Wrestling trio find themselves in national rankings mix
Redshirt senior Brit Wilson assumes top position over Buffalo redshirt junior Pete Acciardi in Saturday’s dual against the University at Buffalo at Alumni Arena in Buffalo, New York. Wilson won the matchup by decision 5-0 to put NIU ahead 15-11 before the Huskies lost the final two matches to seal a 17-15 loss. (Paul Hokanson | UB Athletics)
DeKALB — Three NIU wrestlers are receiving national recognition as redshirt seniors Mason Kauffman, Brit Wilson and redshirt junior Izzak Olejnik are listed on InterMat’s national wrestling rankings.
“They’re doing great,” head coach Ryan Ludwig said. “They continue to be great leaders for us. Some of the best workers in the room. We’re really excited about the postseason those guys are going to have.”
Kauffman is currently 31st in Intermat’s national rankings in his weight class of 174 lbs and having another good season so far with a record of 14-7. Kauffman has been one of the most consistent wrestlers for the Huskies since transferring from Eastern Michigan University in 2019.
Kauffman’s overall record for the 2022 season stands at 14-9 as he has seemingly carried over his success from last year, where he posted a career-best record of 12-4. Last year, Kauffman was named NIU’s first-ever Elite 90 award winner and qualified for the NCAA 2021 National Tournament. He also placed fourth in the MAC Championships, where he won four of six matches and received academic all-MAC honors.
Wilson is on track to have another outstanding season with a current record of 19-3 and ranked 19th nationally at 184 pounds. Wilson has been ranked his entire tenure at NIU, with a winning percentage of 83.20% and a career record of 106-21.
Wilson repeated as the Mid-American Conference champion at 184 pounds and placed sixth in the NCAA 2021 Tournament. He was also named to the Academic All-MAC Team and earned National Wrestling Coaches Association Division I Scholar All-America honors as well as all-league honors.
Olejnik has climbed up the ranks nationally each year at NIU. In his first year as a redshirt freshman, he was ranked at #171 at 157 pounds. He jumped up to 33rd in the nation in the weight class of 165 the following year, then again to 19th. Now, Olejnik is ranked 18th in the nation and has a record of 18-4 on the season.
Olejnik placed second in the last season’s MAC championships. Olejnik is currently on an eight-match winning streak and most recently he went on a ten-match winning streak. These types of performances are what have gotten him the recognition he has earned thus far. If he can continue this trend, he will only continue to climb the national ranks.
The trio will look to continue their tremendous seasons and make a difference for the Huskies, who are back in action at noon Sunday against Northwestern University in Evanston.
