After losing seven seniors to graduation, the NIU wrestling team responded with one of its finest recruiting classes ever.

The Intermatwrestle.com Web site ranked the Huskies’ new arrivals as the 17th-best recruiting class in the country. NIU was the only team to represent the MAC in the Top 20.

The coaching staff is really excited about the incoming class, but after losing seven seniors, the younger guys are going to have step up.

“A recruiting class like this means that we are taking steps in the right direction,” assistant coach Raphael Davis said. “We finished 22nd last year, and hopefully we can all come together. We’re going to be a young team next year.”

Not going to be back

Along with the seven seniors from last year not being on the team, two more familiar faces will not be seen next year.

Jeremy Benesh, who wrestled at 165 pounds last season, and Bryce Hasseman, who redshirted last year and would likely have wrestled at 174 pounds this season, are not going to be enrolled at the university in the fall.

Benesh is going to be working for his father’s company while Hasseman told coaches he probably is not going to be back. Hasseman is looking to transfer, possibly to Bloomsburg, according to Davis.

Sticking around

Two-time NCAA All-American Scott Owen is going to be with the team as an assistant coach this upcoming season.

He thinks he will bring an overall good attitude to the table.

“Everyone on this team is a winner,” Owen said. “What I am going to try to do is bring a certain attitude to help these guys accomplish their goals.”

The New Mexico native will not be on salary.

Staying ranked

The preseason rankings are out for all the weight divisions on Intermatwrestle.com.

Ben Heizer, 184 pounds, was an All-American last season and is ranked as the No. 3 wrestler.

Josh Wooton, who will wrestle at 149 pounds next year, is ranked at No. 13 in the 141-pound weight class. Wooton made it to the NCAA Championships as a freshman last year. Tony Witt or Andy Hiatt will wrestle at 141 pounds next year.

Sam Hiatt, 133 pounds, Seth Livingston, heavyweight, and Jeremy Besnesh also were listed just outside the Top 20.

The posted rankings weren’t agreed upon by all the Huskie wrestlers.

“I improved a lot last year,” Sam Hiatt said. “I’ve beaten three or four of the guys that made the Top 20 list. I think that I should have been ranked higher in the preseason poll.”

Going for the gold?

Former NIU wrestler T.C. Dantzler qualified for the 2003 U.S. World Team after he won the 74 kg weight class at the World Team Trials.

Also making the team was former assistant coach Kevin Bracken, who helped coach Dave Grant from 1997-1999.

“It’s a great honor to have a former wrestler and coach make the World Team,” Grant said. “It shows our guys that all the hard work that they are putting in can pay off, and just like T.C. and Kevin, they can go on with the aspirations of making the Olympic team.”