NIU sophomore Joe Madonia is getting his share of the spotlight this season with a national ranking and his eyes set on a shot at the national championship crown at 167 pounds.

After watching him brutalize his Northwestern opponent, Matt Case, on Sunday night, you would expect to find a guy with a ‘tough-guy’ attitude off the mat as well as on. Madonia comes across as a down-to-earth nice guy who does not make a reporter feel as if he’s doing the reporter a favor by talking.

The 5-foot-11 sophomore, who turns 21 next week, is from Niles, Ill., and attended Maine East High School.

According to Madonia, one of his most treasured athletic moments had to be his 155-pound state championship match against Scott Pierre of Wheaton Central his senior year in high school.

“I was an underdog most of my senior year, and to finish the season at the state championship, that’s what I would say I most treasure to this day,” Madonia said.

There is an incredible rivalry brewing between the sophomore grappler and Pierre, now wrestling for Purdue.

Since that state championship match, which Pierre won 8-5, Madonia lost to him once last year and once earlier this year. This past Saturday, he finished the match against the Boilermaker with a 1-1 draw.

“I pretty much beat him, but the points didn’t show it,” Madonia said. “The match was a real street fight.”

Huskie coach Ed Vatch said he believes his prized sophomore’s match with Pierre this past weekend was a big confidence booster.

“Joe eliminated a big barrier Saturday when he wrestled Pierre. Joe lost four times to him before, and the match Saturday proved that he was truly the best athlete out there,” Vatch said. “Pierre was just trying to hold Joe off.”

When it comes to looking for encouragement, Madonia looks toward his father.

“If I have any heroes, I would have to say my dad because he has encouraged me so much,” Madonia said. “When I go out there and wrestle, I always try to do my best so I can make my dad happy and pay him back for what he’s done for me.”

As for hobbies, Madonia said he does not have much time for anything else but wrestling and studying.

“It’s real tough being a student-athlete,” Madonia said. “At times you feel like giving up on books, but I know I can’t because I can’t have one without the other. That’s what I’m here for.

“It’s really tough to study on road trips because you get your mind set on the match. When you have to cut weight, you tend to get your mind off books as well. You worry about what foods you have to eat. Weight cutting makes you feel like not going to class, but you just have to get yourself to go.”

As for future goals in wrestling, Madonia would someday like to see himself representing the U.S. at the Olympics, but feels he has to accomplish some goals before trying out for the Olympics.

“I’m going to take it step-by-step,” Madonia said. “I would first like to achieve a national championship. I have to go up the ladder accomplishing my goals one at a time. You have to learn how to tread water before you swim. You can’t look too far ahead.”

Vatch believes the sophomore is capable of doing great things for NIU’s wrestling program.

“He’s starting to believe in himself. He wrestles with so much emotion out there,” Vatch said. “I’m excited to see what he’ll be able to do for us in the future.

“Joe has so much athletic potential. Every year, you’ll see so much improvement due to his God-given ability. He can throw, he’s great at single-leg take downs and he’s so quick.

“I expect to see a national championship before Joe walks out of here, and I would not be suprised to see him get one this year if he keeps believing in himself.”

Vatch has been impressed with the work ethics of Madonia and hopes that it is rubbing off on his fellow grapplers.

“Joe is a hard worker,” Vatch said. “He has such a high threshold to pain. He’s never one of the guys you always see in the training room. I’m starting to see a leadership role in Joe, and it’s going to help with a young team like ours.”

Vatch has seen a change in Madonia from his freshman to his sophomore year.

“He’s changed a lot since his freshman and sophomore year. He used to be a pretty boy, GQ type. Now he’s just Joe Madonia, who wears overalls and boots. He’s now more personal, and he’s a real good kid.”