No. 2 Gophers Tame Wildcats, 26-12

MINNEAPOLIS – The No. 2 University of Minnesota Golden Gopher wrestling team resumed Big Ten competition with a victory over No. 13 Northwestern on Friday evening. The Golden Gophers improve to 5-0 on the season and 2-0 in the Big Ten.

The Gophers were able to win six of the ten bouts on the evening while claiming two decisions, two major decisions and two falls on the evening.

Minnesota started the the dual with a loss at 125 pounds as Jordan Kingsley made his dual debut on the season. Following the loss, Minnesota was able to pick up four victories before Danny Zilverberg was defeated by Northwestern’s Pierce Harger. The Gophers would then drop the next bout as Alec Ortiz stepped in for No. 5 Logan Storley.

Kevin Steinhaus continued his dual success as he was able to win by major decision over Jacob Berkowitz. No. 1 Scott Schiller continued his undefeated season with a pin over Alex Polizzi. Schiller’s record improves to 19-0 on the season.

The most noteworthy moment of the evening came as No. 1 Tony Nelson battled No. 8 Mike McMullan in a rematch of the Big Ten Championship and NCAA Championship from a year ago. Nelson trailed 1-0 going into the third period but was able to grab a point on an escape to tie the score at 1-1 at the end of three. In the first overtime, McMullan was able to takedown Nelson for the sudden victory win. The loss breaks Nelson’s undefeated season streak.

Despite the loss, the Gophers were able to tame the Wildcats and come away with a dual victory.

Minnesota will return to their home mat on Sunday, Jan. 12 to host border rival Wisconsin at 1 p.m. at the Sports Pavilion.

No. 2 Minnesota 26, No. 13 Northwestern 12

125: Garrison White (Northwestern) won by decision overJordan Kingsley (Minnesota), 6-0.  NU 3-0

133: David Thorn (Minnesota) won by major decision over Dominick Malone (Northwestern) 16-5. Minn: 4 NU: 3

141: Chris Dardanes (Minnesota) won by decision over Pat Greco (Northwestern) 3-2. Minn: 7 NU: 3

149: Nick Dardanes (Minnesota) won by decision over Jason Tsirtsis (Northwestern) 5-3. Minn: 10 NU: 3

157: Brandon Kinglsey (Minnesota) won by pin over Dylan Marriott (Northwestern) 1:00.  Minn: 16 NU: 3

165: Pierce Harger (Northwestern) won by decision over Danny Zilverberg (Minnesota) 7-5 Minn: 16 NU: 6

174: Lee Munster (NU) won by decision over Alec Ortiz (Minnesota) 4-1 Minn: 16 NU: 9

184: Kevin Steinhaus (Minnesota) won by major decision over Jacob Berkowitz (Northwestern) 14-5 Minn: 20 NU: 9

197:  Scott Schiller (Minnesota) won by pin over Alex Polizzi (Northwestern) 4:05. Minn: 26 NU: 9

HWT: Mike McMullan (Northwestern) won in sudden victory 1 over Tony Nelson  (Minnesota) 3-1 Minn: 26 NU: 12