It was a tough weekend for the Badgers as a team. On Friday night the Badgers traveled to Northwestern where they nearly upset the Wildcats but ultimately fell just shy. Things may have been different, but #2 Austin Gomez had to injury default out of his match. That meant the Badgers went from possibly winning that match and scoring 3 more points to instead giving up 6 points to Northwestern.
To be clear nobody blames Gomez and we hope he is okay. The Badger has been having a fantastic season and has provided some juice to the lineup. I do not know the extent of his injury, but it appeared to be his knee in the dual. Gomez did not wrestle then on Sunday, but I expected that even if it was not serious. T’s and P’s to Gomez and I hope we see him soon.
On a high note, Eric Barnett picked up a Top 10 win against Northwestern. He defeated #6 DeAugustino in a gritty 4-3 match. Barnett may take a loss or two but he is wrestling the best in the country every time out so I’m not worried. The 2x All American has proven himself time and time again. I expect great things from this year at Nationals.
Garret Model and Dean Hamiti also picked up major decisions in the dual meet. It was nice to see a little 1-2 punch from the two as they went back to back scoring a ton of points. Tyler Dow picked up another win where he trailed earlier, but then turned it around and brought the heat to his opponent winning in SV. Amos rolled to a 4-1 victory as well.
Overall the team split 5-5 in matches and was just short of the upset on Friday. Sometimes things just don’t go your way for whatever reason, but the team looked tough on Friday night.
Then came Sunday afternoon where Wisconsin took on the #5 Nebraska Cornhuskers. To be honest, this one was not pretty. The Badgers earned wins from Lamont, Hamiti, and Hilger. Lamont and Hilger both earned decision victories while Hamiti scored a ton of points and got a tech fall.
Lamont wrestled Burwick at 133 pounds. Burwick transferred from Wisconsin this summer and after he earned his release found his way into Nebraska’s starting lineup. However, it was Lamont who also transferred in this summer who got the W. It was a nice victory for Lamont and it was nice to see him get a needed W.
Hamiti was the only wrestler for the Badgers to go 2-0 in this weekend’s action. In both dual meets Hamiti scored bonus points for the team. In what was kind of a down weekend for Wisconsin it was uplifting to see the younger Badger still ball out like we have grown accustomed to.
At heavyweight Trent Hilger bounced back with a solid win on Sunday afternoon. After losing a close battle to the #4 wrestler in the country Friday night, Hilger was able to pick up a dominant decision victory on Sunday. Hilger is a senior this year and over his years we have learned what to expect from him. He has proven to be very consistent, a leader, and one of our country’s best.
After watching both duals this weekend I have to say I am a bit bummed. I understand the circumstances of Friday night, but in the end we came up short of the upset. Then Sunday felt like a razor scooter to the shin, it hurt. The pain will go away and I believe the Badgers will bounce back and respond.
On Sunday from the outside perspective we seemed a little flat. It happens to everyone at some point, but it still sucks when it happens to you. However, I won’t lose faith, not yet. The Badgers have a short break which seems needed. Time for them to take a little time and rest up before their last two duals to close out the regular season, both of which are at home! Make sure to pack the field house and be loud.
Wisconsin Badgers vs Northwestern Wildcats
125: #8 Eric Barnett (WIS) over #6 Michael DeAugustino (NW), Dec. 4-3
133: #13 Chris Cannon (NW) over #29 Taylor Lamont (WIS), Dec. 4-1
141: #11 Frankie Tal Shahar (NW) over #24 Joseph Zargo (WIS), Dec. 3-2
149: #4 Yahya Thomas (NW) over #2 Austin Gomez (WIS), Injury Default 3:19
157: #18 Garrett Model (WIS) over Aiden Vandenbush (NW), Major Decision 13-4
165: #7 Dean Hamiti (WIS) over #18 Maxx Mayfield (NW), Major Decision 14-2
174: #19 Troy Fisher (NW) over Josh Otto (WIS), Dec. 4-2
184: Tyler Dow (WIS) over Evan Bates (NW), Dec. 6-4 (SV-1) |
197: #12 Braxton Amos (WIS) over #28 Andrew Davison (NW), Dec. 4-1
285: #4 Lucas Davison (NW) over #11 Trent Hillger (WIS), Dec. 4-1
Final Score: 17-18
Wisconsin Badgers vs Nebraska Cornhuskers
125: #5 Liam Cronin (NEB) over #8 Eric Barnett (WIS) Dec. 7-3
133: #29 Taylor Lamont (WIS) over #32 Kyle Burwick (NEB) Dec. 2-0
141: #6 Brock Hardy (NEB) over #24 Joseph Zargo (WIS) Dec. 7-2
149: Dayne Morton (NEB) over Aidan Medora (WIS) Dec. 7-3
157: #1 Peyton Robb (NEB) over #18 Garrett Model (WIS) Major Dec. 11-3
165: #7 Dean Hamiti (WIS) over Bubba Wilson (NEB) Tech Fall 17-2 7:00
174: #2 Mikey Labriola (NEB) over Josh Otto (WIS) Major Dec. 16-7
184: #16 Lenny Pinto (NEB) over Tyler Dow (WIS) Major Dec. 16-4
197: #20 Silas Allred (NEB) over #12 Braxton Amos (WIS) Dec. 7-2
285: #11 Trent Hillger (WIS) over Cale Davidson (NEB) Dec. 9-2
Final Score: 8-24
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