Junior Mike Tamillow (Oak Park, Ill./Fenwick), ranked 10th at 197 lbs., defeated NIU's Nick McClone 10-3 to start the night. He notched a takedown for two points in the first round and took three more points in the final minute for a 4-1 lead after one frame. Tamillow scored a two-point reversal in the second period to lead 6-1 heading into the third. The junior scored three points in the third and with an extra point for riding time took the 10-3 decision.
Third-ranked heavyweight Dustin Fox (Galion, Ohio/Galion) topped the Huskies' Jeff Burdoff by a 3-2 decision in the second match of the dual. With the bout tied at 1-1 in the third period, the Fox scored a two-point takedown by plunging his opponent into the ground and out of bounds. Fox took a 3-2 decision and NU took a 6-0 lead heading into the thrilling match of the night at 125 lbs.
Trailing 5-1 to NIU's Pat Castillo in the second period, Precin scored a takedown to make the score 5-3 heading into the third stanza. The freshman closed to 5-4 with an escape early in the third and netted a dramatic takedown to rousing applause in the final minute to surge ahead for a 6-5 decision. The standing room only crowd rose to its feet for the final 10 seconds to salute the freshman's win over a tough opponent in Castillo. Precin pushed NU's lead to 9-0.
Sophomore James Kohlberg (Rolling Meadows, Ill./Rolling Meadows) took Northwestern's fourth-straight match of the evening with an 8-2 decision over the Huskies' Chad Vendiver. Kohlberg trailed 2-1 heading into the third period, but the sophomore absolutely dominated the final frame with a barrage of near falls. Kohlberg extended the Wildcat lead to 12-0.
Top-ranked Ryan Lang (North Royalton, Ohio/St. Edward) took to the mat next at 141 lbs. and controlled his match from start to finish over NIU's Dan Reuttiger, taking a 14-0 major decision. Lang notched a late near fall in the first period to take a 5-0 lead heading into the second. The top-ranked junior scored several points in the second period, including a three-point near fall to take a commanding 11-0 lead after two stanzas. Lang took three more points in the third for a 14-0 major decision, widening Northwestern's lead to 16-0.
The Huskies scored their first points of the dual when Mike Grimes scored a major decision over freshman Vincent Colletti (Naperville, Ill./Montini Catholic). The Wildcats led 16-4 heading into the 157-pound match.
At 157 lbs., freshman Dominic Marella (Roselle, Ill./Conant) defeated NIU's Kalen Knull 8-5. Marella, after scoring six early points in the first period, scored a near fall as time expired to take an 8-2 lead heading into the second frame. Marella held on for the 8-5 decision, pushing Northwestern's lead to 19-4.
After a forfeit by Northern Illinois at 165 lbs. increased the 'Cats' lead to 25-4, Hayes took to the mat for the Wildcats at 174 lbs. He tied the score a 4-4 with a two-point takedown in the second period after trailing 4-2. The senior scored an escape in the third period to tie the score at 6-6 and sent the match into overtime. Hayes scored a takedown in the extra period to take the 8-6 decision.
Sophomore Mark Graves (Evansville, Ind./Reitz Memorial) wrestled in the final match at 184 lbs. with the 'Cats leading 28-4. NIU's Duke Burk pinned Graves to make the final score 28-10.
"The guys really put out a great effort and had some great matches," head coach Tim Cysewski said. "Finals week at Northwestern is a tough time and I think the guys let out some of that frustration tonight."
The Wildcats face a quick turnaround and will host another in-state foe in Eastern Illinois Saturday at 2 p.m. The dual will be held at Patten Gym. For directions to Patten click the link at the top of the page.
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