No. 22 Indiana University’s wrestling team achieved a significant victory over No. 15 Wisconsin on Saturday, February 7, with a final score of 30-9 in Madison. This win marks Indiana’s third triumph over a ranked opponent this season and is their first against Wisconsin since January 23, 2004.
The Hoosiers dominated the meet by winning eight consecutive bouts from the 125 to the 184-pound weight classes, building a commanding 30-0 lead before Wisconsin scored any points. Indiana did not allow a takedown until the match at 197 pounds.
Indiana’s season record now stands at 8-4 overall and 3-3 in Big Ten competition.
The match began with No. 14 Jacob Moran (125 lbs.) breaking a late tie to defeat No. 15 Nicolar Rivera by decision, 4-2. True freshman Jackson Blum (133 lbs.) followed with an upset over No. 8 Zan Fugitt, holding on for a 4-1 decision win.
Joey Buttler (149 lbs.) secured his first career win over a ranked opponent by defeating No. 12 Joe Zargo in sudden victory, finishing with a takedown for a final score of 4-1.
Bryce Lowery (157 lbs.) pinned Wisconsin’s No. 25 Luke Mechler just under two minutes into their match. At the next weight class, No. 19 Tyler Lillard (165 lbs.) delivered a technical fall by scoring nineteen points against No. 25 Cody Goebel.
No. 14 Sam Goin (184 lbs.) added an eleven-point major decision over Matthew Jens to give Indiana its final points of the afternoon and put them up by thirty.
Blum and Buttler each earned their first career wins over ranked opponents during this meet, contributing to Indiana’s five individual victories against ranked wrestlers in the dual meet.
“This was Indiana’s first win against Wisconsin since Jan. 23, 2004, when IU won 26-1,” according to the university release.
Three Hoosiers earned bonus-point wins during the contest as well.
This dual marked Indiana’s last road competition of the regular season; they will return home next week for a matchup against Nebraska on Sunday, February 15 at noon in Wilkinson Hall.