University of Northern Iowa
Northern Illinois
UNI, Northern Illinois Wrestle to 16-16 Tie
2/5/2006 7:00:00 AM | Wrestling
DEKALB, Ill. - The No. 25-ranked University of Northern Iowa wrestling team had to settle for a 16-16 tie on Sunday against the No. 24-ranked Northern Illinois University Huskies.
UNI (5-7-2) held a 10-3 lead after four matches, but saw the lead disappear as Northern Illinois won four of the final six matches.
The Panthers gained an early bonus point from an 11-1 major decision from senior Chris Bitetto at 157 pounds. Junior Nick Baima increased the Panther lead to 7-3 with a 2-0 win at 165 pounds. Redshirt freshman Moza Fay, wrestling up two weights for an injured Curt Zinnel, notched an 8-3 win at 174 pounds.
But Northern Illinois rallied and took advantage of a bonus point of its own at 125 pounds from No. 11-ranked Pat Castillo. Castillo scored a 16-7 major decision over UNI's Seth Wright.
UNI senior Chris Helgeson gave the Panthers a 16-13 lead with one dual remaining, but NIU's No. 11-ranked Josh Wooton scored a 5-3 decision over UNI's No. 20-ranked C.J. Ettelson to knot the dual at 16-16.
The Panthers will be in action again next Monday (Feb. 13) in the West Gym against Missouri at 5 p.m.
#25 UNI 16, #24 NORTHERN ILLINOIS 16
149: #12 Mike Grimes (NIU), dec. Chris Bitetto (UNI), maj. dec. Kalen Knull (NIU), 11-1
165: #7 Nick Baima (UNI), dec. Johnny Galloway (NIU), 2-0
174: Moza Fay (UNI), dec. Alex Nelson (NIU), 8-3
184: Danny Burk (NIU), dec. Seth Wright (UNI), 16-7
133: Chris Helgeson (UNI), dec. Andy Hiatt (NIU), 5-3
141: #11 Josh Wooton (NIU), dec. #20 C.J. Ettelson (UNI), 5-3
Players Mentioned
