Huskers Rout Wisconsin, 35-7
Huskers.com
Behind five bonus-point bouts including two pins, the Nebraska wrestling team improved to 4-1 in Big Ten competition, taking down Wisconsin 35-7 on Friday night. The Big Red (9-2) notched the ninth win of the season, and eight Huskers won their bouts.
Kicking off the dual at 125 for Nebraska was freshman
Kael Lauridsen. Taking on No. 17 Nicolar Rivera, Lauridsen recorded two escapes, but it was not enough to overcome the eight-point deficit, putting three on the board for Wisconsin.
Up next was a ranked matchup at 133, with No. 14
Jacob Van Dee facing No. 22 Zan Fugitt. Van Dee managed an escape in the first period, but was held to one point, giving Fugitt the major dec. after three takedowns (11-1).
Looking to get on the board for the Huskers was No. 6
Brock Hardy, who wrestled Brock Bobzien at 141. Hardy notched two takedowns in the first period to take the early lead. At 2:20, Hardy pinned Bobzien to claim six points for NU. It was the junior’s 19th career pin, and fourth of the season.
After cutting the Wisconsin lead to one, at 149, Nebraska sent No. 3
Ridge Lovett to take on Royce Nilo. Lovett started hot, racking up four takedowns in the first period. He continued to dominate with two nearfalls in the second, which was enough for the tech. fall (19-3). The win from Lovett took the dual lead for the Huskers at 11-7.
Next on the mat was No. 4
Antrell Taylor and Luke Mechler at 157. Taylor took a 4-1 lead entering the third period with a takedown and an escape. Taylor was able to secure two more takedowns for the 10-4 decision, extending the lead to seven.
Big Ten Freshman of the Week and No. 8
Christopher Minto was next up at 165 for the Huskers, facing Cale Anderson. Entering the second with a 3-0 lead, Minto added a takedown and two-point nearfall. With a reversal in the third, Minto improved to 16-1 on the season, and cemented the third major decision of his career, 11-2.
At 174, No. 14
Lenny Pinto met Luke Condon on the mat. Pinto trailed after the first period (1-3), but came back with a quick takedown and nearfall points to take the lead. An escape in the third period gave Pinto the 9-4 decision, winning the fifth consecutive match for Nebraska.
Taking the mat at 184 was No. 8
Silas Allred and Dylan Russo. A nine-point first period for Allred carried him to the fifth Big Red bonus-point win of the dual, using ride time and another takedown for a 14-3 major decision. Allred extended the Husker lead to 25-7.
With two matches left, No. 20
Camden McDanel took on Niccolo Colucci (197). Up 6-1 in the first period, McDanel claimed his first career pin at 1:33. The win was also the true freshman’s 13th bonus point win of the season.
Closing out the dual were heavyweights
Harley Andrews and Gannon Rosenfeld. A quick first-period takedown for Andrews was met by a reversal for Rosenfeld. Andrews responded with six consecutive points, as well as riding time, and finished with the 10-2 decision in favor of the Huskers.
Nebraska claimed the dual, 35-7, to improve to 9-2 on the year. The win pushes NU’s all-time record against the Badgers to 14-12-2. Lovett’s win at 149 was his 90th career victory, and his 40th in duals.
Up Next
The Big Red will head to No. 2 Cockeye on Friday, Feb. 7. The dual is set for 7 p.m. (CT) and will be televised on BTN.
#6 Nebraska 35, Wisconsin 7
125: No. 17 Nicolar Rivera (WIS) dec.
Kael Lauridsen 8-2 (NEB 0, WIS 3)
133: No. 22 Zan Fugitt (WIS) major dec. No. 14
Jacob Van Dee 11-1 (NEB 0, WIS 7)
141: No. 6 Brock Hardy pinned Brock Bobzien (WIS) (2:20) (NEB 6, WIS 7)
149: No. 3 Ridge Lovett tech. fall Royce Nilo (WIS) 18-3 (4:37) (NEB 11, WIS 7)
157: No. 4 Antrell Taylor dec. Luke Mechler (WIS) 10-4 (NEB 14, WIS 7)
165: No. 8 Christopher Minto major dec. Cale Anderson (WIS) 11-2 (NEB 18, WIS 7)
174: No. 14 Lenny Pinto dec. Luke Condon (WIS) 9-4 (NEB 21, WIS 7)
184: No. 8 Silas Allred major dec. Dylan Russo (WIS) 14-3 (NEB 25, WIS 7)
197: No. 20 Camden McDanel pinned Niccolo Colucci (WIS) (1:33) (NEB 31, WIS 7)
HWT: No. 22 Harley Andrews (NEB) major dec. Gannon Rosenfeld (WIS) 10-2 (NEB 35, WIS 7)
