Historic Win for Raider Wrestling Against the Chargers

Sioux City, IA - It was high energy on the road for Northwestern in their comeback dual victory 24-17 over Briar Cliff in a historic win.

It was a slow start for the Raiders as they would open up with a forfeit and drop a close one at 133 lbs as Johnny Burnette was unable to capitalize on a last second single-leg shot. Down 9-0, Northwestern would then rattle off three big wins in a row starting with Kane Butrick who came back from a 6-1 deficit to earn a 19-7 major victory. Noah Parmalee and Devin Padilla finish out the streak with two decision victories to head into the break as the Raiders led 10-9 over the Chargers.

Coming out of intermission, Briar Cliff jumps out with two wins by tech fall and decision to go up 17-10 on Northwestern. Head coach Rik Dahl's team wouldn't back down in this one as at 184lbs Pepe Sanchez goes into overtime but he wastes no time picking up the takedown and cutting into the Charger lead. "I was proud of the great stuff our guys showed us tonight," said Dahl. "They just continued to score and capitalize on positions and opportunities that were presented to them." Capitalize they did as Braeden Campbell found a pin on the edge of the mat to make it a 19-17 dual. Heavyweight would decide this dual and it's sophomore Jaxson Hildebrand who completes the comeback dual win for the Raiders with a tech fall. Northwestern wins 24-17 over Briar Cliff.

This win would be the 99th under head coach Rik Dahl making him the all-time winningest dual coach in Raider history. "It's a great honor to have been allowed the longevity to reach this incredible milestone," reflected Dahl. "I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for Coach [Paul] Bartlett and I'm humbled to be recognized next to him."

Dual Notes

99 dual wins for Coach Dahl passes the 98 win mark set by Coach Paul Bartlett back in 2006
Tonight was the Raiders' first win at Briar Cliff since 2018 and first win over the Chargers since 2022
Northwestern is now 4-1 this season and 2-1 in conference duals
Jaxson Hildebrand picked up his second win of the season and first win by tech fall

Up Next: Northwestern is back in action immediately on Saturday, January 18th at the Worthington Open in Worthington, Minnesota starting at 9:00 AM.

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Players Mentioned

Johnny Burnette: 141; 5' 7"; Junior

Braeden Campbell: 174; 6' 0"; Junior

Jaxson Hildebrand: 285; 6' 1"; Sophomore

Devin Padilla: 157; 6' 0"; Sophomore

Pepe Sanchez: 197; 5' 9"; Senior

Kane Butrick: 149; 5' 6"; Freshman

Players Mentioned

Johnny Burnette
: 5' 7"; Junior
: 141

Braeden Campbell
: 6' 0"; Junior
: 174

Jaxson Hildebrand
: 6' 1"; Sophomore
: 285

Devin Padilla
: 6' 0"; Sophomore
: 157

Pepe Sanchez
: 5' 9"; Senior
: 197

Kane Butrick
: 5' 6"; Freshman
: 149