Wrestling wraps up regular season, defeats Cougars

By Andy Inboden, Sports Reporter

February 23, 2025

NIU wrestling redshirt junior Blake West battles University at Buffalo sophomore Max Elton in the meet on Feb. 7. The Huskies finished the regular season with a 7-3 (6-1 MAC) record after defeating Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 19-12 on Saturday. (Marco Alvarez | Northern Star)

NIU wrestling (7-3, 6-1 MAC) earned a 19-12 win over the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Cougars (7-8, 4-3 MAC) on Saturday night at First Community Arena in Edwardsville, Illinois.

The Huskies started at 125 pounds, when nationally ranked redshirt junior Blake West secured a 3-0 decision over SIUE freshman Drew Davis, finishing the regular season undefeated in MAC duals.

NIU extended its lead at 133 pounds when redshirt sophomore Markel Baker earned a close 3-2 decision against Cougars redshirt sophomore Marcel Lopez.

At 141 pounds, NIU redshirt sophomore Jacob Brya controlled the match, winning a 14-0 major decision over SIUE freshman Porter Matecki.

Redshirt sophomore Collin Arch added to NIU’s success at 149 pounds with a 5-0 decision over SIUE redshirt sophomore Alec Peralta.

NIU redshirt sophomore Landen Johnson was defeated by Cougars redshirt sophomore Eric Almarinez, who earned a 10-5 decision at 157 pounds.

The Huskies bounced back at 165 pounds with redshirt freshman Brett Smith securing a sudden victory over SIUE redshirt sophomore Bradley Gillum, 4-1.

At 174 pounds, NIU redshirt sophomore Tommy Bennett came away with an 8-5 decision over SIUE senior Luke Odom.

NIU freshman Damarion Ross was defeated by SIUE redshirt junior Deron Pulliam, who earned a 9-3 decision at 184 pounds.

NIU sophomore Sean Carroll was defeated by SIUE sophomore Nick Nosler at 197 pounds, with Nosler securing a 4-1 decision.

At 285 pounds, NIU redshirt junior Jacob Christensen was defeated by SIUE redshirt sophomore Bryson Buhk, who won in a 4-1 sudden victory.

“The guys have had a solid regular season, and it was good to close it out with a team win,” said NIU wrestling head coach Ryan Ludwig. “We have our sights set on the postseason and the opportunities that lie ahead at the MAC Championships. We will get right back to work so we can be at our best heading in.”

UP NEXT

NIU wrestling returns to action at the MAC Championships, where they will look to build on their regular season success. The tournament begins March 7, with matches streamed live on ESPN+.