Just one year ago in Evanston, Illinois, Northwestern outmatched Indiana wrestling, winning 18-19.
This year, on Feb. 1, No. 23 Indiana showcased its progression on senior night, delivering a commanding 25-13 victory over Northwestern at Wilkinson Hall in Bloomington. The win boosted Indiana’s record to 7-3 overall and 3-3 in the Big Ten while also solidifying three straight seasons with seven or more dual wins under seven-year head coach Angel Escobedo.
The six Hoosiers honored included redshirt sophomore Mason Alley, senior Zack Rotkvich, redshirt junior Robert Major, and graduate students Jacob Bullock, Angelo Rini and DJ Washington. Alley and Major aren’t exercising all their eligibility, according to Indiana Athletics assistant director for strategic communications Jackson Yeary.
“They mean a lot … Where we had to dig this program out of, it was a tall task,” Escobedo said. “They were up for it, and they really changed it. The last three years we’ve been a top 25 team and that's stability and it’s all because of them.”
Escobedo started his tenure as Indiana’s head coach in 2018, the season before the team finished with a 6-10 overall record and 0-9 in the Big Ten.
“I play a small part, they play the big part, they have to go out there and compete,” Escobedo said. “It was great to see them win, that's what they deserve.”
Indiana set the tone and claimed victories in the first three matches. Graduate student Jacob Moran, at 125 lbs., kicked off the evening with a dominant technical fall, swiftly followed by Rini’s decision win at 133 lbs. Redshirt sophomore Henry Porter continued the momentum at 141 lbs. with a major decision victory over No. 33 ranked graduate student Chris Cannon, a two-time all-American.
“I think we performed very well, we prepared very well,” Porter said. “Our coaches do a good job of getting us ready. Overall, we went out there and got to our attacks, we were very offensive tonight.”
Through three matches, Indiana had a commanding lead at 12-0 when the Wildcats rattled off three wins to tighten the dual to 12-10.
Redshirt senior Derek Gilcher restored order after posting a 14-2 major decision, falling just short of a technical fall as time expired.
"It felt really good,” Gilcher said after the victory. “A little redemption for me."
Indiana closed out the night with dominant performances by celebrated seniors Washington and Bullock. The pair delivered a bonus point to seal the victory, a technical fall from Washington and a major decision from Bullock. In total, five of the seven Hoosier victories were bonus point wins.
“It was great, it got loud.” Escobedo said of the crowd's participation. “I’m proud of all the people that came. We tell our guys that you’ve gotta put on a performance, so they keep coming back. I think they did that.”
Indiana’s final home dual of the season will be against Ohio State at 2 p.m. Feb. 9 at Wilkinson Hall in Bloomington.
