NIU wrestling compiled a regular season record of 9-7, finishing with a 4-2 record in the Mid-American Conference and earning second place in the MAC West Division.
As the Huskies enter the postseason, here are three wrestlers who will be crucial to NIU’s success at the MAC Championship and beyond.
TOP DAWGS
The Huskies finished the regular season with three ranked wrestlers, including No.21 Blake West at 125 pounds, No.16 Markel Baker at 133 pounds and No.24 Devon Dawson at 285 pounds.
No. 30 BLAKE WEST
West finished the season on a seven-match winning streak, and boasted an impressive regular season record of 17-5. West is also a two-time NCAA qualifier and the defending MAC champion at 125-pounds.
With his win against Southern Illinois University Edwardsville on Friday, West is now tied for most career wins at NIU with 116.
Looking to go back-to-back and end his MAC collegiate career on a high note, West is going to play a big role in securing a title for the Huskies. I believe that if he can perform in the postseason as he has throughout his career, there’s no question West will take another MAC title and earn a third consecutive NCAA tournament berth
No. 25 MARKEL BAKER
Baker finished the season on a 12-match winning streak, finishing the regular season with a 23-4 record.
Dating back to last season, Baker is undefeated in MAC competition, and took fourth at the MAC championship at 133 pounds.
With two straight undefeated seasons against MAC competition, Baker is poised to place well in the tournament and earn his first piece of hardware with the Huskies since coming in as a transfer from George Mason University in 2023.
Baker holds a career record of 73-27, qualifying himself as one of the best 133 pound wrestlers in the nation.
No. 22 DEVON DAWSON
Dawson finished the regular season going undefeated in duals with 15 wins, and a 27-5 overall record.
In his first year of competition with NIU, after sitting out the 2024-2025 season, Dawson cemented himself as a crucial member of the Huskies’ lineup.
Ranked the No. 1 wrestler in the MAC at 285 pounds, Dawson is not only the best in the conference, but one of the best in the NCAA.
BUILDING ON TEAM SUCCESS
The Huskies are coming into the Mid-American Conference Championships with one defending champion, West at 125-pounds.
NIU is also looking to extend its 54-year streak of sending wrestlers to the NCAA Championship, a streak that began in 1972, and was continued by West and redshirt sophomore Landen Johnson in 2025.
UP NEXT
The Huskies will travel to Buffalo, New York, to compete in the MAC Championship beginning on March 6.
