Match Recap
Lock Haven
WINNER
Northern Illinois
LOCK HAVEN ROLLS TO IMPRESSIVE WIN OVER NORTHERN ILLINOIS
LOCK HAVEN — The Lock Haven wrestling team defended home territory with a 28-8 victory over the visiting Northern Illinois at Thomas Fieldhouse on January 30, 2026. The event drew a crowd of 511 fans. The Bald Eagles claimed victory in this important conference dual meet.
Early Huskies Momentum
The action began at 125 pounds where Blake West (Northern Illinois) earned a decision (2-0) to give the visitors an early lead at Lock Haven 0, Northern Illinois 3. The 133-pound bout saw Markel Baker (Northern Illinois) secured a decision victory (5-1), extending the visitors' advantage at Lock Haven 0, Northern Illinois 6. The 141-pound bout saw Wyatt Henson (Lock Haven) pinned his opponent in 2:44, tying the score at Lock Haven 6, Northern Illinois 6.
Key Middle Bouts
The momentum firmly shifted to Bald Eagles beginning at 141 pounds, as the home team put together a crucial streak of 7 consecutive victories. At 141 pounds, Wyatt Henson won by fall, followed by Lucas Kapusta with a decision at 149 pounds, followed by Nick Stampoulos with a decision at 157 pounds, followed by Nick Kunstek with a decision at 165 pounds, followed by Avery Bassett with a decision at 174 pounds, followed by Sam Gautreau with a technical fall at 184 pounds, and at 197 pounds, Tucker Hogan capped the run with a technical fall, pushing the score to Lock Haven 28, Northern Illinois 6.
Sealing the Victory
at 184 pounds, Sam Gautreau (Lock Haven) earned a technical fall in 6:46 (22-6), making the final score Lock Haven 23, Northern Illinois 6. followed by Tucker Hogan at 197 pounds who secured a technical fall in 4:04 (17-0), In the final bout at 285 pounds, Devon Dawson prevailed by decision (4-2), making the final score Lock Haven 28, Northern Illinois 9.
Takedown Statistics
In the takedown battle, Lock Haven led with a 13 takedown advantage. Overall, Lock Haven finished with 17 takedowns to Northern Illinois's 4. Sam Gautreau (Lock Haven) led all wrestlers with 7 takedowns, followed by Wyatt Henson (Lock Haven) with 3 takedowns and Nick Kunstek (Lock Haven) with 2 takedowns.
Bout-by-Bout Analysis
Final: Lock Haven 28 – Northern Illinois 8
125: Blake West (Northern Illinois) dec. Curtis Nelson (Lock Haven) 2-0 // Northern Illinois leads 3-0
133: Markel Baker (Northern Illinois) dec. Gable Strickland (Lock Haven) 5-1 // Northern Illinois leads 6-0
141: Wyatt Henson (Lock Haven) won by fall in 2:44 // Tied 6-6
149: Lucas Kapusta (Lock Haven) dec. Collin Arch (Northern Illinois) 5-1 // Lock Haven leads 9-6
157: Nick Stampoulos (Lock Haven) dec. Landen Johnson (Northern Illinois) 6-5 // Lock Haven leads 12-6
165: Nick Kunstek (Lock Haven) dec. Brett Smith (Northern Illinois) 9-6 // Lock Haven leads 15-5 *
174: Avery Bassett (Lock Haven) dec. Tommy Bennett (Northern Illinois) 8-1 // Lock Haven leads 18-5
184: Sam Gautreau (Lock Haven) tech fall Ian Smith (Northern Illinois) in 6:46 22-6 // Lock Haven leads 23-5
197: Tucker Hogan (Lock Haven) tech fall Dominic Heim (Northern Illinois) in 4:04 17-0 // Lock Haven leads 28-5
285: Devon Dawson (Northern Illinois) dec. Kade Sottolano (Lock Haven) 4-2 // Lock Haven leads 28-8
*Team point deducted from NIU after 165 pound bout due to unsportsmanlike conduct.