match against Purdue, the 'Cats began strong, jumping out to an early 6-0 lead on wins by 197-pounder Brendan Curran (Chicago, Ill.Mt. Carmel) and heavyweight Mike Little (El Reno, Okla./El Reno).
The Huskies evened the score at 6-6 with wins at 125-pounds and 133-pounds. Oliver Vasquez of NIU was then disqualified at 141-pounds, giving John Giacche (Flemington, Ill./Blair Academy) the win and the Wildcats a 12-6 advantage.
Ryan Kane (Temecula, Calif./Temecula Valley) posted a win at 165-pounds to bring the 'Cats within two, but that is as close as they would get. A loss at 174 meant NU needed a pin in the final match to pull out a victory. Unfortunately, Ben Heizer had other ideas. NIU's 184-pounder dominated Andrew Curran (Chicago, Ill.Mt. Carmel), locking up the Huskie win with a 9-1 major decision.
The 'Cats return to Big Ten action next Friday when they host 18th-ranked Illinois at 7 p.m. in Welsh-Ryan Arena.
Results
197: Brendan Curran (NU) dec. Jack Dennis (NIU), 8-5, 3-0 HWT: Mike Little (NU) dec. Jon Lovrich (NIU), 6-2ot, 6-0 125: Marlon Felton (NIU) dec. Rob Potashnick (NU), 8-1, 6-3 133: Sam Hiatt (NIU) dec. Tommy Vargas (NU) 4-3, 6-6 141: John Giacche (NU) wins by disqualification over Oliver Vasquez, 12-6 149: Alex Nelson (NIU) wins by injury forfeit over Ryan Cumbee (NU), 12-12 157: Scott Owen (NIU) TECH FALL Mike Kimberlin (NU), 5:18, 12-17 165: Ryan Kane (NU) dec. Bryce Hasserman (NIU), 8-3, 15-17 174: Bill Lowney (NIU) dec. Jason Erwinski (NU), 3-2, 15-20 184: Ben Heizer (NIU) maj. dec. Andrew Curran, 9-1, 24-15
