UNI Wrestling Falls to No. 16 Wisconsin, 23-12

Sunday, December 11

Madison, WI

noon

University of Northern Iowa

University of Wisconsin

UNI Wrestling Falls to No. 16 Wisconsin, 23-12

12/11/2016 2:59:00 PM | Wrestling

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SCORE SHEET - PDF

MADISON, Wis. – No. 21 UNI wrestling grabbed an early lead but fell to No. 16 Wisconsin, 23-12 at today's noon dual.

UNI falls to 3-2 in duals, 1-0 in the MAC, and UW improved to 2-0 after its home dual opener.

"There is a lot of learning," said head coach Doug Schwab. "There is a lot of learning and growth to happen this season. … There were some good things, but you have to be able to put these guys down."

No. 3 Dylan Peters gave the Panthers its only lead with a decision at 125 pounds over Jens Lantz, but UNI lost the next two before getting a win at 149 pounds.

No. 11 Max Thomsen improved to 12-1 overall with a decision over Andrew Crone, who took seventh at the Cliff Keen Invite last weekend.

UNI's only other wins would come from No. 14 Taylor Lujan at 174 pounds and No. 16 Drew Foster at 184 pounds.

Lujan turned on the offense with two first-period takedowns, grabbing a minute of riding time heading into the second. He got an escape and a takedown, nearly pinning Ryan Christensen. Lujan went on to win 10-3 with 2 minutes, 37 seconds in riding time.

"He had a chance to get bonus points," Schwab said of Lujan. "You know, he came over right away and said 'Sorry, Coach. I didn't get bonus points.' But I think he controlled everything. I think he is one of the best guys in the country. I really do. He gave himself a couple of opportunities, so he really controlled the match."

Drew Foster had a come-from-behind win and edged out UW's Hunter Ritter, 8-7. Heading into the third period, he trailed 5-4. He grabbed two escapes and notched a final takedown for the win.

"Foster made a great adjustment," said Schwab. "That guy beat him on a couple of single legs and got to a great double leg and really kept wrestling through the match. That was a good job from him being able to hold up. It's been a little bit of an issue for him in just holding up mentally, not letting your energy be mismanaged. He's doing a great job of that. He was strong through the whole match. You love to see a guy finish like that."

FINAL RESULTS
#16 Wisconsin 23, #21 UNI 12
125 - #4 Dylan Peters (UNI) dec. Jens Lantz (UW), 8-5 (3:05 RT)
133 - Eli Stickley (UW) dec. #19 Josh Alber (UNI), 8-6 SV1
141 - #18 Cole Martin (UW) maj. dec. Jake Hodges (UNI), 9-1
149 - #11 Max Thomsen (UNI) dec. Andrew Crone (UW), 10-9 (2:38 RT)
157 - TJ Ruschell (UW) dec. Paden Moore (UNI), 4-0
165 - #3 Isaac Jordan (UW) dec. #15 Bryce Steiert (UNI), 7-5
174 - #14 Taylor Lujan (UNI) dec. Ryan Christensen (UW), 10-3 (2:37 RT)
184 - #16 Drew Foster (UNI) dec. Hunter Ritter (UW), 8-7
197 – Ricky Robertson (UW) tech fall. Jared Bartel (UNI), 16-0 (6:06)
285 - #2 Connor Medbery (UW) tech. fall #20 JJ Everard (UNI), 15-0 (7.00)

UP NEXT
The Panthers will be on the road until Jan. 8. They are set to compete in the Southern Scuffle in Chattanooga, Tennessee, Jan. 1-2, 2017.

"The Scuffle is our best in-season tournament," said Schwab. "It's going to be a great opportunity for our guys to put themselves on the national stand. I have seen a lot of things I like. The margins aren't far, but we have to keep doing everything in our favor to make the margin a little more in our favor."