EVANSTON, Ill. (January 20, 2023) – Michael DeAugustino's major decision in the night's closing bout proved to be the difference as No. 14 Northwestern (3-2, 2-2 B1G) defeated No. 25 Illinois (4-4, 2-2 B1G) this evening inside Welsh-Ryan Arena. The Wildcats and Fighting Illini finished the dual meet locked in a 17-17 tie, with Northwestern prevailing on criteria, which came down to total match points scored only from decisions, major decisions, and technical falls.
With the 'Cats staring at a 17-13 deficit in the team score entering the finale at 125 pounds, DeAugustino, currently ranked fifth by FloWrestling, found himself with a 5-1 edge with less than 30 seconds to go. The redshirt senior went on to plant Maximo Renteria on his back, registering a takedown and two-point near fall that sent Welsh-Ryan Arena into a frenzy en route to a 10-1 major decision win.
Wrestling at 149 pounds, No. 4 Yahya Thomas stayed perfect in Big Ten Conference action, registering two first-period takedowns as part of a 7-3 triumph over Jake Harrier that put the 'Cats on the board in the team race.
No. 14 Trevor Chumbley bounced back from a pair of tough defeats last week at 157 pounds. Chumbley raced out to an early lead on Anthony Federico before coming up with a takedown with only 10 seconds to go in the third period, clinching a 10-2 major decision.
Fresh off a win in his hometown this past Sunday, No. 24 Maxx Mayfield carried over momentum, using a takedown as time expired in the first period to jump in front on No. 12 Dan Braunagel as part of an 8-3 victory that saw Mayfield improve to 3-1 in conference.
No. 4 Lucas Davison found himself in rough waters early on against Matt Wroblewski at 285 pounds, surrendering a takedown in the first period, but battled back, scoring the bout's final six points to secure a 6-2 decision.
Northwestern returns to Welsh-Ryan Arena on Friday, January 27 when it hosts No. 16 Wisconsin at 7 p.m.
#14 Northwestern 18, #25 Illinois 17 (NU Wins On Criteria)
133: #8 Lucas Byrd (ILL) over #11 Chris Cannon (NW) (Dec 5-2)
141: HM Danny Pucino (ILL) over #10 Frankie Tal-Shahar (NW) (Dec 8-6)
149: #4 Yahya Thomas (NW) over Jake Harrier (ILL) (Dec 7-3)
157: #14 Trevor Chumbley (NW) over Anthony Federico (ILL) (MD 10-2)
165: #24 Maxx Mayfield (NW) over #12 Dan Braunagel (ILL) (Dec 8-3)
174: #4 Edmond Ruth (ILL) over Ankhaa Enkhmandakh (NW) (TF 16-0 5:28)
184: HM Dylan Connell (ILL) over Jon Halvorsen (NW) (Dec 3-1)
197: #9 Zac Braunagel (ILL) over HM Andrew Davison (NW) (Dec 3-2)
285: #4 Lucas Davison (NW) over Matt Wroblewski (ILL) (Dec 6-2)
125: #5 Michael DeAugustino (NW) over Maximo Renteria (ILL) (MD 10-1)
With the 'Cats staring at a 17-13 deficit in the team score entering the finale at 125 pounds, DeAugustino, currently ranked fifth by FloWrestling, found himself with a 5-1 edge with less than 30 seconds to go. The redshirt senior went on to plant Maximo Renteria on his back, registering a takedown and two-point near fall that sent Welsh-Ryan Arena into a frenzy en route to a 10-1 major decision win.
.@MikeDeAug makes Welsh-Ryan Arena go ????????!#GoCats | @B1GWrestling pic.twitter.com/lUqiWgUvtH
— Northwestern Wrestling (@NUWrestle) January 21, 2023
Wrestling at 149 pounds, No. 4 Yahya Thomas stayed perfect in Big Ten Conference action, registering two first-period takedowns as part of a 7-3 triumph over Jake Harrier that put the 'Cats on the board in the team race.
Undefeated in conference action. ???@NUWrestle x @yahyat_prime pic.twitter.com/yHJcbbi9DA
— Northwestern On BTN (@NUOnBTN) January 21, 2023
No. 14 Trevor Chumbley bounced back from a pair of tough defeats last week at 157 pounds. Chumbley raced out to an early lead on Anthony Federico before coming up with a takedown with only 10 seconds to go in the third period, clinching a 10-2 major decision.
Oh, you already knew it was Trevor Time.#GoCats | @B1GWrestling pic.twitter.com/DAdgrJDhk3
— Northwestern Wrestling (@NUWrestle) January 21, 2023
Fresh off a win in his hometown this past Sunday, No. 24 Maxx Mayfield carried over momentum, using a takedown as time expired in the first period to jump in front on No. 12 Dan Braunagel as part of an 8-3 victory that saw Mayfield improve to 3-1 in conference.
?????????? ???? for @maxxmayfield5! #GoCats | @B1GWrestling pic.twitter.com/BoA1fD4bRA
— Northwestern Wrestling (@NUWrestle) January 21, 2023
No. 4 Lucas Davison found himself in rough waters early on against Matt Wroblewski at 285 pounds, surrendering a takedown in the first period, but battled back, scoring the bout's final six points to secure a 6-2 decision.
BIG MAN SLAM! ??#NCAAWrestling x ?? @NUWrestle pic.twitter.com/AT9D2stISt
— NCAA Wrestling (@NCAAWrestling) January 21, 2023
Northwestern returns to Welsh-Ryan Arena on Friday, January 27 when it hosts No. 16 Wisconsin at 7 p.m.
#14 Northwestern 18, #25 Illinois 17 (NU Wins On Criteria)
133: #8 Lucas Byrd (ILL) over #11 Chris Cannon (NW) (Dec 5-2)
141: HM Danny Pucino (ILL) over #10 Frankie Tal-Shahar (NW) (Dec 8-6)
149: #4 Yahya Thomas (NW) over Jake Harrier (ILL) (Dec 7-3)
157: #14 Trevor Chumbley (NW) over Anthony Federico (ILL) (MD 10-2)
165: #24 Maxx Mayfield (NW) over #12 Dan Braunagel (ILL) (Dec 8-3)
174: #4 Edmond Ruth (ILL) over Ankhaa Enkhmandakh (NW) (TF 16-0 5:28)
184: HM Dylan Connell (ILL) over Jon Halvorsen (NW) (Dec 3-1)
197: #9 Zac Braunagel (ILL) over HM Andrew Davison (NW) (Dec 3-2)
285: #4 Lucas Davison (NW) over Matt Wroblewski (ILL) (Dec 6-2)
125: #5 Michael DeAugustino (NW) over Maximo Renteria (ILL) (MD 10-1)