Northwestern University Athletics
Saturday, November 11
East Lansing, Mich.
8:30 a.m. CT
Northwestern
at
Michigan State Open
Photo by: Donald Crocker
Wildcats Claim Two Titles, Nine Podium Finishes At Michigan State Open
11/11/2023 5:04:00 PM | Wrestling
VanderVere, Bostelman win weight classes
EAST LANSING, Mich. (November 11, 2023) – Joel VanderVere and Jacob Bostelman claimed titles in their respective weight classes, highlighting a group of nine Wildcats to secure top-eight finishes as Northwestern opened its 2023-24 season today at the Michigan State Open in East Lansing, Mich.
After receiving an opening-round bye in the open division at 141 pounds, VanderVere opened his stay inside Jenison Field House with a 7-3 decision over Danny Curran (Northern Illinois). Following an 11-7 win over Michigan's Sergio Lemley in the semifinals, VavnderVere capped off a 3-0 afternoon with a 5-3 decision victory, topping Ja`Kerion Merritt (Central Michigan) to finish first overall.
Bostelman dazzled in the 157-pound freshman/sophomore division, opening his day with back-to-back wins by technical fall to book a spot in the semifinals. After a 4-2 victory over Wisconsin's Royce Nilo, Bostelman closed out a spotless afternoon of his own, downing Gavynn Carpenter (Northern Illinois) by a count of 4-3 in the final.
Gallery: (11-11-2023) Wrestling vs. Michigan State Open
Sam Cartella turned in a standout showing in the open division at 149 pounds. After dropping his first bout of the day, Cartella battled his way through the back side of the bracket, rattling off five straight wins on his way to a third-place finish. His run included an impressive 8-3 decision over No. 14 Willie McDougald (Oklahoma) ahead of a 9-1 major decision win against Central Michigan's Trenton Wachter in the third-place match.
The pairing of Evan Bates and Jack Jessen placed second and third, respectively, in the open division at 197 pounds. Bates scored wins over Big Ten opposition in his first two bouts, dispatching Lucas Daly (Michigan State), 8-0, and Brendin Yatooma (Michigan), 5-2, en route to a runner-up finish. Jessen notched two wins by major decision and one victory by technical fall, including a 10-1 triumph over Yatooma to secure third.
Kolby McClain started fast in the freshman/sophomore division at 141 pounds, defeating Dy`Vaire VanDyke (Michigan State) by fall at 2:55. McClain, who finished second overall, built on that effort with a dramatic 7-1 win in tiebreakers over Kellan Aure (Central Michigan) in the semifinal round.
Maxx Mayfield battled his way to a fourth-place finish in the open division at 165 pounds. Mayfield picked up three wins on the day, including an 8-2 decision against Michigan's Beau Mantanona in the consolation semifinals.
Dirk Morley and Massey Odiotti rounded the Wildcats' group of podium finishers on the day. Morley bookended his stay in The Mitten State with wins by fall over Zain Bell (Findlay), the second of which saw him claim fifth in the freshman/sophomore division at heavyweight. Odiotti, who took sixth in the freshman/sophomore division at 125 pounds, posted wins in each of his first two bouts.
UP NEXT
Northwestern returns to action on Saturday, November 18 at the Lindenwood Open in St. Charles, Mo.
