Traveling seems to be what the NIU wrestling team has been doing most of this season.

The Huskies have found themselves packing their bags for 14 of their first 15 matches.

NIU’s last, and only home meet, was when Northwestern University invaded Chick Evans Field House on Dec. 5. And the road woes will continue for the 2-13 Huskies this weekend when they travel to Columbia, Mo., to wrestle the University of Missouri and Indiana University.

The good news is that it will be the last time the NIU wrestling team will have to leave DeKalb for a wrestling weekend. The bad news is NIU is pitted against two formidable opponents.

“This weekend will be a building block for our wrestlers for the end of the season,” head coach Ed Vatch said. “We’ll be wrestling two top teams from the Big Eight and Big Ten. And it doesn’t make it any easier when you know going into both matches we’ll be giving up 12 points due to forfeits.”

NIU will have to forfeit at the 142-pound class and at heavyweight.

After this weekend’s action, the Huskies host Illinois State (Feb. 26) and Central Michigan (Feb. 28) to wrap up regular-season action.

Then, ironically, it’s back on the road for individual competition in the NCAA West Regional Championships at Cedar Falls, Iowa. (March 7).