UW @ NORTHWESTERN

[TomM]

Wisconsin rally falls short at Northwestern, 18-17
Badgers win five bouts against Wildcats, but injury deals tough blow
On the Web: https://uwbadgers.com/news/2023/1/27/wrestling-wisconsin-rally-falls-short-at-northwestern-18-17.aspx

EVANSTON, ILL. — No. 15 Wisconsin faced off against No. 9 Northwestern on Friday for a Big Ten dual match at Welsh-Ryan Arena in Evanston, Illinois and saw a valiant rally by the Badgers fall short after injury dealt the team a tough challenge. The Badgers and the Wildcats split bouts 5-5 throughout the night, but Wisconsin's late rally fell short in the final match as Northwestern won 18-17.

At 125 pounds, No. 8 Eric Barnett started the night off with a gritty 4-3 decision win over No. 6 Michael DeAugustino. Returning to winning form with a nice upset, Barnett scored an early takedown to claim the lead and scored an escape before riding out DeAugustino for the victory and early 3-0 team lead for the Badgers.

Wisconsin dropped their next three bouts however, including a costly injury default due to a lower-body injury in the highly-anticipated 149-pound bout between No. 2 Austin Gomez and No. 4 Yahya Thomas. Wisconsin now trailed Northwestern 12-3 entering the 157-pound bout.

Two of the Badgers' team captains, Garrett Model and Dean Hamiti started Wisconsin's rally with two major decisions in a row by to fight back from the deficit. Model earned an assertive 13-4 bonus-point win over Aiden Vandenbush at 157 pounds, scoring five takedowns in the victory. Hamiti controlled the mat with a 14-2 major decision over No. 18 Max Mayfield after he scored four takedowns against the Wildcat, capping the win with four nearfall points after turning Mayfield in the closing seconds.

Wisconsin and Northwestern split the final four bouts and swapped lead changes, but it wasn't enough to overcome the early deficit. Down 4-2 with time ticking off the clock in the third period, Tyler Dow fought back at 184 pounds to score a last-second takedown and drive his bout into sudden victory, then scored first to win a 6-4 decision in overtime. Teammate Braxton Amos helped the Badgers re-take the team lead then 17-15 with a 4-1 decision over Andrew Davison at 197 pounds.

Northwestern retook the final lead for the go-ahead score after Lucas Davison defeated Trent Hillger, 4-1, at heavyweight.

The Badgers turn their attention to Sunday as the team travels to No. 5 Nebraska. The Big Ten dual will be streamed live on B1G+ at 2 p.m. CT.

Jan. 27, 2023 - #15 Wisconsin 17, #9 Northwestern 18 (Evanston, Ill.) | WIS - NW
125: #8 Eric Barnett (WIS) over #6 Michael DeAugustino (NW), Dec. 4-3 | 3-0
133: #13 Chris Cannon (NW) over #29 Taylor Lamont (WIS), Dec. 4-1 | 3-3
141: #11 Frankie Tal Shahar (NW) over #24 Joseph Zargo (WIS), Dec. 3-2 | 3-6
149: #4 Yahya Thomas (NW) over #2 Austin Gomez (WIS), Injury Default 3:19 | 3-12
157: #18 Garrett Model (WIS) over Aiden Vandenbush (NW), Major Decision 13-4 | 7-12
165: #7 Dean Hamiti (WIS) over #18 Maxx Mayfield (NW), Major Decision 14-2 | 11-12
174: #19 Troy Fisher (NW) over Josh Otto (WIS), Dec. 4-2 | 11-15
184: Tyler Dow (WIS) over Evan Bates (NW), Dec. 6-4 (SV-1) | 14-15
197: #12 Braxton Amos (WIS) over #28 Andrew Davison (NW), Dec. 4-1 | 17-15
285: #4 Lucas Davison (NW) over #11 Trent Hillger (WIS), Dec. 4-1, 17-18
All rankings Intermat for Jan. 24, 2023

JESSICA BURDA LESLIE | WISCONSIN ATHLETICS
Digital Content Editor, Brand Communications
UWBadgers.com & Badgers App | Wrestling, Men's & Women's Golf
Kellner Hall | 1440 Monroe Street | Madison, WI 53711
608-444-6588 | UWBadgers.com | @UWBadgers

[wrestlemania]

Again you have to credit the coaching staff and wrestlers for doing everything they could to win against a tough opponent. It's just so frustrating being a UW wrestling fan when once again when something like injuries just screws you over. That's Badgers third loss this season by a single point and least two due to injuries to your best wrestler. Yuck!

Good work by Model and Amos and Dow is just on fire right now. Great to see Barnett back in the W column.

[head57]

Obvious question...Is Gomez going to be ok?

[bigoil]

Obvious question...Is Gomez going to be ok?

He limped very hard but did do the handshake line at the end of the dual.

[TomM]

Obvious question...Is Gomez going to be ok?

He limped very hard but did do the handshake line at the end of the dual.

What?  So you're a doctor now?

[Vir Fortis]

Obvious question...Is Gomez going to be ok?

He limped very hard but did do the handshake line at the end of the dual.

Hopefully it's something like a minor sprain or something, but it seems like he's been dealing with this for a while now.