DeKALB | NIU wrestling tastes its first match experience Wednesday as the Huskies have wrestle-offs at 6:05 p.m. at Victor E. Court.

The Huskies return 24 of 26 letter-winners from last season’s team, including three NCAA qualifiers in seniors Johnny Galloway and Mike Grimes and junior Pat Castillo.

Galloway and Castillo are ranked nationally by Wrestling International Magazine, with Galloway ranking No. 11 at the 165-pound weight class and Castillo ranking No. 12 at 125 pounds.

Six other Huskies also received preaseason recognition. Junior 133-pound Chad Vandiver, junior 157-pound Aaron Owen, junior 174-pound Danny Burk, and senior heavyweight Joe Sapp were picked third in the MAC. Freshman 184-pound Duke Burk and freshman 197-pound Rob Panayi were picked fourth.

As a team, NIU was picked third in the MAC behind Central Michigan and Kent State.

The Huskies begin their season on Nov. 11 at the Pointer Open, hosted by Wisconsin — Stevens Point.