NIU’s matmen will face their toughest competition so far this season at this weekend’s St. Louis open.

NIU will face such power teams as Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Missouri and Illinois at the tourney. Coach Ed Vatch said the meet is “as good or better as the tournament we were in last week.”

The Huskie effort at last week’s tournament at Eastern Michigan was hampered due to injuries.

“We’re healthier this week,” Vatch said. “We’re going to bring more guys with us this weekend.”

Anton Kossalowski will be back in the lineup this weekend at the 177-pound weight class.

Ted Anderson, Bill Bracken, Ray Espinosa, Steve Kaltofen and John Pop will see action for the first time this season for the Huskies. “These guys have not had the chance to hit for us this seasson,” Vatch said. “This weekend they should see a lot of action.

“This has been a strange year for injuries.”

Senior Tom Cocco is questionable for the weekend because of sore ribs. “We already know he’s tough, but we’re not going to risk him this early in the season,” Vatch said.

Vatch has been impressed with his freshman heavyweight Mark Kuehl. “Mark is looking so much better, 100-percent better,” Vatch said. “Look what a couple of wins does for one’s self confidence. He’s going to be a great one. He’s a real hard worker.”

Vatch is pleased with his troop’s hard work this week in practice. “Practices were good this week. They were difficult workouts but the kids worked hard and looked tough,” Batch said.

Vatch has been impressed with the commitment Tony Calderone is making towards getting down to 118 pounds for this weekend’s match. Calderone, who wrestled last week at 134 pounds, is trying to drop two weight classes for his weekend.

“Our guys are looking tough and they are carrying around good attitudes,” Vathc said. “It’s nice to see some of the injured guys back in the lineup. We are getting healthier, even if it’s at a slow pace.”

Wrestling unattached for NIU this weekend are grad assistants Nate Allison, Greg Evans, Mike Green and Doug McLister.