NIU’s matmen take on fifth-rated Northern Iowa at Cedar Falls, Iowa, tonight at 7:30 and face Central Michigan at Blue Island’s Eisenhower high school Saturday at 7:30 p.m.

UNI’s starting lineup is overflowing with talent that includes number-one ranked, 118-pounder Mark Schwab (12-0-2) and number-three ranked, 126-pounder Mike Schwab (24-4-0) who eliminated Tino Gonzalez from the first round of the National Championship tournament last season.

UNI also has third-ranked, 142-pounder Kurt Shedenhelm (24-0-2) and 13th-ranked, 150-pounder Pat Hogan (12-8-0) who goes up against the Huskies’ top 150-pounder Tim Cocco (15-7-1).

At 158 pounds for UNI is 11th-ranked Chris Lembeck (17-2-1).

NIU’s Joe Madonia (13-8-1), rated 20th in the country at 167 pounds, faces 13th ranked Keith Massey (14-9-0).

NIU coach Ed Vatch is impressed with his 167-pounder. “By the time Madonia graduates from here, he’ll be an All-American,” Vatch said. “Madonia wrestled up a weight class at the Illinois State meet and was winning 5-3 with :20 seconds left in the match, and he was taken down to finish with a tie.

“When he walked off the mat, he found out the kid was ranked sixth in the nation at 177 pounds. That was a tremendous confidence booster.”

NIU’s heavyweight, Mark Kuehl (18-11-1), faces number-two rated heavyweight for UNI, Joel Greenlee (19-3-2).

“After this match on Friday, Mark would have faced the number-one and number-two rated heavyweight wrestlers in the country this season,” Vatch said.

Coach Vatch is enthusiastic about his team showing tremendous intensity in practice this week.

“We are wrestling for pride at this point, and our pride is incredibly strong,” Vatch said.

“This was the toughest schedule NIU’s wrestling team has faced in the history of the school. We have four, maybe five guys who might win twenty matches for us this year, and that’s a strong accomplishment.”

Vatch would not comment on this past week’s suspensions of a couple of wrestlers due to his belief that it is a team matter only.

Vatch was very happy to see that six of his wrestlers finished last semester with over a three point average.

“I run a study table for the kids so I can make sure the kids are doing their school work,” Vatch said. “Any kid that has under a 2.5 grade point average will have to attend the study table the next semester. I stress to the kids the importance of getting an education.”