Minnesota remains undefeated in Big Ten with 2 wins

The No. 5 Gophers began this weekend’s dual meet Friday by beating No. 14 Wisconsin in a close contest.

Minnesota prevailed by a score of 20-18 in a meet determined by just a few points in a couple different matches.

Both teams won five matches, but the Gophers managed to be on the right side of matches that went from decisions to major decisions, giving Minnesota enough points for a close win.

“We need to win close ones and we did,” Head Coach J Robinson said. “We needed to get those bonus points. Those bonus points really made the difference for us tonight.”

No. 4 Mike Thorn (141) started the evening off right for the Gophers, defeating Cole Schmitt by technical fall. The junior also scored near fall points in the course of his match, earning Minnesota five points.

The team was in good position heading into intermission after Scott Glasser (165) earned a major decision. Glasser is ranked No. 8 at 165 and has now won 15 of his last 16 matches. With the win, Glasser has a 24-4 record, good for the team lead in wins.

Wisconsin emerged from intermission determined and scored back-to-back victories by decision as No. 16 Travis Rutt (184) defeated the Gophers Kaleb Young.

Wisconsin’s No. 8 Trevor Brandvold (197) was able to withstand a late surge by No. 14 Sonny Yohn .

Even with the loss to Brandvold, Robinson said Yohn is on track to achieve his goals and get to where he needs to be.

“[Sonny is] very close and all he needs is one of those matches to break out,” Robinson said. “It’s going to happen before the Big Ten tournament, I really think it is. He’s working hard, and he’s focused.”

Robinson said he believes Yohn is on the brink of glory, but it’s just a matter of maintaining the effort and confidence levels.

Trailing 14-13 heading into the heavyweight match, the Gophers needed Ben Berhow to step up in a big way. Berhow was up to the challenge, winning a close 5-4 decision. When asked what the turning point of the match was, Robinson listed Berhow’s match without hesitation.

“We don’t win that match, we don’t win,” he said.

Berhow, who has anchored the Gophers recent success, said that he is a team-first competitor.

“I was watching my teammates battle out there, and you owe them that — to at least fight as hard as you can,” Berhow said. “It‘s always good to get wins, especially against a team like Wisconsin. They’re a tough team. They’re our rivals”.

After Berhow’s decision, No. 6 Zach Sanders (125) sealed the victory for the Gophers. His major decision put Minnesota up 20-14 and iced the win for the Gophers with just one match remaining.

Gophers dominate Purdue

On Sunday the Gophers hosted the Boilermakers in a match much less tense than Friday, winning soundly by a final team score of 30-9.

With three Minnesota wrestlers receiving major decisions and two others receiving decisions in convincing fashion, it was total team domination for the Gophers. Berhow led the way again by securing a fall 1:59 into the first period. Berhow had a good weekend of wrestling and his opponent Sunday, freshman Adam Walls , looked entirely overmatched.

Sanders was injured during the third period of his match, but held on for the victory. Sanders’ status for next week remains unknown when the Gophers hit the road to take on the Illini on Friday.

Sunday was the Gophers’ first ever endowment match. All tickets purchased will go to the student-athlete scholarship fund to help support the program in the future.