Ohio Wrestling Drops Match to NIU

Friday, January 23

DeKalb, Ill.

7 p.m.

Northern Illinois

Ohio Wrestling Drops Match to NIU

1/23/2026 9:33:00 PM | Wrestling

DEKALB, Ill. – The Ohio Wrestling team (6-6, 1-2 MAC) dropped a hard fought MAC dual to Northern Illinois (7-5, 3-0 MAC) 20-17 on Friday night (Jan. 23).

Redshirt seniors Sal Perrine (Northfield, Ohio) and Zayne Lehman (Akron, Ohio) were s standout performers for the Bobcats at 184 lbs and 197 lbs, respectively. Lehman recorded a dominant 22-5 technical fall win over NIU's Dominic Heiim, scoring four takedowns and a nearfall in the first period to clinch the win. Perrine recorded six takedowns to take an 18-5 lead after the first period, before a seventh takedown in the second period secured a 22-5 technical fall win, including a bonus point for riding time.

Redshirt Junior Derek Raike (Point Pleasant, W. Va.) set the tone for the Bobcats in the match's first bout with a 20-8 major decision victory over NIU's Landen Johnson. Raike recorded two takedown and an escape in an action-packed first period, before taking control of the match in the second period with a reversal, takedown and nearfall to extend his lead to 16-6. Raike recorded another takedown in the third period to win by 20-8 major decision, earning a bonus point for riding time.

At 149 lbs, Paul Woo (Wheaton, Ill.) recorded a 4-1 sudden victory win, fighting a close fought 1-1 battle into extra time, before recording a takedown in the first sudden victory period to clinch a victory for the Bobcats in the final match of the night.

Up next, the Bobcats hit the road again and travel to Mount Pleasant, Michigan to battle the Central Michigan Chippewas on Friday, Jan 30. The match will begin at 7 p.m. and will be streaming on ESPN+.

Full match results (Rankings via Intermat/WrestleStat):

125: No. 30/22 Blake West (NIU) over Brayden Teunissen (Ohio), Dec 4-0
133: No. 29/16 Markel Baker over Ryan Meek (Ohio), Dec 10-3
141: Deuce Curtis (NIU) over Kolton Barker (Ohio), Dec 4-2
149: Paul Woo (Ohio) over Collin Arch (NIU), SV-1, Dec 4-1
157: No. 27/20 Derek Raike (Ohio) over Landen Johnson (NIU), MD 20-8
165: Brett Smith (NIU) over Jack Lledo (Ohio), Dec 2-0
174: Tommy Bennett (NIU) over No. 13/10 Garrett Thompson (Ohio), Dec 6-5
184: No. 17/20 Sal Perrine over Caleb Roe (NIU), TF 22-5, 4:02
197: No. 23/28 Zayne Lehman (Ohio) over Dominic Heim (NIU), TF 20-4, 2:55
285: No. 20/24 Devon Dawson (NIU) vs Wyatt Schmitt (Ohio), TF 23-6, 5:45

#OUohyeah