After posting three victories last weekend, the NIU wrestling team secured its first winning season since 1988-89.

The Huskies improved their overall record to 9-7-2 with just one dual remaining.

“This is something that I have been working on since I got here four years ago,” coach Dave Grant said. “A winning season means a lot to me and the rest of these guys.”

On Friday night, the Huskies dominated the dual meet at Edwardsville, Ill.

An undermanned Southern Illinois University posed no problem from the start, having to forfeit five of the 10 bouts. NIU dominated the five remaining matches, routing the Division III rival, 56-0.

NAIA’s top ranked Lindwood was no match for NIU, losing nine of the 10 matches. Four different Huskies pinned their opponents as NIU went on to the 40-3 victory.

Sophomore Marlon Felton gained a huge victory over LU’s Josh Buchanan, who won the St. Louis Open earlier in the season.

The Huskies returned to Division I play on Sunday against Eastern Illinois University at Chick Evans Field House.

NIU recorded its third victory of the weekend, defeating EIU 34-7.

The Huskies began the dual by winning the first seven matches and building up a 31-0 lead.

“Eastern beat us last year, so it is a good feeling to beat them,” Grant said.

Heavyweight sophomore Jon Lovrich opened the meet for the Huskies with a 6-2 decision over EIU’s Winston Taylor, while freshman Bryce Hasseman posted his third consecutive pin at the 165-pound weight class, pinning EIU’s Mike Kelly in 4:09.

“Bryce wrestled a lot of tough wrestlers early in the season, but he is now finally gaining a lot of confidence in himself,” Grant said. “He really stepped up for us this weekend.”

Fellow freshman Jamie Hey also recorded three wins for the weekend, including a 9-5 decision over Joe Gassen of EIU.

“I am really proud of the way our freshmen wrestled this weekend,” Grant said. “Jamie came up big for us a couple times.”

Senior Ryan Egan commanded the 141-pound weight class, posting two pins and a technical fall during the weekend action. Junior Scott Owen earned three victories for the weekend, improving his team leading overall record to 27-4. Owen has not lost a match since the beginning of January.

“The veterans continued to lead this team,” Grant said. “With three freshmen in the starting line-up I am really proud of the way this team wrestled.”