Coming off a 13-2 season last year that included a first-place finish in the Mid-American Conference West, NIU wrestling is looking to be even better in the 2024-2025 season. 

EXPECTATIONS 

Expectations are high for the Huskies. NIU wrestling coach Ryan Ludwig acknowledged the team’s success but believes there’s still room to improve and new heights to reach. 

“We’ve accomplished some nice things over the years, and that’s great,” Ludwig said. “I always say a year older doesn’t mean a year better, so we have to continue to improve. And we’ve got some pretty lofty goals this year the guys have created, not only in terms of winning the MAC championship tournament, but these guys want to do some very big things at the NCAA.” 

When asked about his expectations for the season, redshirt junior Blake West said that he expects both conference and national success. 

“We’re gonna be MAC champs this year. We’re gonna send multiple guys to the national tournament. We’re gonna have multiple individual MAC champs,” West said. “Myself, I plan to be a MAC champ this year and win the NCAA tournament.”

West is currently ranked No. 1 in the MAC preseason rankings at 125 lbs. 

Redshirt sophomore Jacob Brya has similar aspirations for the season on both a personal and team basis. 

“I really want to win MACs, I think that’s definitely accomplishable for me. And I want to get back to the NCAA tournament, except I want to be All-American this year,” Brya said. “Team wise, definitely win a MAC title. We got to win an individual MAC title. We got to compete better at the tournament. And hopefully we get some NCAA qualifiers.” 

Brya is ranked No. 2 in the MAC preseason rankings at 141 pounds. 

IMPROVEMENTS

When asked about the progression over the offseason, Ludwig praised his team’s overall improvement in every aspect of wrestling. 

“Becoming more mature, getting better fundamental skills, learning match management and we’re in the value of the new scoring system,” Ludwig said. “I think our guys have been hard at work just improving every level of wrestling.” 

Brya acknowledged the steps he’s taken since last year, both physically and mentally. 

“The biggest step I’ve taken is just getting better with myself and perfecting my moves. I got a lot better on my feet,” Brya said. “I just think that I’ve improved a lot this summer both mentally and on the mat.” 

West also spoke on the work he’s done this offseason, especially improving his movement en route to upping his game this season. 

“Biggest progression is just kind of being more mobile,” West said. “Sometimes in my matches, I get a little too heavy on my feet so I’ve been working on that a lot.” 

MAC PLAY 

NIU fared well in Conference play going 7-1 last season but placed 7th in the MAC Tournament to end the year. 

Ludwig recognized winning the tournament as a goal for this year and emphasized the importance of every member of the team as they work together with that goal in mind. 

“All 35 in there right now. It takes everybody, you know, especially with guys in and out,” Ludwig said. “It takes everyone from a true freshman to redshirt to a returning senior to really push each other to be the tournament MAC champs that we want to be.” 

NIU is projected to finish 6th in the MAC as of the most recent rankings, but they hold themselves to a much higher standard as the season approaches. 

THE SEASON BEGINS 

NIU wrestling will get their season underway Saturday at the Michigan State Open in East Lansing, Michigan.