Sunday, January 7
Champaign, Ill.
1 p.m.
Northwestern
17
at
18
Illinois
Clutch Wins Put NU in Striking Distance at #14 Illinois
1/7/2018 2:46:00 PM | Wrestling
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. — Northwestern (6-1, 1-1 Big Ten) resumed its dual competition in thrilling fashion on Sunday afternoon, falling by only one point to #14 Illinois at Huff Hall.
Chicago's Big Ten Team utilized a plethora of clutch wins to take a two-point lead into the final bout, but were unable to seal the victory.
Redshirt first year Sebastian Rivera (125) kicked off the dual with a ranked win over #15 Travis Piotrowski, a 9-3 decision. For Rivera, it improved his season mark to 17-1 and the victory was his third over a ranked opponent this season.
In the next bout, true first-year Colin Valdiviez took it to another level. Only one match removed from being spurned by #20 Dylan Duncan at Midlands, Valdiviez took revenge into his own hands.
Despite a quick 6-1 hole, Valdiviez battled back, turning on the jets in the third period by accumulating two four-point near-fall calls. He topped his first ranked opponent of his career in a dominating, 12-6 fashion.
Redshirt first year Ryan Deakin, the ninth-ranked wrestler in the nation, dominated his foe Eric Barone, to the tune of a 13-0 major decision. Deakin's performance added four team points to NU's effort, pushing the advantage to 10-3.
After a pair of tough bouts against ranked opponents, redshirt junior Johnny Sebastian used his veteran leadership to put the #B1GCats back on top, 14-12. Sebastian dominated David Riojas, winning via a 16-8 major decision.
Redshirt junior Regis Durbin, inputted into the starting lineup for the first time all season, made a tremendous impact. Despite trailing nearly the entire bout, he pulled off a takedown of Andre Lee in the final seconds of the third period to notch a 4-3 decision.
The Wildcats are back in action at home on Friday, Jan. 12, against #19 Wisconsin at historic Patten Gymnasium. Action starts at 7 p.m. CT.
#14 Illinois 18, Northwestern 17
125: #12 Sebastian Rivera (NU) dec. #15 Travis Piotrowski (ILL), 9-3 | NU 3, ILL 0
133: Colin Valdiviez (NU) dec. #20 Dylan Duncan (ILL), 12-6 | NU 6, ILL 0
141: Mike Carr (ILL) dec. Alec McKenna (NU), 5-2 | NU 6, ILL 3
149: #9 Ryan Deakin (NU) maj. dec. Eric Barone (ILL), 13-0 | NU 10, ILL 3
157: #13 Kyle Langenderfer (ILL) dec. Shayne Oster (NU), 6-4 | NU 10, ILL 6
165: #2 Isaiah Martinez (ILL) fall Michael Sepke (NU), 2:33 | ILL 12, NU 10
174: Johnny Sebastian (NU) maj. dec. David Riojas (ILL), 16-8 | NU 14, ILL 12
184: #12 Emery Parker (ILL) dec. Mitch Sliga (NU), 8-3 | ILL 15, NU 14
197: Regis Durbin (NU) dec. Andre Lee (ILL), 4-3 | NU 17, ILL 15
285: Deuce Rachal (ILL) dec. #19 Conan Jennings (NU), 3-2 | ILL 18, ILL 17
Chicago's Big Ten Team utilized a plethora of clutch wins to take a two-point lead into the final bout, but were unable to seal the victory.
Redshirt first year Sebastian Rivera (125) kicked off the dual with a ranked win over #15 Travis Piotrowski, a 9-3 decision. For Rivera, it improved his season mark to 17-1 and the victory was his third over a ranked opponent this season.
In the next bout, true first-year Colin Valdiviez took it to another level. Only one match removed from being spurned by #20 Dylan Duncan at Midlands, Valdiviez took revenge into his own hands.
Despite a quick 6-1 hole, Valdiviez battled back, turning on the jets in the third period by accumulating two four-point near-fall calls. He topped his first ranked opponent of his career in a dominating, 12-6 fashion.
Redshirt first year Ryan Deakin, the ninth-ranked wrestler in the nation, dominated his foe Eric Barone, to the tune of a 13-0 major decision. Deakin's performance added four team points to NU's effort, pushing the advantage to 10-3.
After a pair of tough bouts against ranked opponents, redshirt junior Johnny Sebastian used his veteran leadership to put the #B1GCats back on top, 14-12. Sebastian dominated David Riojas, winning via a 16-8 major decision.
Redshirt junior Regis Durbin, inputted into the starting lineup for the first time all season, made a tremendous impact. Despite trailing nearly the entire bout, he pulled off a takedown of Andre Lee in the final seconds of the third period to notch a 4-3 decision.
The Wildcats are back in action at home on Friday, Jan. 12, against #19 Wisconsin at historic Patten Gymnasium. Action starts at 7 p.m. CT.
#14 Illinois 18, Northwestern 17
125: #12 Sebastian Rivera (NU) dec. #15 Travis Piotrowski (ILL), 9-3 | NU 3, ILL 0
133: Colin Valdiviez (NU) dec. #20 Dylan Duncan (ILL), 12-6 | NU 6, ILL 0
141: Mike Carr (ILL) dec. Alec McKenna (NU), 5-2 | NU 6, ILL 3
149: #9 Ryan Deakin (NU) maj. dec. Eric Barone (ILL), 13-0 | NU 10, ILL 3
157: #13 Kyle Langenderfer (ILL) dec. Shayne Oster (NU), 6-4 | NU 10, ILL 6
165: #2 Isaiah Martinez (ILL) fall Michael Sepke (NU), 2:33 | ILL 12, NU 10
174: Johnny Sebastian (NU) maj. dec. David Riojas (ILL), 16-8 | NU 14, ILL 12
184: #12 Emery Parker (ILL) dec. Mitch Sliga (NU), 8-3 | ILL 15, NU 14
197: Regis Durbin (NU) dec. Andre Lee (ILL), 4-3 | NU 17, ILL 15
285: Deuce Rachal (ILL) dec. #19 Conan Jennings (NU), 3-2 | ILL 18, ILL 17
••••••
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