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#17 Boilers Hammer Spartans in Big Ten Home Opener#17 Boilers Hammer Spartans in Big Ten Home Opener

#17 Boilers Hammer Spartans in Big Ten Home Opener

Purdue took seven of 10 matches in the annual Hammer Down Cancer dual.

Hammer Down Cancer Singlet Auction Opens in a new window Results Opens in a new window
by Brook Weber

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — The Boilermaker wrestling team overpowered Michigan State in a 27-9 win to open Purdue’s Big Ten Conference home slate on Friday night.

Purdue (9-3, 2-2 B1G) took seven of 10 matches in Holloway Gymnasium, overcoming an early 9-4 deficit to win six straight and run away with the dual.

The Boilermakers outscored the Spartans (3-5, 0-3 B1G) 101-38 in match points and 20-3 in takedowns.

The Boilers wore their Nike Volt-colored Hammer Down Cancer singlets to raise money and awareness for cancer research. The match-worn uniforms are up for auction, and all proceeds will benefit the Purdue Institute for Cancer Research.

The online auction will remain open until Sunday at 11:59 p.m. ET. To bid on a singlet or to donate to the cause, click here.

RESULTS

184 | #29 James Rowley def. Luke Vanadia – MD 17-4 | PUR 4-0
197 | #27 Kael Wisler def. #20 Ben Vanadia – Dec. 9-8 | PUR 4-3
285 | Josh Terrill def. Hayden Filipovich – Dec. 2-1 | MSU 6-4
125 | Nick Corday def. Ashton Jackson – Dec. 7-0 (SV-1) | MSU 9-4
133 | Blake Boarman def. Caleb Weiand – Dec. 5-0 | MSU 9-7
141 | Greyson Clark def. Sean Larkin – TF 15-0 (5:46) | PUR 12-9
149 | Gavin Brown def. Clayton Jones – Dec. 15-8 | PUR 15-9
157 | #24 Stoney Buell def. Darius Marines – Dec. 5-0 | PUR 18-9
165 | #4 Joey Blaze def. Jack Conley – TF 19-3 (3:21) | PUR 23-9
174 | #17 Brody Baumann def. Connor O’Neill – MD 16-5 | PUR 27-9

RECAP

Michigan State won the pre-dual coin flip and chose to start at 184 pounds, pitting No. 29 James Rowley against Luke Vanadia, the younger brother of Purdue starter Ben Vanadia.

Rowley went to work early, scoring two first-period takedowns and dictated the pace throughout. He ended with four takedowns and his team-high seventh reversal of the season, winning a 16-7 major decision.

The Boilermakers suffered losses at 197, 285 and 125 to find themselves in a 9-4 hole with one match to go before intermission. But Blake Boarman (133) snatched the momentum back, picking up his first Big Ten home win via 5-0 decision over Caleb Weiand.

Purdue went on to sweep the final five matches after the break, beginning with a 15-0 (5:46) statement technical fall by Greyson Clark (141) returning from injury. It was the junior’s first match in three weeks, and he looked anything but rusty.

Gavin Brown (149) nearly picked up bonus points with a 15-8 decision over Clayton Jones. Brown scored first takedown before Jones reversed and turned him for a four-point near-fall. But Brown battled back in the second frame, starting on top and recording three four-point near-falls to take the lead for good.

No. 24 Stoney Buell (157) grinded out a 5-0 decision against Darius Marines to put the dual nearly out of reach, building Purdue’s lead to 18-9. It was Buell’s third shutout of the season and 10th of his career.

No. 4 Joey Blaze (165) also made his return to the lineup and looked every bit as dominant as ever. The reigning national finalist scored five takedowns and a four-point near-fall to secure his sixth technical fall of the season, winning 19-3 (3:21).

Blaze, now 14-0, has a 47-0 takedown margin and 24-0 back point margin on the year.

No. 17 Brody Baumann (174) put a bow on the night with a 16-5 major decision. He used injury time to nurse what looked like a precarious leg injury, but he toughed out the match and finished strong, notching four takedowns, a reversal and a two-point turn.

UP NEXT

The Boilers will host Wisconsin next Sunday, Feb. 1, inside Mackey Arena at 1 p.m. ET. An annual tradition known as “Mackey Mania”, Purdue Wresling is set to take over the iconic home of Boilermaker Basketball and bring the mat to Keady Court.

Purdue fans turned out 3,504 strong for last year’s Mackey dual. Admission is once again free to all fans and students, but free tickets must be claimed online. Secure your spots here.