DEKALB, IL – The Rider University wrestling team continued to make statements on the mat, defeating Northern Illinois at the Huskie Duals, 26-6, on Sunday afternoon at Victor E. Court. Eight Broncs contributed individual wins for Rider, as the Broncs led throughout the dual.
Rider started the match with wins at 125, 133 and 141.
Jonathan Tropea (Harrington Park, NJ/Saint Joseph (Montvale))
earned a 9-8 decision over 2019 NCAA Qualifier Bryce West. Chris Wright (Harrisburg, PA/Central Dauphin) and Robbie Cleary (Edison, NJ/Bound Brook [Rutgers]) followed with major decisions to put the Broncs on top, 11-0.
After NIU got its first win at 149, the Broncs followed with a decision from
Jesse Dellavecchia (Great River, NY/East Islip [Binghamton]) at 157. The Huskies took their final victory at 165, before Rider won the last four matches to secure the 26-6 victory.
Dean Sherry (Brick, NJ/Brick Township) defeated Kenny Moore, 7-2, before
George Walton (Franklin, NJ/Bound Brook) defeated nationally-ranked No. 15 Brit Wilson, 7-6, at 184.
Ethan Laird (Waterford, PA/General McLane) and
Ryan Cloud (Brookville, OH/Northmont) also earned decisions at 197 and 285, respectively.
Quotes & Notes
"This weekend was a good test for us and the guys who wrestled."
"Coming off our win vs. Minnesota Friday, to travel five hours to NIU and compete the way they did, I'm very happy with their performance."
"We had great individual wins vs. nationally-ranked wrestlers by Tropea (second in two days) and Walton."
– Rider Head Coach John Hangey
- Rider earned its first win over a league foe since joining the Mid-American Conference.
- Rider is now 2-0 after today's win and a stunning 21-17 victory Friday at No. 6 Minnesota.
- Following today's match, Rider improves to 2-0 in the all-time series against the University of Northern Illinois. The last match for these two programs was back in 2014, when Rider won 28-9.
- Rider returns to action Sunday, Nov. 24 at the University of Pennsylvania's Keystone Classic. Matches are set to begin at 10 a.m.
Rider 26, NIU 6
125: Jonathon Tropea (RU) dec. Bryce West (NIU), 9-8; Rider leads, 3-0.
133:
Chris Wright (RU) maj. dec. Drew West (NIU), 17-8; Rider leads, 7-0.
141: Robbie Cleary (RU) maj. dec. Caleb Brooks (NIU), 8-0; Rider leads, 11-0.
149: McCoy Kent (NIU) dec.
Gino Fluri (RU), 7-6; Rider leads, 11-3.
157:
Jesse Dellavecchia (RU) dec. Mason Kauffman (NIU), 5-1; Rider leads, 14-3.
165: Izzak Olejnik (NIU) dec.
Joe Casey (RU), 8-6; Rider leads, 14-6.
174:
Dean Sherry (RU) dec. Kenny Moore (NIU), 7-2; Rider leads, 17-6.
184:
George Walton (RU) dec. #15 Brit Wilson (NIU), 7-6; Rider leads, 20-6.
197:
Ethan Laird (RU) dec. Gage Braun (NIU), 5-2; Rider leads, 23-6.
285:
Ryan Cloud (RU) dec. Max Ihry (NIU), 8-3; Rider wins, 26-6.
