The latest InterMat Wrestling rankings have been released following the conclusion the weekend meets. Wisconsin has entered another three meet losing streak following their losses last weekend.
Iowa, Northwestern, and Nebraska are all extremely tough opponents and proved to be better than the Badgers currently. Given enough time, those close results will fall in the Badgers favor.
Wisconsin Maintains #13 Rankings Before Big Ten Dual Finale
Following one point losses to #2 Iowa and #9 Northwestern, the Badgers looked drained heading to #5 Nebraska. The Corn Huskers outclassed and out-wrestled Wisconsin which the 24-11 result proves. Nothing was working effectively for the team and the tech falls in particular were hard to watch.
However, this team is resilient and bound to bounce back before the Big Ten Championships on March 4th-5th. Minnesota and Northern Iowa will be visiting Madison in the final two dual meets of the season. Before their last conference meet, here is a look at the ranked Badgers wrestlers.
- 125 lbs: #6 Eric Barnett
- 133 lbs: #30 Taylor LaMont
- 141 lbs: #26 Joe Zargo
- 149 lbs: #2 Austin Gomez
- 157 lbs: #18 Garrett Model
- 165 lbs: #6 Dean Hamiti
- 197 lbs: #18 Braxton Amos
- 285 lbs: #11 Trent Hillger
Wisconsin Confident Ahead of Final Dual Meets
Despite not getting the results they have wanted, the Badgers can still have a fantastic season. The meet against #2 Iowa came down to point criteria. Wisconsin has lost three meets this year by one point, which is the difference between a 7-7 record, and a 10-4 record. The biggest matches are still ahead as the Badgers will begin to enter individual wrestling brackets.
Austin Gomez, Dean Hamiti, and Trent Hillger in particular are having great seasons. Each of them could make a serious run during the NCAA Championships given the competition they have faced this season. Gomez beat #1 Yianni Diakomihalis to give him only his second collegiate loss, then beat #3 Sammy Sasso in his next match. Gomez will be a name to watch towards the end of this season.
Dean Hamiti is another wrestler who has carved out a fantastic season amid the team struggles. Hamiti is currently 15-4 on the season, with three losses coming against the #1, #3, and #6 ranked opponents at 165 pounds. Hamiti has wrestled the gauntlet this year, but he has continued to be a major decision machine for the Badgers.
Trent Hillger has also faced the gauntlet at heavyweight this year. Hillger has wrestled the #1, #2, #3, #4, #7, and #9 ranked wrestlers this season and fared well against them all despite the losses. The only non-decision loss Hillger has this season is a fall against Dayton Pitzer of Pittsburgh. The biggest matches are right around the corner, and Wisconsin is sure to be ready for the challenges.
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