The three points were the fewest given up by Eastern in a Mid-American Conference dual since a 30-3 win over Buffalo Dec 6, 2015. In all, it was EMU's fifth win over the Huskies (2-5, 0-3 MAC) since the series began back in the 1971-72 season.
Eastern only ended up with one bonus point win on the day, a pin by redshirt sophomore Sa'Derian Perry (Lakeland, Fla.-Lake Gibson), his first of the season in a dual. Redshirt freshman Tomas Gutierrez (Arvada, Colo.-Pomona) had the other big highlight, as he knocked off nationally ranked Brock Hudkins of NIU, who came into the match 19th in the country and first in the MAC.
The dual started at the top with the 125 lbs. match. Gutrierrez went down 2-0 after one and then 3-0 after an escape, but he worked a huge takedown in the second to make it 3-2. In the third, he got another clutch takedown to take a 4-3 lead. After racking up over a minute of riding time, he held on for the 5-3 decision win to start things off.
At 133 lbs., redshirt sophomore Noah Gonser (Grand Blanc, Mich.-Grand Blanc) started with a 3-2 lead after two periods on a takedown and escape after a reversal. In the third, Gonser escaped again and avoided any shots to take the 4-2 decision and make it 6-0 Eagles early on.
Perry kept it rolling at 141 lbs. with his second pin of the season and first in dual action, to push the score to 12-0 going into 149 lbs. There, redshirt senior No. 33 Kyle Springer (New Boston, Mich.-Davenport Assumption (Indiana)) found himself needing a big comeback to get a win. Going down 7-2 early, Springer battled his way back to get it to 8-8 in the third, and then with riding time, he took a 9-8 decision to keep the shutout intact, 15-0.
EMU had another close bout at 157 lbs. as redshirt sophomore J.J. Wolfe (Dakota, Ill.-Dakota) trailed 4-3 late in the third. He was able to notch an escape, and then a takedown right before the buzzer to secure a 7-5 decision, and extend the advantage further, 18-0, midway through the dual.
In the 165 lbs. match, redshirt sophomore Zac Carson (Akron, Ohio-Lake) got a reversal and takedown in the second to lead it 4-2 going into the third. Another takedown in the third sealed the 7-3 decision after riding time, giving the Eagles a commanding 21-0 lead with four weight classes to go. Carson improved his overall record to 14-10 on the season, and 7-4 in duals.
Redshirt freshman Andrew McNally (Uniontown, Ohio-Lake) came out of the gate hot at 174 lbs. with a takedown and near fall to lead 6-0 after one period. The score went to 6-3 into the third, where it eventually got to be tied, 8-8, but McNally had already locked in riding time. After getting cut loose, McNally got a takedown at the end to secure a 12-8 decision, and push the lead to 24-0.
The Eagles continued to dominate at 184 lbs, as redshirt junior Kayne MacCallum (Green Oaks, Ill.-Libertyville) got two takedown in both the first and second to lead it 9-2 into the third. With riding time intact, MacCallum cruised to the 10-3 decision win. The shutout was broken at 197 lbs. as the Huskies got a 2-0 decision win to bring the team score to 27-3 going into heavyweight.
At heavyweight, No. 21 nationally ranked redshirt senior Gage Hutchison (Buchanan, Mich.-Buchanan) wrestled another tight bout, but the strength of a pair of takedowns was enough to seal the 30-3 dual win with a 5-3 decision. Hutchison moved his team-best record to 14-4 on the season and 8-1 in duals.
The Eagles remain at home but will have the next week off, getting back into action Friday, Feb. 2, when they take on the University at Buffalo. Action against the Bulls is set to begin at 7 p.m. and will be a "Beauty and the Beast" meet with the gymnastics team.
Results:
125: Tomas Gutierrez (EMU) over No. 19 Brock Hudkins (NIU) (Dec 5-3)
133: Noah Gonser (EMU) over Alijah Jeffery (NIU) (Dec 4-2)
141: Sa'Derian Perry (EMU) over Anthony Rubino (NIU) (Pin 2:22)
149: No. 33 Kyle Springer (EMU) over Nolan Baker (NIU) (Dec 9-8)
157: J.J. Wolfe (EMU) over Caden McWhirter (NIU) (Dec 7-5)
165: Zac Carson (EMU) over Andrew Scott (NIU) (Dec 7-3)
174: Andrew McNally (EMU) over Quinton Rosser (NIU) (Dec 12-8)
184: Kayne MacCallum (EMU) over Bryce Gorman (NIU) (Dec 10-3)
197: Max Ihry (NIU) over Jared Langley (EMU) (Dec 2-0)
HWT: No. 21 Gage Hutchison (EMU) over Caleb Gossett (NIU) (Dec 5-3)
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