After years of decimation by the New York Yankees in the postseason, faithful 1950s-era Brooklyn Dodgers fans coined the phrase “Wait ‘till next year.”

But even after another second-place finish to the Yankees-esque Central Michigan Chippewas, the NIU wrestling team proved that “next year” will be more than just talk.

The Yankees-Dodgers analogy is quite appropriate for the CMU-NIU rivalry. Before the Dodgers won their first World Series in 1955, the Yankees had captured 16 titles, five of which came against the Dodgers in the previous decade.

Fast forward 50 years and the parallels are astounding. NIU has finished second in the MAC for the last four years while CMU has won seven of the last eight conference titles.

But the Chippewas’ stranglehold on the MAC appears to be loosening. The biggest reason for optimism is NIU’s young squad.

While the youth aspect of the team has been beaten into the ground this season, the fact is the Huskies are still improving.

Throughout this season, NIU was starting eight underclassmen in their 10-man lineup. The newest impact wrestler for the Huskies came in the form of sophomore transfer Johnny Galloway.

As a three-time Iowa state champion, the 165-pound Galloway backed up his impressive resume by leading the team with a 28-8 record and eight pins. A second-place finish at this year’s MAC Championships makes Galloway the favorite in his class for next year.

Freshman Derek Hunsinger was poised for a breakout season at 197 pounds with a 15-9 record and three pins. But a broken orbital bone against Ohio ended his season prematurely. Hunsinger still managed to finish the match and pick up a victory, and he is certain to be motivated to return fully healthy next season.

Freshmen Chad Vandiver also emerged from a deep 125-pound class to compile a 21-11 record. His quickness on the mat was most clearly demonstrated by his pin of Eastern Michigan’s Mike Weck only 28 seconds into the match.

Leading the Huskies next year will be two-time NCAA qualifier Josh Wooton. The senior Ohio-native switched from 149 to 141 pounds but still went undefeated in the MAC en route to a regular-season title.

The biggest surprise of the season had to be the second-half resurgence of sophomore Mike Grimes. The former walk-on won Wooton’s starting spot at 149 pounds at the beginning of the season and put together a 22-13 record. But Grimes picked up his game in the postseason, placing second at the MAC Championships and adding two victories at the NCAAs in St. Louis.

The second factor to the Huskies success next season is graduation.

NIU will miss two-time MAC champion Sam Hiatt and his 110 career wins for next year. But Central Michigan will be much more hurt by departing seniors.

All-American performers David Bolyard, Mitch Hancock and Bill Stouffer are joined by Alex Lammers and Russ Vanderheyden in their departure from Mount Pleasant. The five starters combined for a 142-34 record last year -a mark the Chippewas will be hard pressed to replace.

Half a century ago, the Dodgers triumphed over the hated Yankees in seven games and their fans triumphantly declared “This year is next year!” In March 2006, Huskies wrestling has a good chance of making the same rallying cry.