Wrestling Opens Up Dual Season at SIUE

Saturday, November 15

Edwardsville, Ill.

5 p.m. CT

Northwestern

SIUE

Photo by: Jeff Chumbley/Northwestern Athletics

Wrestling Opens Up Dual Season at SIUE

11/14/2025 1:30:00 PM | Wrestling

EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. - After kicking off its season at the Michigan State Open last weekend, Northwestern Wrestling is headed to SIUE on Saturday to take on the Cougars in the first dual match of its season. The meeting between the in-state rivals is scheduled to begin at 5 p.m. CT on ESPN+.

LAST TIME OUT
The Wildcats are coming off a strong performance at the Michigan State Open, where four wrestlers reached the podium in the freshman/sophomore division and another four placed in the open division.

Within the freshman/sophomore brackets, the 'Cats saw some stand-out performances from the upper weights. Alex Smith (197 lbs) and Eddie Enright (174 lbs) took first place in their weight classes, Smith with a strong 7-2 decision in the final, and Enright with an 11-0 major decision. Alongside them in the freshman/sophomore division, Giosue Hickman (141 lbs) and Gunnar Myers (157 lbs) battled back in the back side of the bracket to take third place each.

In the open division, No. 27 Sam Cartella's only loss at 149 lbs came in sudden victory. He placed third after racking up three bonus-point victories, including a pin in the opening round. Jacob Bostelman (165 lbs) picked up a statement win on his way to a fifth-place finish, defeating then-No. 33 Chandler Amaker by 7-3 decision.

SCOUTING SIUE
The Cougars head into the dual coming off strong performances themselves at the Clarion Open, where they placed third overall as a team, and the Cyclone Invitational, where ten of their wrestlers finished in the top five. Caleb Tyus enters the weekend ranked No. 21 in the country at 149 lbs, SIUE's only wrestler in the InterMat rankings. He'll face off with either August Hibler or Sam Cartella, who Tyus defeated by 4-1 decision in December of 2023. At 133 pounds, No. 14 Sean Spidle will look to defeat Marcel Lopez for the third time in his career after picking up a pair of victories by decision over him last season.

Northwestern has controlled the all-time series against SIUE, winning 13 of 15 duals dating back to 1970. The two teams met most recently in December of 2021, when the 'Cats defeated the Cougars 39-3 as part of a tri-dual at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Northwestern last visited Edwardsville in February 2020. The 'Cats came away with a dominant victory in that match as well, winning eight of ten bouts in a 38-9 victory.

PROBABLES
Northwestern:
125 - Dedrick Navarro
133 - #14 Sean Spidle
141 - Billy Dekraker OR Giosue Hickman
149 - #27 Sam Cartella OR August Hibler
157 - Gunnar Myers
165 - Jacob Bostelman
174 - Eddie Enright
184 - J.D. Perez OR Marcell Booth
197 - Gabe Christenson OR Alex Smith
285 - Dirk Morley

SIUE:
125 - Drew Davis
133 - Marcel Lopez
141 - Danny Martinez OR Alec Peralta
149 - #21 Caleb Tyus
157 - Hayden Whidden
165 - Brock Woodcock OR Tavius Hosley
174 - Dominic Lopez
184 - Deron Pulliam OR Nico Ronchetti
197 - Nick Nosler
285 - Bryson Buhk OR Kevin Zimmer

* All individual rankings courtesy of InterMat (November 11)

UP NEXT
Next Sunday, the 'Cats will continue their non-conference road stretch in New Jersey, where they're set to face off against Princeton in a dual match at 11 a.m. CT.