By Ed Muniz-Photos by Renee Kaspar
**Additional photos are available at https://justallsports.zenfolio.com/p477448040**
EVANSTON, Ill. (January 7, 2023) – The Northwestern Wildcats Matmen will be experiencing a sweet taste; a taste so pleasurable, they’ll savor it so some time after not having had it in Evanston in 27 years.
The Wildcats opened the Big Ten Schedule hosting the Golden Gophers of Minnesota in Evanston. After all the takedowns, escapes and decisions, the Wildcats defeated the Golden Gophers in dual action.
Outscoring the Gophers in six of the nine bouts, the Wildcats would end a long drought and defeat the visitors, 18 to 11, and savor the sweet taste of victory long overdue.
The Wildcats (2-0,1-0 B1G) entered the dual as the 15th ranked team nationally while Minnesota (7-1, 0-1 B1G) was highly touted as the ninth best team in the country.
The dual began at 165 with Northwestern’s Max Mayfield taking on #22 Andrew Sparks. A 4-4 tie would have its dramatics just as time was about to expire, a last second takedown by Mayfield upsetting Sparks with the 6-4 decision and an early 3-0 team lead.
Minnesota responded with three straight victories at 174, 184 and 197.
A 17-5 Major Decision by 15th ranked Bailee O’Reilly over Ankhaa Enkhmandah put the Gophers ahead in the team score at 4-3.
11th Ranked Isaiah Salazar added to the Minnesota lead after gaining another Major Decision of 15-1 over Evan Bates at 184, followed by Michial Foy’s 2-0 decision over Wildcts’ Andre Davison which gave the Gophers a 11-3 team lead.
Fourth-ranked, Lucas Davison kick-started the Northwestern comeback with his 4-1 decision over Garret Jones to cut the Minnesota lead to 11-6. Jones maintained his advantage throughout, beginning with an early takedown.
No bout at 125 as neither team could provide a participant.
At 133, Northwestern’s 11th ranked Chris Cannon used a late second period take down and a four-point near fall to jump ahead after trailing 22nd ranked Aaron Nagao for most of the first two period. He continued to maintain the lead with the 7-3 decision. His win cut the Minnesota team lead to 11-9.
Frankie Tal-Shahar may be the Wildcats most colorful wrestler. His 15th national ranking saw him battle the Gophers’ top-ten ranked Jakob Bergelandat 141. The match became a battle of wills as both were evenly match using great defense each. A first period takedown became the victory score for Tal-Shahar, winning 2-1, giving the Wildcats the team lead at 12-11.
The 149 bout saw 5th ranked Yahya Thomas add to his win streak with a double-overtime ride out over 15th ranked Michael Blockhus, adding to the Wildcat team lead at 15-11.
Marmion Academy graduate and 16th ranked Trevor Chumbley made it five in a row for the Wildcats with his 8-4 decision win over 8th ranked Brayton Lee sealing the Northwestern defeat of Top-Ten Minnesota Golden Gopher, 18-11.