Complete Michigan State Open Results (all rankings listed are InterMat Rankings)
125 lbs: Massey Odiotti – 6th place (Fresh./Soph. Division)
Champ. Round 1 - Massey Odiotti (Northwestern) won by decision over Caden Horwath (Michigan) (Dec 8-2)
Quarterfinal - Massey Odiotti (Northwestern) won by decision over Grant Stahl (Central Michigan) (Dec 10-3)
Semifinal - Kaden Chinavare (Central Michigan) won by decision over Massey Odiotti (Northwestern) (Dec 7-5)
Cons. Semi - Caden Horwath (Michigan) won by decision over Massey Odiotti (Northwestern) (Dec 14-11)
5th Place Match - Caleb Weiand (Michigan State) won by decision over Massey Odiotti (Northwestern) (Dec 5-3)
133 lbs: Luis Bazan (Fresh./Soph. Division)
Champ. Round 1 - Luis Bazan (Northwestern) received a bye
Quarterfinal - Nicolar Rivera (Wisconsin) won by major decision over Luis Bazan (Northwestern) (Maj 12-4)
Cons. Round 2 - Luis Bazan (Northwestern) won by decision over Brady Vogt (Grand Valley State) (Dec 8-3)
Cons. Round 3 - Collin Twigg (Grand Valley State) won by fall over Luis Bazan (Northwestern) (Fall 5:00)
141 lbs: Kolby McClain – 2nd place (Fresh./Soph. Division)
Champ. Round 1 - Kolby McClain (Northwestern) received a bye
Quarterfinal - Kolby McClain (Northwestern) won by fall over Dy`Vaire VanDyke (Michigan State) (Fall 2:55)
Semifinal - Kolby McClain (Northwestern) won in tie breaker - 1 over Kellan Aure (Central Michigan) (TB-1 7-1)
1st Place Match - Jimmy Nugent (Central Michigan) won by major decision over Kolby McClain (Northwestern) (Maj 11-3)
149 lbs: Kai Neumark (Fresh./Soph. Division)
Champ. Round 1 - Kai Neumark (Northwestern) received a bye
Quarterfinal - Brock Herman (Ohio State) won by major decision over Kai Neumark (Northwestern) (Maj 13-5)
Cons. Round 2 - Kai Neumark (Northwestern) won by major decision over Josh McMillian (Grand Valley State) (Maj 9-0)
Cons. Round 3 - Collin Arch (Northern Illinois) won by major decision over Kai Neumark (Northwestern) (Maj 14-6)
157 lbs: Jacob Bostelman – 1st Place (Fresh./Soph. Division)
Champ. Round 1 - Jacob Bostelman (Northwestern) won by tech fall over Cayden Strong (Grand Valley State) (TF 18-2)
Quarterfinal - Jacob Bostelman (Northwestern) won by tech fall over Zachary Jacobs (Albion College) (TF 16-0)
Semifinal - Jacob Bostelman (Northwestern) won by decision over Royce Nilo (Wisconsin) (Dec 4-2)
1st Place Match - Jacob Bostelman (Northwestern) won by decision over Gavynn Carpenter (Northern Illinois) (Dec 4-3)
174 lbs: Andre Rocker (Fresh./Soph. Division)
Champ. Round 1 - Owen Turnbow (Albion College) won by major decision over Andre Rocker (Northwestern) (Maj 15-5)
Cons. Round 1 - Nate Mansor (Grand Valley State) won by fall over Andre Rocker (Northwestern) (Fall 2:34)
285 lbs: Dirk Morley – 5th Place (Fresh./Soph. Division)
Champ. Round 1 - Dirk Morley (Northwestern) received a bye
Quarterfinal - Dirk Morley (Northwestern) won by fall over Zain Bell (Findlay) (Fall 2:05)
Semifinal - Max Vanadia (Michigan State) won by major decision over Dirk Morley (Northwestern) (Maj 17-5)
Cons. Semi - Owen Hawley (Grand Valley State) won by fall over Dirk Morley (Northwestern) (Fall 3:31)
5th Place Match - Dirk Morley (Northwestern) won by fall over Zain Bell (Findlay) (Fall 3:44)
141 lbs: Joel VanderVere – 1st Place (Open Division)
Champ. Round 1 - Joel VanderVere (Northwestern) received a bye
Quarterfinal - Joel VanderVere (Northwestern) won by decision over Danny Curran (Northern Illinois) (Dec 7-3)
Semifinal - Joel VanderVere (Northwestern) won by decision over Sergio Lemley (Michigan) (Dec 11-7)
1st Place Match - Joel VanderVere (Northwestern) won by decision over Ja`Kerion Merritt (Central Michigan) (Dec 5-3)
149 lbs: Sam Cartella – 3rd Place (Open Division)
Champ. Round 1 - Joseph Zargo (Wisconsin) won by decision over Sam Cartella (Northwestern) (Dec 13-7)
Cons. Round 1 - Sam Cartella (Northwestern) won by major decision over Dylan Gilcher (Michigan) (Maj 13-0)
Cons. Round 2 - Sam Cartella (Northwestern) won by tech fall over Braden Stauffenberg (Michigan State) (TF 19-3)
Cons. Round 3 - Sam Cartella (Northwestern) won by decision over Aidan Medora (Wisconsin) (Dec 10-3)
Cons. Semi - Sam Cartella (Northwestern) won by decision over No. 14 Willie McDougald (Oklahoma) (Dec 8-3)
3rd Place Match - Sam Cartella (Northwestern) won by major decision over Trenton Wachter (Central Michigan) (Maj 9-1)
