#21 Indiana Drops Tight One to #24 Purdue, 18-16Jan. 31, 2014

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. - Indiana and Purdue split a top-25 showdown Friday night, each winning five bouts. The #24 Boilermakers earned the team victory, however, on bonus points, topping #21 IU 18-16.

Each of Indiana's returning NCAA Qualifiers in action grabbed wins, in addition to a 10-4 decision for Eric Roach at 149 pounds.

The dual started at 157 pounds with a 5-2 decision for fourth-ranked Taylor Walsh. The redshirt junior improved to 29-3 on the season by posting a takedown, pair of near-fall tallies and the riding time point.

Ryan LeBlanc, ranked 20th nationally at 165 pounds, kept it going with another Hoosier triumph. LeBlanc's 30th `W' of the year included three takedowns and gave IU a 6-0 advantage on the team scoreboard.

Two bouts later, it was another Hoosier hand raised in victory. Luke Sheridan (184 lbs) edged Tanner Lynde, 5-3, on the strength of two first-period takedowns. Sheridan made use of the entire circle, twice notching takedowns on the edge of the mat.

The 2012-13 starter at 174 pounds, Cheney Dale, stepped up and wrestled at 197 pounds. He competed admirably in a 3-0 defeat versus #10 Braden Atwood. Trailing by a lone point entering the third period, Dale elected to get aggressive and go for the upset win by choosing a neutral start. He dove in on a shot and clutched a leg before Atwood ultimately circled around for the takedown.

Adam Chalfant then added on to Indiana's lead after a 10-minute intermission, crushing Alex White during a 13-3 major decision to push IU ahead 13-6. The Hoosier heavyweight burst out to a 7-1 edge in the opening frame, taking down and tilting White in the first 60 seconds. Chalfant continued to pile on points and moved his overall season mark to 20-2. 

Purdue subsequently made its move, seizing the next three bouts including a fall at 133 pounds for the first lead of the night.

Roach and #24 Brandon Nelsen had split a pair of previous meetings this season, setting up a rubber match of sorts. It was all Roach in this one, lifting and slamming Nelsen into the mat on numerous occasions en route to a 10-4 winner.

COMPLETE RESULTS
Indiana 16, Purdue 18
157 lbs - #4 Taylor Walsh (IU) dec. Alex Griffin (PU), 5-2; Team Score: 3-0
165 lbs - #20 Ryan LeBlanc (IU) dec. Chad Welch (PU), 7-3; TS: 6-0
174 lbs - Patrick Kissel (PU) dec. Matt Irick (IU), 7-2; TS: 6-3
184 lbs - Luke Sheridan (IU) dec. Tanner Lynde (PU), 5-3; TS: 9-3
197 lbs - #10 Braden Atwood (PU) dec. Cheney Dale (IU), 3-0; TS: 9-6
285 lbs - #4 Adam Chalfant (IU) maj. dec. Alex White (PU), 13-3; TS: 13-6
125 lbs - Camden Eppert (PU) dec. Alonzo Shepherd (IU), 9-3; TS: 13-9
133 lbs - #15 Cashe Quiroga (PU) pins Chris Caton (IU), 5:54; TS: 13-15
141 lbs - #22 Danny Sabatello (PU) dec. Trevor Moody (IU), 6-4; TS: 13-18
149 lbs - Eric Roach (IU) dec. #24 Brandon Nelsen (PU), 10-4; TS: 16-18

Indiana heads to Minneapolis on Sunday for an early afternoon dual with the #2 Golden Gophers starting at 1 pm ET/noon CT.

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Kyle Kuhlman
Indiana University Athletics
Assistant Director of Media Relations
(Baseball, Secondary Football, Wrestling)
OFFICE: 812-855-4770
CELL: 419-308-8292