Lineup changes are in store for the NIU wrestling team, as the Huskies try to garner their first team win of the season at 4 p.m. today.

Northwestern hosts No. 23 NIU (0-1) in its first dual meet of the season at Patten Gym in Evanston.

Two NIU starters will make their season debuts against the Wildcats.

Senior George Kirgan sustained a knee injury in Sunday’s loss to No. 13 Wisconsin and will not start at 184 pounds. Freshman Tyler Bruesewitz, who finished seventh at the Michigan State Open, will fill Kirgan’s spot.

Junior Josh Wooton also has reclaimed a position in the Huskies lineup.

After qualifying for last year’s NCAA championships and finishing the season ranked No. 19 in the nation at 149 pounds, Wooton lost his starting position to sophomore Mike Grimes at the beginning of this season.

Wooton dropped weight and defeated sophomore Andy Hiatt in practice this week to take the 141-pound weight class start.

Despite a 27-12 win over Northwestern at the 2003 Northern Illinois Duals, NIU coach Dave Grant is not taking his opposition lightly.

“Their team is much improved over last year,” Grant said. “They’ve had a few No. 1 recruits, but our guys expect a lot of themselves. We’ve been doing two-a-days and training hard for a victory.”

Northwestern returns four wrestlers from last year’s NCAAs, including 157-pound senior Mike Kimberlin.

“They’re all capable wrestlers,” Grant said. “It’s going to be a fight to the finish in all 10 weight classes, top to bottom.”