MADISON, Wis. — No. 23 Wisconsin opened the 2021-22 season at home in a much-anticipated dual match against Buffalo on Monday night. The Badgers brought home the 30-3 team victory including three major decisions and standout performances by true freshmen on the starting roster.

Major Decisions

True freshman Dean Hamiti led the way for the Badgers in the 165-pound weight class with an 18-5 major decision win over Jay Nivison. Teammates Chris Weiler and Andrew McNally both won 10-2 victories in their respective weight classes, as Weiler took down Pete Acciardi at 184 and McNally — a transfer from Kent State in his UW debut — defeated Giuseppe Hoose at 174.

Decisions

Two additional true freshmen earned decisions victories in their first-ever matches as Badgers. The 2021 Junior World Champion, Braxton Amos took down Sam Mitchell at 197 with an 8-2 decision. Classmate Joseph Zargo brought home the win in a hard-fought match at 141 against Ben Freeman with a scrappy 3-2 decision.

Returning NCAA All-American Eric Barnett opened the night for the Badgers at 125, taking down Tristan Daugherty 4-2.

Wrestling for the first time in almost three years, Austin Gomez lit up the Field House with his energy on the mat. He came out gritty, controlling the match against John Aceri at 149 and winning 9-4 to the cheers of Badgers fans.

Garrett Model fought hard in a high-scoring match at 157 against Michael Petite. The captain was able to bring home a big win, bringing down Petite 15-11.

Trent Hillger dropped the hammer against Toby Cahill in the heavyweight class, winning 11-4 to close the dual match for the Badgers.

Buffalo's lone win saw Derek Spann earn an 8-4 decision over Wisconsin's Ethan Rotondo at 133.

Next up for Wisconsin, a large contingent of the roster will travel east for the Michigan State Open on Saturday, Nov. 6. Most Badgers will be competing unattached in the competition.

Results

• 125 #11 Eric Barnett (WIS) over Tristan Daugherty (BUFF) (Dec 4-2) - 3-0
• 133 #HM Derek Spann (BUFF) over Ethan Rotondo (WIS) (Dec 8-4) - 3-3
• 141 Joseph Zargo (WIS) over Ben Freeman (BUFF) (Dec 3-2) - 6-3
• 149 #12 Austin Gomez (WIS) over John Arceri (BUFF) (Dec 9-4)- 9-3
• 157 Garrett Model (WIS) over #HM Michael Petite (BUFF) (Dec 15-11) - 12-3
• 165 Dean Hamiti (WIS) over Jay Nivison (BUFF) (MD 18-5) - 16-3
• 174 #9 Andrew McNally (WIS) over Giuseppe Hoose (BUFF) (MD 10-2) - 20-3
• 184 #18 Christopher Weiler (WIS) over Peter Acciardi (BUFF) (MD 10-2) - 24-3
• 197 Braxton Amos (WIS) over Samuel Mitchell (BUFF) (Dec 8-2) - 27-3
• 285 #6 Trent Hillger (WIS) over Tobin Cahill (BUFF) (Dec 11-4) - 30-3