Four close losses to some of the nation’s elite have given the NIU wrestling team even more respect.

After a close loss to 14th-ranked Northern Iowa, 21-15, the Huskies still made their way up the charts.

NIU, which boasts a 7-5 record, climbed to 15th on the the Wrestling Mall poll.

“Since Day 1 our goal has been to move into the Top 10, and we are now a little closer to that goal,” NIU coach Dave Grant said.

Scott Owen still is ranked second in the 157-pound weight class. After losing his first match of the season against No. 1 Luke Becker of Minnesota, he has responded with an eight-match winning streak, all coming by either pin or technical fall.

Ben Heizer, NIU’s 184-pounder, is eight in the nation. He owns a 15-3 record on the season.

Freshman 141-pounder Josh Wooton is 17th in the nation. He leads the Huskies in wins with a 16-8 record.

“I think that it gives the guys a lot of confidence knowing that they are one of the top teams in the nation,” Grant said. “Any kind of momentum is positive and a lot of it these days is confidence. We have some great leaders on this team. We have six seniors in the line-up and they really want it.”