Card Fends Off ‘Cats

SAN LUIS OBISPO, Calif. - An upset win by Trevor Rasmussen and a sudden victory decision by Mason Pengilly propelled Stanford to a 21-15 win over No. 11 Northwestern, Monday, at Mott Gym. 

The win gave Cardinal head coach Jason Borrelli the 100th dual victory of his career as Stanford moved to 3-0 on the season. The Wildcats dropped to 1-3.

At heavyweight, Rasmussen knocked off 18th-ranked Conan Jennings, 2-0, to push the Cardinal lead to 10-0. Rasmussen's first-period takedown was the difference-maker. Rasmussen chose neutral to start the second, which had no score. Jennings chose up to begin the third and rode out Rasmussen, but was unable to put any points on the board. It was the first dual win of the season for the redshirt junior as he moves to 4-1.

Making his season debut, Pengilly turned in a 4-2 decision in sudden victory over Yahya Thomas at 141 pounds. Thomas led 2-1 after the opening period. Pengilly then rode out Thomas in the second and scored an escape in the third to knot the score at 2-2. With 10 seconds remaining in the extra frame, Pengilly secured the takedown for the win. 

True freshman Colbey Harlan started things off for the Cardinal with an 11-3 major decision over Brendan Devine at 184 pounds. Leading 4-1 after the first, Harlan registered a reversal to start the second and tacked on an additional takedown for an 8-2 advantage going into the final period. Devine earned the escape to start the final frame before Harlan scored another takedown and finished on top, accumulating 3:27 in riding time. It marked the first collegiate dual win for the rookie, who is now 9-5 on the season.

Redshirt sophomore Nathan Traxler, who is ranked 11th nationally, increased the Cardinal lead with a 6-1 decision over Zack Chakonis at 197 pounds. Traxler led 3-0 after two periods. He yielded an escape to Chakonis to start the third, but added another takedown and finished with 1:47 of riding time. Traxler is now 3-0 in duals this season and 13-3 overall. 

With the Wildcats leading 15-13, Dominick Mandarino put the Cardinal back on top with a 6-1 decision over Eric Yang at 165 pounds. The sophomore led 3-1 after riding out Yang in the second period. He quickly scored an escape to start the third and added another takedown. He finished with 4:20 of riding time to move to 11-4 on the season.

Fifth-year Rico Stormer sealed the win for Stanford with a dominating 22-6 technical fall in 6:04 over Northwestern's Braxton Cody. Stormer racked up eight takedowns and eight near fall points in the win. He moves to 3-0  in duals and 11-5 on the season.

Up next, Stanford will bring in the new year in Chattanooga, Tennessee, for the Southern Scuffle on January 1-2.
 

Stanford 21, No. 11 Northwestern 15