The NIU wrestling team travels to Milwaukee, Wis., tonight for a 6 p.m. match with Marquette and Wisconsin-Parkside.

Huskie head coach Ed Vatch worked his team hard in practice this week in preparation for tonight’s match. Vatch is trying to keep his troop’s intensity high.

“The way we are improving, we’re making great strides. We had an opportunity on Saturday to beat Ohio State, which was ranked ninth in the country,” Vatch said. “The key is to stay as high mentally for these guys as Ohio State. If we come out relaxed, you can bet your bottom dollar that we’re going to work out after the match.”

The key for the Huskies to defeat their opponents tonight is a solid performance from their top dog at 190 pounds, Tom Hoy.

The 6-foot-2 senior has been turning in impressive performances since being on the sidelines the better part of the season due to various injuries.

“Coach Vatch really helped me get through my problems,” Hoy said. “He told me to keep my head up and things will start to click in.”

Vatch was impressed on how Hoy overcame his physical mishaps.

“Tom came off a lot of physical problems and it really slowed him down,” Vatch said. “Tommy is showing a lot of heart to the younger kids. When things are going bad, he shows that you just have to work harder.

“Anybody that can sing the tune, ‘It Ain’t Over Till It’s Over,’ it’s Tommy Hoy.”

The 22-year-old is from Wauconda, where he attended Wauconda High School and finished fourth in the state his senior year at the 167-pound weight class.

Hoy also adds to his accomplishments a third-place finish in the nation at 178 pounds in the Greco-Roman junior world meet.

When it comes to most treasured athletic moments, Hoy lists two personal favorites.

“I would have to say, first, when I pinned this one dude from Japan in 13 seconds during a dual meet during the Greco-Roman World Meet. Then I would have to say when you’re supposed to lose to a guy going into the match and you end up beating him,” Hoy said.

As for heroes, Hoy lists four people who were important influences to him while growing up.

“I would have to say my brothers are my hereos,” Hoy said. “I have four older brothers and I’m the youngest. Everyone from back home calls me ‘Little Hoy.'”

Hoy, who is a physical education major, is interested in pursuing a career in teaching and going into coaching.

“I want to do what Vatch does,” Hoy said. “Vatch and my brothers were the only coaches I ever had. I want to be a motivator just like Coach has been a motivator to me.”

Vatch is hoping Hoy can realize his potential before regionals start.

“Tom is a very intense and physical wrestler,” Vatch said. “He is just realizing what his potential is. Tom has one area that he has to improve upon if he wants to be an All-American this season, and that’s that he’s too physical at times. If he can get a little more technical with his wrestling, he’s going to be an All-American.”

Vatch sees many sides of Hoy, whom many of the younger wrestlers look up to and respect.

“He has so many characteristics. He has an image where he’s a real fun person, where you can sit down and joke with him, and then there’s the side of him where he can change the personality of the team so fast,” Vatch said. “If Hoy gets fired up, the whole team gets fired up.

“The guys thought they were done with practice last night until I threw in another conditioning drill. Everyone was bummed out, and Tom was very vocal in motivating the guys to stop moaning and just do it.”