In a tournament featuring more than 400 wrestlers, five Huskies finished in the top four at this weekend’s Michigan State Open.

NIU senior Sam Hiatt was joined by four underclassmen who placed in the top four of their respective weight classes over the weekend. Only host Michigan State and MAC co-favorite Central Michigan placed more wrestlers than NIU.

“It was a pretty good showing overall,” NIU coach Dave Grant said. “These tournaments give us an opportunity to see what we need to work on, and I think we need to get better on defense. We haven’t worked on that much this year yet.”

Hiatt faced freshman teammate Pat Castillo in the third-place match at 133 pounds but elected not to wrestle because he received an invitation in today’s National Wrestling Coaches Association All-Star meet in St. Louis. Castillo was given the win by default of Hiatt not participating.

Freshman Chad Vandiver took fourth place at 125 pounds, and fellow first-year wrestler Derek Hunsinger also took fourth at 197 pounds.

Sophomore Johnny Galloway reached the semifinal of the 164-pound division but lost in a technical fall to NIU alumnus and current assistant coach Scott Owen, who took first place. Galloway won the third-place match with a pin of MSU’s Justin Mora.

The Huskies start their regular season schedule Sunday with a home match vs. No. 12-ranked Wisconsin.

“We’re looking forward to the challenge,” Grant said. “We need to face good teams during the season so we can get our guys ready to wrestle in the NCAAs when it matters.”

Senior co-captain George Kirgan will participate in the 2004 Marines All-Star Classic at 7 p.m. today at Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville.

Kirgan will face Kiel Geise of Missouri Valley College at 174 pounds. The annual showcase features seven NCAA champions and four NCAA runner-ups in the competition.