149 lbs: Aiden Vandenbush (Open Division)
Champ. Round 1 - Braden Stauffenberg (Michigan State) won by decision over Aiden Vandenbush (Northwestern) (Dec 5-4)
Cons. Round 1 - Tommy Curran (Northern Illinois) won by decision over Aiden Vandenbush (Northwestern) (Dec 5-3)
165 lbs: No. 9 Maxx Mayfield – 4th Place (Open Division)
Champ. Round 1 - Maxx Mayfield (Northwestern) won by tech fall over Hassan Ajami (Unattached) (TF 16-1)
Quarterfinal - Maxx Mayfield (Northwestern) won by decision over Tommy Bennett (Northern Illinois) (Dec 8-5)
Semifinal – No. 10 Caleb Fish (Michigan State) won by decision over Maxx Mayfield (Northwestern) (Dec 2-0)
Cons. Semi - Maxx Mayfield (Northwestern) won by decision over Beau Mantanona (Michigan) (Dec 8-2)
3rd Place Match – No. 30 Cael Carlson (Oklahoma) won by decision over Maxx Mayfield (Northwestern) (Dec 3-1)
197 lbs: No. 20 Evan Bates – 2nd Place (Open Division)
Champ. Round 1 - Evan Bates (Northwestern) received a bye
Quarterfinal - Evan Bates (Northwestern) won by major decision over Lucas Daly (Michigan State) (Maj 8-0)
Semifinal - Evan Bates (Northwestern) won by decision over Brendin Yatooma (Michigan) (Dec 5-2)
1st Place Match – No. 2 Stephen Buchanan (Oklahoma) won by major decision over Evan Bates (Northwestern) (Maj 9-0)
197 lbs: Jack Jessen – 3rd Place (Open Division)
Champ. Round 1 - Jack Jessen (Northwestern) received a bye
Quarterfinal - Jack Jessen (Northwestern) won by major decision over Cameron Wood (Central Michigan) (Maj 13-3)
Semifinal – No. 2 Stephen Buchanan (Oklahoma) won by tech fall over Jack Jessen (Northwestern) (TF 19-2)
Cons. Semi - Jack Jessen (Northwestern) won by fall over Kael Wisler (Michigan State) (Fall 4:10)
3rd Place Match - Jack Jessen (Northwestern) won by major decision over Brendin Yatooma (Michigan) (Maj 10-1)
After receiving an opening-round bye in the open division at 141 pounds, VanderVere opened his stay inside Jenison Field House with a 7-3 decision over Danny Curran (Northern Illinois). Following an 11-7 win over Michigan's Sergio Lemley in the semifinals, VavnderVere capped off a 3-0 afternoon with a 5-3 decision victory, topping Ja`Kerion Merritt (Central Michigan) to finish first overall.
Bostelman dazzled in the 157-pound freshman/sophomore division, opening his day with back-to-back wins by technical fall to book a spot in the semifinals. After a 4-2 victory over Wisconsin's Royce Nilo, Bostelman closed out a spotless afternoon of his own, downing Gavynn Carpenter (Northern Illinois) by a count of 4-3 in the final.
Sam Cartella turned in a standout showing in the open division at 149 pounds. After dropping his first bout of the day, Cartella battled his way through the back side of the bracket, rattling off five straight wins on his way to a third-place finish. His run included an impressive 8-3 decision over No. 14 Willie McDougald (Oklahoma) ahead of a 9-1 major decision win against Central Michigan's Trenton Wachter in the third-place match.
The pairing of Evan Bates and Jack Jessen placed second and third, respectively, in the open division at 197 pounds. Bates scored wins over Big Ten opposition in his first two bouts, dispatching Lucas Daly (Michigan State), 8-0, and Brendin Yatooma (Michigan), 5-2, en route to a runner-up finish. Jessen notched two wins by major decision and one victory by technical fall, including a 10-1 triumph over Yatooma to secure third.
Kolby McClain started fast in the freshman/sophomore division at 141 pounds, defeating Dy`Vaire VanDyke (Michigan State) by fall at 2:55. McClain, who finished second overall, built on that effort with a dramatic 7-1 win in tiebreakers over Kellan Aure (Central Michigan) in the semifinal round.
Maxx Mayfield battled his way to a fourth-place finish in the open division at 165 pounds. Mayfield picked up three wins on the day, including an 8-2 decision against Michigan's Beau Mantanona in the consolation semifinals.
Dirk Morley and Massey Odiotti rounded the Wildcats' group of podium finishers on the day. Morley bookended his stay in The Mitten State with wins by fall over Zain Bell (Findlay), the second of which saw him claim fifth in the freshman/sophomore division at heavyweight. Odiotti, who took sixth in the freshman/sophomore division at 125 pounds, posted wins in each of his first two bouts.
