Sunday, January 12
Champaign, Ill.
1 p.m. CT
Northwestern
7
at
33
Illinois
Photo by: Illinois Athletics
Cartella Collects Upset Victory in 'Cats' Loss to Illini
1/12/2025 4:55:00 PM | Wrestling
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Sam Cartella pulled off an upset of InterMat's No. 11 wrestler at 149 lbs, but it wasn't enough for the 'Cats, who fell to No. 11 Illinois on the road on Sunday afternoon. The Fighting Illini (7-1, 2-1 Big Ten) defeated Northwestern (2-3, 0-2 Big Ten) by a final score of 33-7 at Huff Hall.
Cartella's victory was his second of the weekend, and he captured it in comeback fashion. After Illinois' No. 11 Kannon Webster used an early takedown to take the first lead, Cartella chipped into the deficit with an escape to bring the score to 3-1. There the bout stayed until the third period, when Cartella racked up four near-fall points to take a lead that he would never relinquish. The 6-4 victory by decision was good for Cartella's fourth win of dual season.
Also in the win column for the 'Cats was Dedrick Navarro, who secured an 11-1 major decision over Caelen Riley at 125 lbs. Navarro scored his first points just 30 seconds into his bout and never looked back, using two takedowns, an escape, three near-fall points and over two minutes of riding time to earn a bonus-point victory for Northwestern.
The 'Cats will continue their Big Ten schedule next Friday at home, hosting the Michigan Wolverines inside Welsh-Ryan Arena. First whistle between Northwestern and Michigan is set for 7 p.m. CT.
No. 11 Illinois 33, Northwestern 7
125: Dedrick Navarro (NU) over Caelen Riley (ILL) (MD 11-1)
133: No. 2 Lucas Byrd (ILL) over Massey Odiotti (NU) (MD 22-8)
141: No. 13 Danny Pucino (ILL) over No. 10 Chris Cannon (NU) (Inj. 3:24)
149: Sam Cartella (NU) over No. 11 Kannon Webster (ILL) (Dec 6-4)
157: No. 27 Jason Kraisser (ILL) over Jacob Bostelman (NU) (Dec 6-3)
165: No. 10 Braeden Scoles (ILL) over No. 19 Maxx Mayfield (NU) (Dec 2-1)
174: No. 21 Dan Braunagel (ILL) over Aiden Vandenbush (NU) (MD 18-5)
184: No. 10 Edmond Ruth (ILL) over Matthew Kubas (NU) (TF 20-2 6:08)
197: No. 11 Zac Braunagel (ILL) over No. 13 Evan Bates (NU) (Dec 8-4)
285: No. 11 Luke Luffman (ILL) over Dirk Morley (NU) (TF 22-6 5:30)
* All individual rankings courtesy of InterMat (January 7)
Cartella's victory was his second of the weekend, and he captured it in comeback fashion. After Illinois' No. 11 Kannon Webster used an early takedown to take the first lead, Cartella chipped into the deficit with an escape to bring the score to 3-1. There the bout stayed until the third period, when Cartella racked up four near-fall points to take a lead that he would never relinquish. The 6-4 victory by decision was good for Cartella's fourth win of dual season.
Don't sleep on Sam ????#GoCats | @B1GWrestling pic.twitter.com/NounJJ8O63
— Northwestern Wrestling (@NUWrestle) January 12, 2025
Also in the win column for the 'Cats was Dedrick Navarro, who secured an 11-1 major decision over Caelen Riley at 125 lbs. Navarro scored his first points just 30 seconds into his bout and never looked back, using two takedowns, an escape, three near-fall points and over two minutes of riding time to earn a bonus-point victory for Northwestern.
Showed up ready ??#GoCats | @B1GWrestling pic.twitter.com/w5OYUSBcqs
— Northwestern Wrestling (@NUWrestle) January 12, 2025
The 'Cats will continue their Big Ten schedule next Friday at home, hosting the Michigan Wolverines inside Welsh-Ryan Arena. First whistle between Northwestern and Michigan is set for 7 p.m. CT.
No. 11 Illinois 33, Northwestern 7
125: Dedrick Navarro (NU) over Caelen Riley (ILL) (MD 11-1)
133: No. 2 Lucas Byrd (ILL) over Massey Odiotti (NU) (MD 22-8)
141: No. 13 Danny Pucino (ILL) over No. 10 Chris Cannon (NU) (Inj. 3:24)
149: Sam Cartella (NU) over No. 11 Kannon Webster (ILL) (Dec 6-4)
157: No. 27 Jason Kraisser (ILL) over Jacob Bostelman (NU) (Dec 6-3)
165: No. 10 Braeden Scoles (ILL) over No. 19 Maxx Mayfield (NU) (Dec 2-1)
174: No. 21 Dan Braunagel (ILL) over Aiden Vandenbush (NU) (MD 18-5)
184: No. 10 Edmond Ruth (ILL) over Matthew Kubas (NU) (TF 20-2 6:08)
197: No. 11 Zac Braunagel (ILL) over No. 13 Evan Bates (NU) (Dec 8-4)
285: No. 11 Luke Luffman (ILL) over Dirk Morley (NU) (TF 22-6 5:30)
* All individual rankings courtesy of InterMat (January 7)
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