Wrestling suffers first MAC loss against Lock Haven

NIU wrestling redshirt senior Blake West pins Ohio University freshman Brayden Teunissen on Jan. 23 at Victor E. Court in the Convocation Center. NIU earned its first Mid-American Conference loss in a 28-8 defeat by Lock Haven University on Friday. (Northern Star File Photo)

By Eric Avila, Sports Reporter

Feb 1, 2026

NIU wrestling (7-6, 3-1 MAC) fell on the road to the Lock Haven University Bald Eagles (9-3, 2-0 MAC) Friday afternoon, losing the matchup 28-8

The Huskies opened up strong when No. 31-ranked redshirt senior Blake West defeated freshman Curtis Nelson via a 2-0 decision.

Their momentum continued at 133 pounds, with No. 28-ranked Markel Baker besting No. 31ranked graduate student Gable Strickland in a 5-1 decision.

The Huskies lost the following seven matchups after Baker’s win, putting the win out of reach.

At 157 pounds, redshirt junior Landen Johnson came close to defeating redshirt junior Nick Stampoulos but fell short, losing a 6-5 decision.

The Huskies last win came at 285 pounds when No. 20-ranked graduate student Devon Dawson defeated redshirt junior Kade Sottolano in a 4-2 decision.

This marks NIU wrestling’s first conference loss after opening conference play 3-0, bringing them to 7-6 on the season.

”We have to get back to some baseline execution in critical situations,” NIU head coach Ryan Ludwig said via NIU Athletics. “(We are) looking forward to our next competition,”

NEXT UP

The Huskies return to action at 6 p.m. Friday on the road against the University at Buffalo. The match will be streamed on ESPN+.