UP NEXT
Northwestern returns to action on Saturday, November 18 at the Lindenwood Open in St. Charles, Mo.
Complete Michigan State Open Results (all rankings listed are InterMat Rankings)
125 lbs: Massey Odiotti – 6th place (Fresh./Soph. Division)
Champ. Round 1 - Massey Odiotti (Northwestern) won by decision over Caden Horwath (Michigan) (Dec 8-2)
Quarterfinal - Massey Odiotti (Northwestern) won by decision over Grant Stahl (Central Michigan) (Dec 10-3)
Semifinal - Kaden Chinavare (Central Michigan) won by decision over Massey Odiotti (Northwestern) (Dec 7-5)
Cons. Semi - Caden Horwath (Michigan) won by decision over Massey Odiotti (Northwestern) (Dec 14-11)
5th Place Match - Caleb Weiand (Michigan State) won by decision over Massey Odiotti (Northwestern) (Dec 5-3)
133 lbs: Luis Bazan (Fresh./Soph. Division)
Champ. Round 1 - Luis Bazan (Northwestern) received a bye
Quarterfinal - Nicolar Rivera (Wisconsin) won by major decision over Luis Bazan (Northwestern) (Maj 12-4)
Cons. Round 2 - Luis Bazan (Northwestern) won by decision over Brady Vogt (Grand Valley State) (Dec 8-3)
Cons. Round 3 - Collin Twigg (Grand Valley State) won by fall over Luis Bazan (Northwestern) (Fall 5:00)
141 lbs: Kolby McClain – 2nd place (Fresh./Soph. Division)
Champ. Round 1 - Kolby McClain (Northwestern) received a bye
Quarterfinal - Kolby McClain (Northwestern) won by fall over Dy`Vaire VanDyke (Michigan State) (Fall 2:55)
Semifinal - Kolby McClain (Northwestern) won in tie breaker - 1 over Kellan Aure (Central Michigan) (TB-1 7-1)
1st Place Match - Jimmy Nugent (Central Michigan) won by major decision over Kolby McClain (Northwestern) (Maj 11-3)
149 lbs: Kai Neumark (Fresh./Soph. Division)
Champ. Round 1 - Kai Neumark (Northwestern) received a bye
Quarterfinal - Brock Herman (Ohio State) won by major decision over Kai Neumark (Northwestern) (Maj 13-5)
Cons. Round 2 - Kai Neumark (Northwestern) won by major decision over Josh McMillian (Grand Valley State) (Maj 9-0)
Cons. Round 3 - Collin Arch (Northern Illinois) won by major decision over Kai Neumark (Northwestern) (Maj 14-6)
157 lbs: Jacob Bostelman – 1st Place (Fresh./Soph. Division)
Champ. Round 1 - Jacob Bostelman (Northwestern) won by tech fall over Cayden Strong (Grand Valley State) (TF 18-2)
Quarterfinal - Jacob Bostelman (Northwestern) won by tech fall over Zachary Jacobs (Albion College) (TF 16-0)
Semifinal - Jacob Bostelman (Northwestern) won by decision over Royce Nilo (Wisconsin) (Dec 4-2)
1st Place Match - Jacob Bostelman (Northwestern) won by decision over Gavynn Carpenter (Northern Illinois) (Dec 4-3)
174 lbs: Andre Rocker (Fresh./Soph. Division)
Champ. Round 1 - Owen Turnbow (Albion College) won by major decision over Andre Rocker (Northwestern) (Maj 15-5)
Cons. Round 1 - Nate Mansor (Grand Valley State) won by fall over Andre Rocker (Northwestern) (Fall 2:34)
285 lbs: Dirk Morley – 5th Place (Fresh./Soph. Division)
Champ. Round 1 - Dirk Morley (Northwestern) received a bye
Quarterfinal - Dirk Morley (Northwestern) won by fall over Zain Bell (Findlay) (Fall 2:05)
Semifinal - Max Vanadia (Michigan State) won by major decision over Dirk Morley (Northwestern) (Maj 17-5)
Cons. Semi - Owen Hawley (Grand Valley State) won by fall over Dirk Morley (Northwestern) (Fall 3:31)
5th Place Match - Dirk Morley (Northwestern) won by fall over Zain Bell (Findlay) (Fall 3:44)
141 lbs: Joel VanderVere – 1st Place (Open Division)
Champ. Round 1 - Joel VanderVere (Northwestern) received a bye
