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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star
The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star
The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

Gallery: Wrestling finishes regular season with SIUE loss

NIU Wrestling lost 15-16 to SIUE on Friday during the Beauty and the Beast and Senior Night meet.
Jayce Pendergrass
NIU wrestling graduate student Devon Dawson attempts to takedown Southern Illinois University redshirt junior Bryson Buhk during the Beauty and the Beast meet’s 285-pound match on Friday in the Convocation Center. NIU wrestling will join the Pac-12 conference next season. (Jayce Pendergrass | Northern Star)
By Eric McGill, Aidan Penca and Jayce Pendergrass
Feb 23, 2026
The NIU wrestling team runs out for the Beauty and the Beast meet against Southern Illinois University Edwardsville on Friday inside the Convocation Center. The Huskies lost the meet in a tie-breaking match to the Cougars. (Eric McGill | Northern Star) (Eric McGill)
NIU wrestling redshirt senior Blake West celebrates toward the crowd after winning his final home wrestling match during senior night on Friday against Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Drew Davis. NIU wrestling will return on March 6 and 7 at the Mid-American Conference Championship, being hosted by University at Buffalo. (Jayce Pendergrass | Northern Star) (Jayce Pendergrass)
NIU wrestling redshirt junior Markel Baker takes on Southern Illinois University Edwardsville redshirt junior Marcel Lopez during the Beauty and the Beast meet on Friday inside the Convocation Center. Baker defeated Lopez with a 4-2 decision. (Eric McGill | Northern Star) (Eric McGill)
NIU wrestling redshirt freshman Charles Curtis holds down Southern Illinois University Edwardsville graduate student Ben Lunn during the Beauty and the Beast meet on Friday inside the Convocation Center. The NCAA Championships will take place from March 19 to March 21 at Cleveland, Ohio. (Eric McGill | Northern Star) (Eric McGill)
NIU wrestling redshirt sophomore Collin Arch is declared the winner of the 149 pound match against Southern Illinois University during the Beauty and the Beast meet on Friday inside the Convocation Center. Arch defeated SIUE freshman Donavon Allen by decision, 7-3. (Eric McGill | Northern Star) (Eric McGill)
NIU wrestling redshirt junior Landen Johnson drags Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Hayden Whidden further inbounds Friday in the Convocation Center. Johnson fell to Whidden 3-1. (Jayce Pendergrass | Northern Star) (Jayce Pendergrass)
NIU wrestling redshirt junior Landen Johnson flips Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville junior Hayden Whidden while wrestling the 157-pound match on Friday in the Convocation Center. NIU lost against SIUE 16-15. (Aidan Penca | Northern Start) (Aidan Penca)
NIU wrestling head coach Ryan Ludwig cheers on the Huskies during the Beauty and the Beast meet on Friday inside the Convocation Center. The Huskies finished second in the Mid-American Conference this season, with a record 4-2 in conference play. (Eric McGill | Northern Star) (Eric McGill)
NIU wrestling redshirt junior Tommy Bennett secures the takedown in overtime on Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Dominic Lopez on Friday. With the takedown, Bennett secured the overtime in SV-1 by 4-1. (Jayce Pendergrass | Northern Star) (Jayce Pendergrass)
NIU wrestling redshirt freshman Dominic Heim pretends to shoot on Southern Illinois University Edwardsville redshirt sophomore Nick Nosler while wrestling the 197 pound match on Friday in the Convocation Center. NIU’s overall record falls to 9-7 after their loss against SIUE. (Aidan Penca | Northern Star) (Aidan Penca)
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About the Contributors
Eric McGill
Eric McGill, Photo Editor
Eric McGill is a junior from Demorest, Georgia, majoring in marketing in the College of Business. He joined the Northern Star as a photojournalist in spring 2026. In his free time, Eric enjoys sports, gaming and playing with his two cats, Bucket and Corndog.
Aidan Penca, Assistant Photo Editor
Aidan Penca is a sophomore from Fulton, Illinois, majoring in electrical engineering. Outside of the Star, he enjoys playing his electric guitar, writing and listening to rock and indie music.
Jayce Pendergrass, Photojournalist
More to Discover
More about NIU Wrestling
A graphic depicts various NIU athletes and coaches side by side. Sports Editor Kalin Schaefer breaks down three high points and three low points from NIU athletics in March. (Edison Miller | Northern Star)
SCHAEFER: Highs and lows of NIU Athletics in March
NIU wrestling graduate student Devon Dawson celebrates with teammates during the Huskies’ dual against Central Michigan University on Jan. 16. Dawson and redshirt junior Markel Baker competed at the NCAA Championships beginning on Friday. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)
Wrestling ends season at NCAA Championships
NIU wrestling redshirt junior Markel Baker takes on Southern Illinois University Edwardsville redshirt junior Marcel Lopez during the Beauty and the Beast meet on Feb. 20. Baker won the Mid-American Conference title at 133 pounds at the MAC Championship on Saturday. (Northern Star file photo)
Wrestling wins MAC titles at 133, 285

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