Wisconsin Badgers Wrestling Drops Regular Season Finale vs No. 16 Northern Iowa

The No. 26 Wisconsin Badgers Wrestling program fell to No. 16 Northern Iowa 27–11 on Sunday in Cedar Falls.

Let’s take a look at how the Badgers performed vs No. 16 Northern Iowa.

Wisconsin Badgers Wrestling Falls vs. No. 16 Northern Iowa

125 pounds

No. 6 Eric Barnett vs. No. 26 Trever Anderson

As its been written many times this year – Barnett went out and got a ranked win to start the dual off in Wisconsin’s favor.

Notching his 22nd win this season, Barnett has been a rock for Coach Bono’s Badgers. He will be missed dearly next season.

Barnett won the match by a 6–1 decision.

133 pounds 

Nicolar Rivera vs. No. 25 Julian Farber

Rivera continues to battle and had a close match that he just couldn’t reel in. This was a strong redshirt freshman season and I look forward to seeing how he performs in Big Tens.

Rivera lost the match by a 9–4 decision.

141 pounds

Felix Lettini vs. No. 6 Cael Happel

Facing his second top ten matchup in as many weeks – Lettini showed grit until the very end.

Lettini lost the match by 22–6 technical fall.

149 pounds

No. 16 Joseph Zargo vs. Adam Allard

Zargo continues to impress with his resiliency and commitment to the fight. In a scrappy match Zargo usually finds a way to earn his victory and Sunday was no exception.

Zargo won the match by a 3–1 decision.

157 pounds

Luke Mechler vs. No. 14 Ryder Downey

Mechler like he’s done all year – he kept fighting but couldn’t stave off the last minute takedown by Downey.

It;s a bummer as this could have been a huge boost of confidence for the Wisconsin Badgers 157 pounder headed into the postseason.

Mechler lost the match by a 5–3 decision.

165 pounds

No. 5 Dean Hamiti vs. Jack Thomsen

The Hammer was back in a big way for the Badgers on Sunday. DJ came out and exploded again with his offense en route to a bonus point victory.

With this victory, Hamiti is now 24–1 and ranked No.3 Most Dominate Wrestler in the NCAA. He has 20 bonus point victories in 24 matches.

DAWWWWWWGGGG!!

Hamiti won this match by 18–2 decision.

174 pounds

No. 12 Max Maylor vs. No. 29 Jared Simma

Maylor was upset by the Panthers 174 pounder in a unexpected result. Leading the match 4–3 it looked as if Maylor was injured.

It would certainly explain the result as Maylor rarely gets beaten by bonus points.

Maylor lost this match by a 16–6 major decision.

184 pounds

No. 16 Shane Liegel vs. No. 1 Parker Keckeisen

Liegel battled the top ranked wrestler in the class and held his own in my opinion. I feel confident if they meet again that Liegel will be tested and ready for the challenge again.

Liegel lost this match by 11–3 major decision.

197 pounds

Josh Otto vs. No. 24 Wyatt Voelker

Hats off to Josh Otto who had a rough season but always battled for the boys.

Otto lost this match by a 12–2 major decision.

285 pounds

Gannon Rosenfeld vs. No. 16 Tyrell Gordon

Gannon was battling but couldn’t get the offense going. Tough go of it the last two weeks but hell be tested and ready for Big Tens.

Like I said last week – the best is yet to come.

Rosenfeld lost this match by a 9–0 major decision.

What’s Next for Wisconsin Badgers Wrestling?

Wisconsin now shifts its focus to the Big Ten Championships March 9-10 at the Xfinity Center in College Park, MD

Stay tuned to Badger Notes for coverage of the Wisconsin Badgers wrestling program.

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