Home Match: Brawl on Huntington, 2/1/2020
Northeastern University (13) versus University of Rhode Island (31) – Loss
Northeastern University (3) versus Springfield Technical Community College (51) – Loss
Left the match with a positive outlook, as many wrestlers got their first matches and learned something by the time the meet had finished. A great opportunity to wrestle with one of the best teams in the conference (STCC). Additionally this home match provided great visibility for the team, allowing many friends and family to spectate some great wrestling.
Away Match: Drew Esquivel Duals, 2/9/2020
Massachusetts Institute of Technology (23) versus Northeastern University (24)
Yale University (27) versus Northeastern University (22)
Northeastern picked up its first win of the season as a team against MIT, with key pins coming from wrestlers freshman Joseph Perkins and sophomore Anthony Wilkinson. Yale University, likewise, was a close match.
Away Tournament: Henry Marsh Invitational, 2/15/2020
At this tournament, Northeastern saw a couple of its wrestlers place on the podium. Junior Connor Muilenburg placed 2nd out of the 165 lb weight class, and Joseph Perkins placed 3rd out of the 197 lb weight class. Among the schools attending were the hosting University of New Hampshire, Springfield Technical Community College, Yale University, the University of Rhode Island, and several others.
These would not be the last souvenirs these wrestlers would get their hands on this season.
Away Tournament: UNH Wildcat Invitational, 2/22/2020
The Huskies returned to the University of New Hampshire in greater numbers the following week, and saw not two, but four wrestlers stand atop the podium this time. Freshman Koh Suzuki took 2nd out of the 149 lb weight class, Anthony Wilkinson took 2nd out of the 174 lb weight class, Joseph Perkins took 1st out of the 197 lb weight class, and freshman Carmen Graham took 1st out of the Women’s 148 lb weight class.
Away Tournament: NCWA Northeast Conference Championships, 2/29/2020
Arriving at Springfield Technical Community College, any wrestlers that placed within the top 6 of their weight class would qualify for entry into the National Championships in Allen, TX. After a long day of hard-fought matches, Northeastern ended up qualifying four wrestlers for the championships. The qualifiers were Koh Suzuki, who placed 7th in the 149 lb weight class and received a wildcard, Connor Muilenburg, who placed 4th in the 165 lb weight class, Joseph Perkins, who placed 1st in the conference in the 197 lb weight class, and Carmen Graham, who placed 1st in the conference for the women’s 148 lb weight class.
Away Tournament: NCWA National Championships, 3/12/2020-3/14/2020
As always, the National Championships were a great team experience spent fully immersed in the sport. There were many exciting and hard-fought matches, both within their team and without. Joseph Perkins made it all the way to the blood round (the match that, if you win, guarantees you a place on the podium and as an All-American), and Carmen Graham would come to place 4th in the nation in the 148 lb weight class. Their excitement was immeasurable as she became the first All-American from Northeastern University’s Women’s Division.
The improvement seen among wrestlers over this past season has been incredible. We’ve seen wrestlers both grow as athletes and as people. Perhaps what is most fulfilling is to have witnessed the bonds forged as we all made memories — and history — together. This was also the last year Nico Dionisotti would serve as head coach. With his help, they fine-tuned their technique and focused their strength, and he did all he could to ensure success.