Sports Reporter

While many students were home working for holiday cash, the young NIU wrestling team gained some much-needed experience.

The team’s first test was just after Christmas at the Midlands Wrestling Championships on Dec. 29 and 30. Captains Ryan Egan, a senior, and junior Scott Owen, along with sophomore Bill Lowney, led the team into making the second day of wrestlebacks, or consolation matches.

Egan went 3-1 on Friday, but a loss in his second match to Minnesota’s Trent Hatleria threw him into the wrestleback bracket. He started Saturday off well, earning a victory over Lassen College’s Oliver Vasquez, 8-5, but he lost his next match to Derek Phillips of Central Michigan to end his weekend.

Owen had the difficult task of opening the tournament in the 157-pound bracket against No. 9 seed Nathan Vazquez of Fresno State. Although the match remained close, Owen lost 5-4, dropping him into wrestlebacks. He then rattled off four straight victories to close out Friday, the most impressive win being a major decision over Ohio State’s Josh Janson, 12-5. On Saturday, Eric Jorgensen of Ohio State ended Owen’s winning streak with a 6-2 decision.

Lowney started off at the No. 6 seed in the 174-pound weight class, defeating Craig Melcher of Penn 7-2 in his first match. But he had more trouble with Mid-American Conference opponent Michael Fenney of Eastern Michigan, losing 3-2. Lowney ended Friday by winning his next two matches to make it into Saturday.

On Saturday, he was eliminated by Ohio State’s Ryan Hieber.

“We are starting three freshman, and they faced some of the top wrestlers in the nation,” said coach Dave Grant. “I think they gained some valuable experience going into MAC meets.”

The Huskies faced their hardest challenge of the season at the Lone Star Duals on Jan. 9. No. 16 Fresno State, No. 9 Nebraska and Central Oklahoma — ranked second in Division II — all proved too much for the young grapplers. But the day was not a complete loss as the team won against Brown.

Senior David Potter returned to action for the Huskies and posted three wins for the dual. This was his first meet after battling a bout of mononucleosis.

“We are happy to have Dave back in the lineup because of his wrestling ability, but more for the leadership he provides,” Grant said.

Owen and Egan each had three wins for the meet. Owen gained some payback as he defeated FSU’s Vasquez 10-9 after losing to him at Midlands. Owens now owns the best record on the team at 18-4.

Lowney continued his successful break with another three wins at the dual.

“I am happy with the way the veterans wrestled,” Grant said. “Owen is ranked 13th, Egan 15th and Potter 20th in the nation. Also, Lovrich is in the top 30, and Lowney is an honorable mention. I cannot remember the last time we had five wrestlers ranked so well.”