NIU wrestling has had a complicated start to the season. There have been a lot of things to take away from their performance thus far, both good and bad.
Here are my three biggest takeaways so far this season.
BLAKE WEST IS A STAR
Huskie redshirt junior Blake West is not only one of the best wrestlers in the Mid-American Conference, but one of the best wrestlers in the country.
West is currently the No. 20 ranked 125-pound wrestler in the country – NIU’s only ranked wrestler – and sports a 15-5 record this season, winning four of his last five matches. In his last matchup against University of Ohio sophomore Ryan Meek, West earned the 90th win of his career, putting him seventh all time in wins at NIU.
West looks like an easy contender for MAC champion thus far and assuming his dominance persists, I think he could reach his pre-season goal of making and winning the NCAA tournament.
HEAVIER WEIGHT CLASSES NEED TO STEP UP
This season, there’s been a clear discrepancy in the level of productivity between NIU’s lighter weight classes versus the heavier ones.
On the season, NIU weight classes 165 pounds and above have gone 6-24 in dual meets. On the other hand, weight classes below 165 pounds have gone 15-15.
Most recently in NIU’s dual against University of Ohio, the Huskies’ lighter weights carried the load. The lighter and heavier weight classes’ records mirrored each other as NIU’s wrestlers under 157 pounds went 4-1, while NIU’s wrestlers weighing over 157 pounds went 1-4.
In order for the team to pick up wins consistently on the season, the heavier classes must step up and win their dual matchups.
CLUTCH GENE PRESENT
NIU wrestling has shown an ability to compete down the stretch of meets. All three of their wins this season have been by less than five points and two of them have come down to the final matchup of the dual.
The late-game wins include NIU’s 20-19 win over Rider University on Nov. 22 and the Huskies’ 21-20 victory over Ohio on Saturday, a team who had previously been undefeated in the MAC.
In a perfect world, NIU would avoid these tight contests, but their ability to win when the odds are against them is impressive. The Huskies’ resilience has also served important, as they have closely defeated MAC opponents.
OVERALL OUTLOOK
NIU wrestling has had an up-and-down season that has them currently at 3-3. However, sporting a 3-1 record in the MAC, the Huskies are very much in play for a conference championship.
If the team can continue to build on their strengths and patch up their weaknesses, NIU is in for a very strong finish to their 2024-2025 campaign.