In the first conference dual of the season, Ohio eclipsed its Mid-American Conference win total from a year ago.
Ohio (6-4-1, 1-0 MAC) was able to hold on for a 23-22 win against Northern Illinois (4-4, 0-1 MAC) in the first MAC dual of the season. The Bobcats were 0-5 in conference play last season, including a 26-10 loss to Northern Illinois.
That was our goal
Tommy Weinkam (165 pounds) said. We wanted to start it off on a high note.
The Bobcats needed two gutsy performances from guys who were injured to win the match, coach Joel Greenlee said.
Weinkam had been inactive since Dec. 18 and Schuth since Nov. 29.
Both won key matches last night.
Weinkam said that while it felt good to win and to help the team, the match took its toll physically.
My back is really screwed up Weinkam said. I was in pain the entire time.
Weinkam needed to score a takedown and ride his opponent out of the circle in the closing seconds to score a major decision and give the Bobcats an extra team point.
He did, and Ohio would need that point later on, as they won by one.
I'm proud of him to go out there Greenlee said. I knew he was in pain
and he got a win. He got a major decision for us.
Greenlee said that when a match is close as this one-both teams won five matches-it's not just about simply winning.
It all comes down to how you win
he said.
Schuth (184 pounds) had only been practicing for two weeks and his match went into triple overtime.
I thought by looking at the match that the other guy was a lot more tired than he was
Greenlee said. And that guy's been training.
Schuth said that he didn't think he wrestled his best match, but he did what he needed to do.
We were down at the time
Schuth said. I knew I had to tough it out and get a win.
Weinkam and Schuth were joined by Quentin Keyes (133 pounds), Nick Purdue (174 pounds) and Andy Hartshorn (HWT) in picking up wins for Ohio.
I think we all expected to win
Weinkam said. We're young but we're good. I'm excited to see how the rest of the season pans out.
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