The NIU wrestling team will travel to West Lafayette, Ind., Saturday to face the Purdue Boilermakers at 11:30 a.m.

The Huskies will then face Northwestern Sunday at the Chick Evans Field House for a 7:30 p.m. match.

In honor of World Hunger Day, a one-can food donation is asked at the door for admission to the match between the Huskies and Wildcats. The event, sponsored by the Wrestlerettes, will distribute the cans of food to different church organizations to help feed the hungry.

Assistant coach Doug McClister said the emphasis in practices has been focusing on working on double-leg takedowns in preparation for this weekend’s matches.

Purdue, ranked among the top 25 teams in the country, will send its top-20-ranked, 150-pounder Pat Hoy against the Huskies’ Tim Cocco.

At 167 pounds for NIU, Joe Madonia is looking to get revenge on Purdue’s Scott Pierre, who holds a 2-0 slate against the Huskie in intercollegiate action. It does not stop there—Madonia lost to Pierre in the state finals his senior year in high school.

Looking towards Northwestern, the Wildcats will send two All-American candidates in 118-pounder Jack Griffin and 134-pounder Joey Bales, ranked ninth in the country.

The 2-7-1 Huskies are setting their sights on turning some heads at the regionals on March 5, but in the meantime NIU will have to toil with Big 10 heavyweights Purdue and Northwestern.

“The kids are gaining the experience they need,” McClister said. “When you hit the regionals, you’re 0-0, and right now we’re tuning up for the regionals.”