The majority of the NIU wrestling team was busy over the weekend at the University Nationals at Harper College in Palatine, Ill.

George Kirgan, who wrestled in the 174-pound class last season, was the only Huskie who participated in both the Greco-Roman and freestyle divisions.

Coach Jason Hayes was right when he predicted Kirgan would do well in the Greco-Roman division as Kirgan took seventh out of nearly two dozen wrestlers in the 84 kilogram division.

Not yet finished in the tournament, Kirgan also went to the freestyle division and was one of four Huskies to get a win in the winners bracket.

Justin Metcalfe, Alex Nelson and Bryce Hasseman were the other three Huskies who advanced.

Hasseman, who redshirted last season, went the farthest in the freestyle division. He lost in the winner’s bracket to the Marines’ Jake Clark, who took second in the freestyle and won his division in the Greco-Roman. Hasseman lost to Paul Velekei in the fourth round of the consolation bracket.

“I was in good shape,” Hasseman said. “In the last match I just got lazy. I took him down five times, but I just didn’t do well with my defense.”

Hasseman also is going to be busy this week along with assistant coach Raphael Davis. The two are leaving on Tuesday to fly out to Las Vegas to compete in a national tournament.

Not only have the wrestlers been busy, so has the coaching staff in signing recruits.

The recruits signed so far are: Kalen Knull (Ohio), Aaron Owen (New Mexico), John Giuliani (DeKalb), Pat Castillo (La Grange, Ill.), Zach Berman (New Lenox, Ill.), Tyler Bruesewitz (Elmhurst, Ill.) and Derek Hunsinger (El Paso, Ill.).

Hasseman said that the team has learned that 119-pound Gralan Early from Fort Wayne Northside, Ind., is also heading to NIU. He was ranked as the No. 2 senior in all the weight classes in Indiana according to the Intermatwrestle.com Web site.