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ATHENS, Ohio - The Ohio wrestling team (5-3, MAC 3-1) were back in action at home on Saturday afternoon (Jan. 25) for a dual against Northern Illinois (NIU) (2-4, MAC 2-2) at the Convocation Center, where the Bobcats fell to the Huskies, 21-20.
Starting the dual at the 149-pound class, redshirt sophomore Derek Raike (Point Pleasant, W.Va.) was the first to tip the scales in favor of the Bobcats with a hard-fought matchup against Tommy Curran, earning a 14-6 major decision. The momentum continued in the 165-pound class, where redshirt sophomore Jack Lledo (Penn Valley, Pa.) battled Brett Smith in a closely contested match, ultimately securing a 7-6 decision.
No. 10 NCAA-ranked redshirt junior Garrett Thompson (Murrysville, Pa.) once again showcased his dominance in the 174-pound class, earning a 15-4 major decision over Tommy Bennett and extending the Bobcats' lead to 11-5 against the Huskies. Redshirt freshman Jeremy Olszko (Northfield, Ohio) delivered a stellar performance in the 184-pound class, defeating Dominic Heim with an 18-1 technical fall at 5:38, further widening Ohio's advantage to 16-5 over NIU.
No. 21 NCAA-ranked redshirt senior Jordan Greer (Avon, Ohio) faced a tough challenge against Jacob Christensen in the heavyweight class but secured a commanding 15-3 major decision. Heading into the final matchup of the dual, NIU narrowed the gap to 20-17. The dual concluded at the 141-pound class, where redshirt freshman Kaden Jett (Broadview Heights, Ohio) fell to Jacob Brya in a 12-0 major decision, tipping the scales in NIU's favor and clinched their 21-20 victory over Ohio.
Ohio returns to the Convocation Center on Sunday, Feb. 2, for a dual against Central Michigan where the event will feature a special Military Appreciation celebration. The dual is set to begin at 1 p.m. and will be streamed live on ESPN+.
125: Blake West (NIU) def.
Ryan Meek (Ohio), 15-4, Maj.
133: Markel Barker (NIU) def.
TJ England (Ohio), 20-4, TF (5:43)
141:Jacob Brya (NIU) def.
Kaden Jett (Ohio), 12-0, Maj.
149: Derek Raike (Ohio) def. Tommy Curran (NIU), 14-6, Maj.
157: Landon Johnson (NIU) def.
Logan Cravatas (Ohio), 16-0, TF (7:00)
165: Jack Lledo (Ohio) def. Brett Smith (Ohio), 7-6, Dec.
174: #10 Garrett Thompson (Ohio) def. Tommy Bennett (NIU), 15-4 Maj.
184: Jeremy Olszko (Ohio) def. Dominic Heim (NIU) 18-1, TF (5:38)
197: Sean Carroll (Ohio) def. Max Ray (Ohio), 4-2, Dec.
285: #21 Jordan Greer (Ohio) def. Jacob Christensen (NIU) 15-3, Maj.
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