A dominant performance on Jan. 24 when Indiana wrestling defeated Michigan State 35-3 was followed by a close loss to No. 18 Michigan 22-13 on Sunday. Indiana’s season record of 6-3 and 2-3 in the Big Ten reflect the difficulty of the conference, as all three losses have come from Big Ten foes — the latest coming at the hands of Michigan.
Michigan State on Jan. 24
Indiana took nine of 10 bouts against the Spartans in the Jan. 24 dual. The 32-point margin of victory is the largest in the history of Indiana and Michigan State’s meetings. Just one year ago, the Hoosiers barely squeaked out a win over the Spartans after a sizeable comeback, winning 23-18. This season's victory over Michigan State marks the first back-to-back wins over the Spartans since the 2010-11 season.
Four Hoosiers won by major decisions in the dual, and Ryan Garvick delivered his first career dual victory. The freshman hit a slide-by to a double leg for the first takedown, helping seal his win.
Redshirt sophomore No. 20 Gabe Sollars dispatched Michigan State’s lone ranked wrestler in redshirt freshman No. 25 Remy Cotton by an 11-6 decision.
Redshirt sophomore No. 12 Tyler Lillard won in a dramatic overtime victory after hitting a high-flyer that put his opponent on his back and led to a decisive pin.
Michigan on Sunday
With momentum after their victory in East Lansing, the Hoosiers took the mat once more in Ann-Arbor, Michigan. The Hoosiers rocketed out to a 10-0 lead through two matches, but the Wolverines, who are ranked No. 18 in the nation, rattled off five wins in a row, winning 22-13. Many matches were close contests with the Wolverines winning by decision in six of their seven wins against the Hoosiers.
Indiana started the dual strong, winning its first two matches by technical superiority. Graduate students No.18 Jacob Moran and No. 27 Angelo Rini delivered a 1-2 punch at 125 lbs. and 133 lbs., dispatching their Wolverine opponents in dominant fashion, winning 17-2 and 18-3, respectively.
Another highlight for the Hoosiers was freshman Sam Goin, who garnered his third ranked victory of the season after defeating No. 20 redshirt senior Jaden Bullock 8-4. Goin, who wrestled his fourth competition of the season, remains eligible to redshirt this season but appears on the level to compete with top competition.
Indiana will return to action against Northwestern at 4 p.m. Friday at Wilkinson Hall in Bloomington.
