True freshman Brandon Precin (Orland Park, Ill./Carl Sandburg), coming off an impressive victory in Friday night's dual against Northern Illinois, started things off for the Wildcats at 125 lbs. against EIU's A.J. Cicarelli.
Just as Precin's introduction concluded, he scored an immediate takedown and near-fall to rack up four quick points. The freshman notched three more three-point near-falls to take a 13-0 lead into the first break. Precin scored with a two-point reversal early in the second to take a 15-0 technical fall and improve his record to 12-3.
Eric Metzler (Luxemburg, Wis./Luxemburg-Casco) wrestled for NU at 133 lbs. against the Panthers' Lenny Grodoski with the 'Cats leading 5-0 after one match. The freshman scored four points on two takedowns in the first period and led 4-1 heading into the second stanza. Metzler took a commanding 6-1 lead with a two-point reversal early in the second period, and after a swift takedown to go up 8-1, Metzler pinned Grodoski at 6:31 to put NU up 11-0 after two matches.
Top-ranked Lang took to the mat next at 141 lbs. against Casey Carrino. Lang notched a fall at :59 after scoring two takedowns. The junior improved to 13-0 on the year and increased the Wildcat lead to 17-0.
Vincent Colletti (Naperville, Ill./Montini Catholic) was next at 149 lbs. against the Panthers' Tommy Reamer. The freshman scored an early takedown in the first period, but an escape by Reamer made the score 2-1 heading into the second frame.
The freshman took a 4-1 lead heading to the third period with a two-point reversal. NU extended its lead to 20-0 with the 5-1 decision by Colletti.
Sophomore Brandon Lozdoski (Machesney Park, Ill./Harlem) took on EIU's Kile O'Toole in the 157-pound match. Lozdoski threw his opponent to the ground in the opening minute to take an early 2-0 lead. An EIU escape made the score 2-1 heading into the second frame.
After cruising through the first three matches, the Wildcats headed to the third period for the second straight bout with Lozdoski leading 5-2 and holding a heavy riding time advantage.
The sophomore gave up an escape in the first minute, but widened his lead to 7-3 with a swift two-point takedown. Lozdoski won the 13-5 major decision following another takedown and additional points for over three minutes of riding time.
Junior Greg Hagel (Linwood, N.J./Blair Academy) battled next for Northwestern at 165 lbs. against EIU's Billy Gallo. Hagel notched a takedown, a two-point near-fall and a three-point near-fall in the first period to lead 7-0.
The junior kept the pressure on in the second period, scoring a takedown and a two-point near-fall to go up 11-0. After two more near-falls, Hagel won the 17-0 technical fall.
Nick Hayes (Council Bluffs, Iowa/Lewis Central) took to the mat at 174 lbs. with the 'Cats leading 29-0 against the Panthers' Kenny Robertson. Hayes trailed 3-0 in the second period, but cut his deficit to 3-2 with a late takedown in the final minute.
The senior scored an early escape to tie the match at 3-3 in the third and notched a takedown in the final minute to go up 5-3. Robertson was charged with an unsportsmanlike conduct point to give Hayes the 6-3 lead. The senior had to grind out the final 30 seconds, but held on for the 6-4 victory and the 'Cats led 32-0 with three matches remaining.
At 184 lbs., Mark Graves (Evansville, Ind./Reitz Memorial) wrestled against Greg Perz of EIU. Perz notched the fall at 1:45, but Northwestern maintained a healthy 32-6 lead going into the 197-pound match.
No. 10 Tamillow dueled Jason Sherko at 197 and took an early 8-0 lead with a takedown and two near-falls. Tamillow finally notched the pin at 2:35 to give NU a 38-6 lead.
Carl Howe (Three Rivers, Mich./Three Rivers) wrestled at heavyweight against Joe Trinka. Trinka pinned the sophomore at 4:20, but Northwestern won the intra-state dual by a 38-12 score.
The Wildcats will head to Reno, Nevada for the Reno Tournament of Champions on Dec. 20 before returning to Evanston for the 44th annual Midlands Championships held at Welsh-Ryan Arena on Dec. 29-30.
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