Seniors go out on high note with win
February 21, 2005
At 133 pounds, senior Sam Hiatt is usually one of the first wrestlers on the mat to provide an early spark for NIU.
But on Senior Day, one of NIU’s best was saved for last to put an exclamation point on Saturday’s 26-11 victory over Eastern Michigan.
The two-time All-MAC performer started with a 3-0 lead going into the final period before EMU’s Phillip Plowman came back to tie the score at three. But the DeKalb native did not disappoint the home crowd as he took the match 6-4.
“It was closer than I wanted it to be,” Hiatt said. “But I came out with a win and that’s all that matters. Now I can concentrate on defending my championships.”
No. 23 NIU (14-4 overall, 4-1 MAC) took three of the first four matches, including a 19-7 major decision by Johnny Galloway at 165 pounds. The sophomore improved his team-best record to 25-6.
Despite only managing 13 points in two previous meetings, the Eagles (6-10, 1-4) rallied with victories from each of their three top 20 wrestlers to take an 11-10 lead. But 197-pound senior Brandon Check recaptured the momentum for NIU and earned his fifth victory of the season with a 13-7 decision.
“He definitely gives this team a boost,” NIU coach Dave Grant said.
Following Check’s win, the Huskies swept the final three matches. Freshman Chad Vandiver turned in one of the fastest matches of the year with a pin of EMU’s Mike Weck 28 seconds into the first period.
After his final home victory ended the meet, Hiatt signed autographs for young fans as his teammates congratulated each other and mingled with family members.
But the celebration was noticeably subdued as the team treated the victory much like their previous 13. A MAC title and an upset of reigning champion Central Michigan in two weeks is what the Huskies are focused on now, Grant said.
“These seniors have been wrestling through the best win-loss records in school history,” Grant said. “But now we’re looking to do something we’re not supposed to do. We’re looking forward to winning a championship.”