In a final tuneup for the EIWA Tournament, @BigRedWrestling won five matches against ranked opponents, but bonus points made the difference in a 19-16 loss at #8 Wisconsin. #YellCornell https://t.co/VNrfWViz2G
— Cornell Big Red (@CornellSports) February 21, 2022
MADISON, Wis. -- Cornell wrestlers won five matches over ranked opponents, but bonus points for No. 11 Wisconsin lifted the Badgers to a 19-16 win on Sunday afternoon at UW Field House. Wisconsin upped its record to 12-2, while the Big Red's nine-match win streak was halted and fell to 12-3 heading into the EIWA championship in two weekends.
Here's the second TD of the first period for @yiannidiako_LGR pic.twitter.com/Hz7O2HPHAk
— Cornell Wrestling (@BigRedWrestling) February 20, 2022
Wisconsin jumped out to a 7-0 lead after two matches with a narrow win by Kyle Burwick over Dom LaJoie to open the dual at 133, followed by a major decision win at 141 by 32nd-ranked Joe Zargo. Cornell cut the deficit to 7-6 win after a 12-6 win by top-ranked Yianni Diakomihalis over No. 6 Austin Gomez at 149, followed by a 10-6 decision for No. 24 Hunter Richard over No. 29 Garrett Model.
Consecutive victories for the home team at 165 and 174, including a win by fall for No. 6 Dean Hamiti over ninth-ranked Julian Ramirez, made it 16-6, leaving the Badgers on the cusp of a win.
Cornell made its run with three victories in the final four matches, but couldn't add bonus points to alter the final team result.
Jonathan Loew, ranked No. 13 at 184, cruised past No. 27 Chris Weiler by a 9-4 score, while Jacob Cardenas picked up the lone takedown of the match in a 3-1 sudden victory triumph over No. 20 Braxton Amos. In the feature match of the night, No. 3 Vito Arujau made a statement with a 13-3 major over No. 6 Eric Barnett, dominating from the first whistle to add a bonus point.
Cornell will take a week to prepare for the EIWA Championship on March 5-6 at Newman Arena.