Ten to 15 members of the NIU wrestling team are heading to the 2003 University Nationals held at Harper College in Palatine today and Saturday.

The University Nationals are open to anyone aged 18 to 24.

All-Americans Ben Heizer and Scott Owen, along with Josh Wooton, will not compete in the University National Championships because they are “taking time off.”

“This tournament is one of the better post-season tournaments after the NCAA Championships,” NIU assistant coach Jason Hayes said. “Usually this tournament has people in it that are more serious about wrestling.”

Freestyle and Greco-Roman are the two divisions in the tournament. George Kirgan is the only Huskie who will wrestle in the Greco-Roman division, which is the only division that begins Thursday.

Hayes said that Kirgan is a pretty good Greco-Roman wrestler and should do well in this tournament.

Some of the Huskies who will compete in the freestyle division are Bryce Hasseman, Zak Jensen, Seth Livingston, Joe Henning, Alex Nelson, Justin Metcalfe and Andy Hiatt.

Sam Hiatt, an NCAA Championships qualifier from last season, is undecided if he will compete.

This tournament is not mandatory for the Huskies. If they choose to wrestle, they can register at the door.

This tournament is very beneficial to the younger wrestlers as well as some of the veterans, Hayes said.

“The better competition that you see, the better the wrestler you will become,” Hayes said. “This tournament will have some national champs in some weight divisions.”