Getting a piece of the title.

In NIU’s two meets this Saturday hosted at Eastern Michigan, the NIU wrestling team can obtain a three-way tie for the MAC title.

In order for the Huskies (13-6, 2-1 MAC) to grab a share of the title, they need to hope for a Kent State loss at Central Michigan today, then take down both Buffa to and the host Eagles.

Both Buffalo and EMU are winless in the MAC this season.

“It would be nice to get a share of the conference title for the first time since the mid-’80s,” senior 197-pound J.D. Oliva said. “There is no reason we shouldn’t win both matches; we beat both teams last year, and we are a lot better than we were last season.”

The meets against EMU (7-9) and Buffalo (8-4) also are important on an individual level.

Reigning MAC Wrestler of the Week Jeremy Benesh, fresh off a win over sixth-ranked Tyron Woodley, feels the need for some wins.

“These matches are very important for me,” Benesh said. “I haven’t won in the MAC yet this year. I’ve had three tough matches. Hopefully I can beat these two and be ranked with the fourth seed [in the MAC Championships].

With two more wins this season, the Huskies will tie the school record for wins in a season. It also would give them the most wins ever in a two-year span.

Grant has warned his squad not to overlook any opponents this season, and this meet is no different and the wrestlers understand that.

But many of them agree that NIU has no reason to lose to either of these opponents.

“We can’t take anybody lightly,” Benesh said. “I see us being 2-0 this weekend. We’re in better shape and we work harder than anyone in the MAC, and we have obviously showed that already.”