NMU Greco-Roman wrestlers defeat Doane 20-7.
MARQUETTE, Mich. – The Northern Michigan women’s wrestling team continued its rise on the season, winning all four of its duals at Friday’s Northern Duals inside Vandament Arena, while the Wildcats’ Greco-Roman squad added a victory of its own with a 20-7 win over Doane University.
Recently moving up to No. 10 in the NWCA poll, the Wildcats defeated Siena Heights (27-15), Alma (21-21, won via tiebreaker), Tiffin (26-16), and Carthage (27-15) to finish unbeaten on the day.
The Wildcats were nearly flawless on the mat, going 18-1 in contested bouts. Leading the way were Alissa Caltagirone and Sophia Bassino, who each went 4-0 with wins over each opponent.
Behind Northern, Tiffin went 3-1, Alma and Carthage each went 2-2, and Siena Heights was 0-4.
The Greco-Roman wrestlers went 6-2 overall, and 5-1 in scoring matches.
Northern Michigan 27, Siena Heights 15
Jamie Cook opened the match at 124, needing just 20 seconds to pin her opponent for the victory by fall.
At 131, Keaton Hood led 6-0 after the first period, and secured her 10-0 tech fall win just over a minute into the second period at 4:18.
Alissa Caltagirone was steady at 145, chipping away at her opponent to secure a 10-0 tech fall win in 2:08.
The last match came at 160, where Sophia Bassino dominated with a quick five-point throw just seconds in. She needed just 19 seconds to reach the finish line and pick up an 11-0 tech fall win.
Northern picked up wins by forfeit at 180 (Abbie Miles) and 207 (Mickaela Keane), while NMU forfeited to Siena Heights at 110, 117, and 131. Both sides forfeited 103.
Northern Michigan 21, Alma 21
Cook opened the dual for Northern but was defeated by fall, giving the Scots the early advantage.
In a tight bout at 138, Hood led 3-2 after the first period and battled the last 30 seconds of the period to avoid a pin. She stayed consistent in the second period for a 9-2 decision win.
Caltagirone secured a much-needed win by pin in 43 seconds to get the ‘Cats back on track.
Bassino followed that with a 10-0 tech fall victory in 2:27. Miles also recorded an 11-0 tech fall win of her own, needing 2:10.
NMU forfeited at 103, 110, and 117, while picking up a forfeit victory of their own at 207 (Mickaela Keane). Each side forfeited the 131-pound weight class.
The Wildcats earned the victory on a tiebreaker.
Northern Michigan 26, Tiffin 16
Cook made quick work of her opponent in the first match, needing 29 seconds for a fall win. Hood followed that by going the distance in her dual, but claimed the victory in an 11-2 decision.
Caltagirone added another victory by fall for the Green and Gold, taking just 42 seconds off the clock before the final whistle.
Bassino threw her opponent partway through the first round and soon finished the bout with NMU’s third pin of the match, needing 1:52.
The contest at 180 dipped into the second round, but Miles needed only 25 seconds of the second frame to secure a 10-0 tech fall win.
Keane saw her first action of the day at 207 to close out the match with Tiffin. She took advantage with a 10-0 tech fall victory in 2:26.
NMU forfeited 110 and 117, while each side forfeited 131.
Northern Michigan 27, Carthage 15
In NMU’s final match of the day, Cook led 4-0 after the first round. In the second, a throw led to a pin in 4:15 for her third win.
Another throw from Caltagirone in the first few seconds of her match gave her the only momentum, and she secured a pin soon after in just 37 seconds.
With an 11-0 tech fall win, Bassino took just over a minute to add another victory to her credit.
In the final dual of the day, taking place at 207, Keane went the full six minutes to claim a 6-0 decision triumph.
NMU forfeited 103, 110, and 131. Carthage forfeited at 138 and 180, while neither team had representation at 117.
NMU Greco-Roman Wrestling 20, Doane 7
At 60kg, Ryder Smith opened the match for Northern Michigan with a win by tech fall, 8-0, coming in 1:32.
Doane bounced back with a win at 63kg, as Anthony Santana lost 11-0 by tech fall in 2:46.
Amryn Nutter started his bout at 67kg with back-to-back impressive throws, leading to a 10-1 tech fall in 0:57.
At 72kg, David Stepanian followed with another tech fall win, coming 12-2 in 2:10.
Will Scherer recorded the first win by pin in the match, taking place at 2:29.
Jimmy Hustoles went the distance at 130kg. He led 1-0 after round one. Locked in a 1-1 tie with 45 seconds left, he found another gear to force out his opponent for a 3-1 lead, which would hold for the final score and NMU’s 20-7 victory.
In a pair of exhibitions, Santana lost by tech fall in 2:04, and Maddox Khalimsky ended the match with a win by pin in 1:12.
Up Next
The Wildcats will make their third trip of the season to Illinois for the Midlands Championships on Tuesday, December 30.
