The Huskies had two wrestlers compete at the NCAA Championships over the weekend, including Markel Baker at 133 pounds and Devon Dawson at 285 pounds.
MARKEL BAKER
Baker kicked the tournament off with a victory in the first round over Rider University graduate student Will Betancourt, defeating him in an 8-1 decision.
In the second round, Baker went up against University of Northern Colorado senior Dominic Serrano, defeating him via sudden victory-1 by a score of 8-5.
Baker then went up against eventual 133-pound champion, Oklahoma State freshman Jax Forrest in the quarter final. He lost via technical fall 2:38 into the match, 18-3.
In the consolation round, Baker fell again to Nebraska junior Jacob Van Dee in a 2-1 decision.
He finished the tournament with a 2-2 record and an overall record of 28-6 on the season.
DEVON DAWSON
Dawson opened up his tournament with a victory over Califronia Polytechnic State University graduate student Trevor Tinker via decision 7-4.
In the second championship round, Dawson fell to Rutgers graduate student Hunter Catka in a 2-1 tie-breaker.
Dawson then went up against Wisconsin redshirt junior Braxton Amos in the second consolation round, losing in an 11-1 majority decision.
He finished the tournament with a 1-2 record and the season with an overall record of 32-7.
HEADS HELD HIGH
“We are proud of the way Markel and Devon represent the program. They embody the spirit of this program in the way they live and compete,” NIU head coach Ryan Ludwig said via NIU Athletics.
