Eastern Michigan Wrestling defeated the University of Northern Iowa Panthers for the first time ever on Wednesday at the Convocation Center in a 22-14 victory.
The Eagles (7-2, 2-0) were able to come back late to defeat the Panthers due to a pin fall forced by redshirt senior Anthony Abro in its second Mid-American Conference dual of the year.
The dual began in the heavy weight range where redshirt sophomore Gage Hutchinson fell to 15th ranked Blaize Cabell in a 9-4 decision.
Eastern Michigan redshirt freshman Armondo Torres was able toget the Eagles back on track with an 11-1 major decision to give them the early 4-3 lead.
Northern Iowa’s confidence would continue to rise as 18 ranked Josh Alber achieved a 18-2
technical fall victory over redshirt sophomore Blake Caudill of EMU. Redshirt sophomore Kyle Springer would fall in a 6-3 decision to add to the Panthers lead.
Nick Barber, a redshirt junior would put the Eagles back on the board with a 4-1 decision in the 149-pound weight class. This would put the eagles back on the board but they still trailed 11-7.
Redshirt junior Devan Marry would fall in a 9-5 decision to UNI’s 20 ranked Bryce Steiert. This would be the last match that the Panthers would win for the dual.
Redshirt freshman Dakota Juarez came out with an 8-3 decision to cut the gap to 14-10 in Northern Iowa’s favor. Redshirt junior Jacob Davis would continue the momentum swing in a 2-1 overtime match decision to set up the Eagles behind 14-13 with only Hillman and Abro to go.
Redshirt freshman Derek Hillman came out and dominated late in an 8-3 decision to give the Eagles their first lead after since the second match at 16-14.
The match came down to redshirt senior, nationally ranked Anthony Abro at 194 lb. Abro would pin his opponent to give the Eagles the 22-14 victory over the Panthers, their first ever.
The Eagles will carry their undefeated Mid-American Conference record to Athens, Ohio to face off against the 17 ranked Ohio University Bobcats. This match will be at 7 p.m. on the 8 of Jan.
