The NIU wrestling team will see its first action of the season Saturday and Sunday at the Michigan State Open.

This tournament doesn’t affect the team’s record because it only will include individual competition. The records, however, will count for the individual competitors.

NIU has a young team, but it also is one of the most talented teams NIU ever has had, assistant coach Jason Hayes said.

The Huskies’ first team meet is Nov. 30 at Wisconsin. The Badgers are ranked 25th in the country, according to wrestlingmall.com.

The high and mighty

Senior 184-pound wrestler Ben Heizer has the highest preseason ranking in NIU history.

Heizer, who was an All-American last year, is ranked No. 2 behind Jake Rosholt of Oklahoma State University.

Heizer isn’t the only Huskie to be recognized, though.

Sophomore Josh Wooton, a 149-pounder, is ranked 16th in the country. He wrestled at 141 pounds last season and went on to the NCAA Championships.

Junior Sam Hiatt is ranked No. 15 in the 133-pound weight class. Hiatt also went on to the NCAA Championships last season.

Getting respect from last year

The NIU team is ranked No. 24 in the country, according to the wrestlingmall.com.

The Huskies, picked third in the MAC behind Central Michigan and Ohio, are one of two teams from the MAC to be ranked in the top 25. CMU is ranked No. 17.

Last year, the Huskies didn’t start the season ranked, but reached No. 16 before the season was over.

The Huskies finished 22nd at the NCAA Championships last year, with a school-record 26.5 points.