Wisconsin Badgers Wrestling Fights Tough But Falls vs. No. 11 Minnesota

The No. 22 Wisconsin Badgers Wrestling program falls to Minnesota 28–12.

Let’s take a look at how the Badgers performed vs. Minnesota.

125 pounds

No. 2 Eric Barnett vs. No. 11 Patrick McKee

Barnett led McKee halfway through the second period but succumbed to a takedown and after a wild scramble. McKee capitalized and pinned EB.

I’m hoping these two tangle again at Big Tens.

Barnett lost this match by fall.

133 pounds 

Nicolar Rivera vs. No. 19 Tyler Wells

NICO GOT ABSOLUTELY JOBBED!

This match was tied 1–1 entering sudden victory. Wells was ruled to have a takedown but it came down to reaction time. Rivera got out in a split second and pinned Wells – only to be overturned.

This was a wild sequence… Wells was awarded a takedown in SV, but action continued anyway (because of reaction time?) and then Rivera “won by fall”… The challenge brick came in, refs reversed the call and awarded Wells his W!

Wells has been clutch. @GopherWrestling pic.twitter.com/tyWlbfbeqe

— The Wrestling Room (Pat Mineo) (@MrPatMineo) February 17, 2024

Horrendous. Gutted. Just an awful call.

Rivera lost the match by a 4–1 sudden victory decision.

141 pounds

Zan Fugitt vs. No. 26 Vance Vombaur

After a quick pace in which Fugitt scored a takedown – Vombaur turned up the heat.

Fugitt lost the match by a 17–5  major decision.

149 pounds

No. 19 Joseph Zargo vs. No. 16 Drew Roberts

JUNKYARD JOE WITH THE UPSET!

He came out on fire looking to score! I am a broken record at this point – but when Joseph Zargo wrestles like that he’s so incredibly hard to beat.

Joe Zargo handles his business at 149 for @BadgerWrestling! 💼

No. 19 defeats No. 16 Drew Roberts of Minnesota via a 13-5 decision. pic.twitter.com/6iTBliU4OH

— Big Ten Wrestling (@B1GWrestling) February 17, 2024

Zargo won the match by a 13–5 major decision.

157 pounds

Luke Mechler vs. No. 4 Michael Blockhus

Mechler was in the match all the way until late in the third period. Blockhus just proved to be too much for the Wisconsin Badgers wrestler and started to score and release.

Mechler lost the match by a 11–2 major decision.

165 pounds

No. 5 Dean Hamiti vs. No. 32 Blaine Brenner

DJ is still a madman! Locking in a cradle, he was looking for a pin – Brenner did all he could to avoid that but was still finished in the second period by tech fall.

Dean gets the Dub! 😎

No. 5 at 165 Dean Hamiti earns a 20-3 tech fall victory against No. 32 Blaine Brenner. 💥 pic.twitter.com/zTNJ8rVQap

— Big Ten Wrestling (@B1GWrestling) February 17, 2024

Hamiti won this match by 20–3 technical fall.

174 pounds

No. 12 Max Maylor vs. No. 31 Andrew Sparks

This like may matches – was a tight one. Maylor got a late takedown a the end of period three to steal the win. Had they went to overtime it was clear Maylor was the only one with gas – thankfully that wasnt needed.

Maylor won this match by by a 4–1 decision.

184 pounds

No. 16 Shane Liegel vs. No. 5 Isaiah Salazar

Another match decised in short time. Liegel surrendered a late takedown and couldn’t secure one of his own.

Liegel lost this match by a 4–1 decision.

197 pounds

Josh Otto vs. No. 20 Garrett Joles

Otto fought valiantly and kept battling but Joles was just too much for the Badgers senior.

Otto lost this match by a 18–3 technical fall.

285 pounds

Gannon Rosenfeld vs. No. 30 Bennett Tabor

This was not the match that Rosenfeld hoped for. He took some shots but Tabor brought the fight to him. Tough loss after a good two weeks for Rosenfeld.

Rosenfeld lost this match by a 11–1 major decision.

What’s Next for Wisconsin Badgers Wrestling?

Wisconsin is on the road for their final Big Ten dual vs. Iowa on Sunday 2/18 at 1PM on BTN.

Stay tuned to Badger Notes for coverage of the Wisconsin Badgers wrestling program and their upcoming competitions!

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