Quarterfinal - Joel VanderVere (Northwestern) won by decision over Danny Curran (Northern Illinois) (Dec 7-3)
Semifinal - Joel VanderVere (Northwestern) won by decision over Sergio Lemley (Michigan) (Dec 11-7)
1st Place Match - Joel VanderVere (Northwestern) won by decision over Ja`Kerion Merritt (Central Michigan) (Dec 5-3)
149 lbs: Sam Cartella – 3rd Place (Open Division)
Champ. Round 1 - Joseph Zargo (Wisconsin) won by decision over Sam Cartella (Northwestern) (Dec 13-7)
Cons. Round 1 - Sam Cartella (Northwestern) won by major decision over Dylan Gilcher (Michigan) (Maj 13-0)
Cons. Round 2 - Sam Cartella (Northwestern) won by tech fall over Braden Stauffenberg (Michigan State) (TF 19-3)
Cons. Round 3 - Sam Cartella (Northwestern) won by decision over Aidan Medora (Wisconsin) (Dec 10-3)
Cons. Semi - Sam Cartella (Northwestern) won by decision over No. 14 Willie McDougald (Oklahoma) (Dec 8-3)
3rd Place Match - Sam Cartella (Northwestern) won by major decision over Trenton Wachter (Central Michigan) (Maj 9-1)
149 lbs: Aiden Vandenbush (Open Division)
Champ. Round 1 - Braden Stauffenberg (Michigan State) won by decision over Aiden Vandenbush (Northwestern) (Dec 5-4)
Cons. Round 1 - Tommy Curran (Northern Illinois) won by decision over Aiden Vandenbush (Northwestern) (Dec 5-3)
165 lbs: No. 9 Maxx Mayfield – 4th Place (Open Division)
Champ. Round 1 - Maxx Mayfield (Northwestern) won by tech fall over Hassan Ajami (Unattached) (TF 16-1)
Quarterfinal - Maxx Mayfield (Northwestern) won by decision over Tommy Bennett (Northern Illinois) (Dec 8-5)
Semifinal – No. 10 Caleb Fish (Michigan State) won by decision over Maxx Mayfield (Northwestern) (Dec 2-0)
Cons. Semi - Maxx Mayfield (Northwestern) won by decision over Beau Mantanona (Michigan) (Dec 8-2)
3rd Place Match – No. 30 Cael Carlson (Oklahoma) won by decision over Maxx Mayfield (Northwestern) (Dec 3-1)
197 lbs: No. 20 Evan Bates – 2nd Place (Open Division)
Champ. Round 1 - Evan Bates (Northwestern) received a bye
Quarterfinal - Evan Bates (Northwestern) won by major decision over Lucas Daly (Michigan State) (Maj 8-0)
Semifinal - Evan Bates (Northwestern) won by decision over Brendin Yatooma (Michigan) (Dec 5-2)
1st Place Match – No. 2 Stephen Buchanan (Oklahoma) won by major decision over Evan Bates (Northwestern) (Maj 9-0)
197 lbs: Jack Jessen – 3rd Place (Open Division)
Champ. Round 1 - Jack Jessen (Northwestern) received a bye
Quarterfinal - Jack Jessen (Northwestern) won by major decision over Cameron Wood (Central Michigan) (Maj 13-3)
Semifinal – No. 2 Stephen Buchanan (Oklahoma) won by tech fall over Jack Jessen (Northwestern) (TF 19-2)
Cons. Semi - Jack Jessen (Northwestern) won by fall over Kael Wisler (Michigan State) (Fall 4:10)
3rd Place Match - Jack Jessen (Northwestern) won by major decision over Brendin Yatooma (Michigan) (Maj 10-1)
Players Mentioned
/ Wrestling
/ Wrestling
/ Wrestling
/ Wrestling
/ Wrestling
/ Wrestling
/ Wrestling
/ Wrestling
/ Wrestling
/ Wrestling
/ Wrestling
/ Wrestling
/ Wrestling
Wrestling - Four 'Cats Earn Bonus Points as Northwestern Downs Maryland in Big Ten Opener (1/9/26)
Saturday, January 10
Wrestling - 'Cats Take Down Wisconsin, 27-11, on Senior Night (2/14/25)
Saturday, February 15
Wrestling - Seven 'Cats Claim Victory in 27-12 Win Over Michigan State (2/8/25)
Saturday, February 08
Wrestling - 'Cats Tame Mustangs, Take Down Cal Poly 29-14 (12/19/24)
Friday, December 20
