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Northern Star

Northern Illinois University’s student media since 1899

 

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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

Redshirt sophomore Blake West attempts to pin Southern Illinois University Edwardsville redshirt sophomore Davian Guanajuato on Friday's Senior Day event for NIU wrestling. West defeated Guanajuato 4-3 on Friday to finish the season undefeated in dual matchups. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Return of the MAC: Wrestling champions the West

By Zack Rodriguez, Former Sports Reporter | February 24, 2024

DeKALB – Redshirt sophomore Jacobi Jackson pinned his opponent with seconds remaining in the first period as NIU Wrestling (13-2, 7-1 MAC) fended off Southern Illinois University Edwardsville (6-6, 3-4 MAC) 22-13 to clinch the MAC West at Victor E....

Then NIU junior catcher Colin Summerhill (8) slides into third base after hitting a triple on April 28, 2023 against University of Akron. Summerhill had 2 hits, 2 runs and 3 RBIs in a 14-4 win over Northwestern State University Friday. (Northern Star File Photo)

Huskies ride first inning flurry in slaughter over Northwestern State

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter | February 24, 2024

NIU baseball (2-5) exploded for seven runs in the first inning, setting the tone early in a convincing 14-4 victory over the Northwestern State University Demons (2-4) Friday. Freshman pitcher Ty Brachbill spun a gem for the Huskies in his second career...

Then-sophomore pitcher Mason Ruh delivers a pitch to a Central Michigan University opponent on April 7, 2023. Ruh allowed seven runs on 10 hits in Game 2 of Thursday's doubleheader against Northwestern State University. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Baseball falls to No. 2 LSU and Northwestern State in doubleheader

By Joseph Segreti, Sports Reporter | February 23, 2024

NIU baseball was swept in its doubleheader to open its four-game weekend in Louisiana, losing to the defending National Champions in No. 2 Louisiana State University and Northwestern State University.    GAME 1 NIU’s short lived lead disappeared...

Junior guard David Coit surveys the court with Ball State junior guard Jaylin Anderson guarding him in an NIU men's basketball game on Tuesday. Coit scored a game-high 28 points Tuesday. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Shorthanded Huskies run out of gas against Ball State

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter | February 21, 2024

DeKALB – A depleted NIU men’s basketball team (9-17, 3-10 MAC) was outlasted by the Ball State University Cardinals (13-13, 5-8 MAC) 70-63 Tuesday. The Huskies felt the absence of starters sophomore forward Xavier Amos and junior guard Zarique Nutter...

Senior defensive tackle James Ester eyes his opponent in an NIU football home game against the University of Tulsa on Sep. 23, 2023. Ester is one of the few NIU football players that have declared the 2024 NFL Draft. (Courtesy of NIU Athletics)

Previewing the 2024 NFL Draft prospects from the MAC

By Eddie Miller, Sports Reporter | February 20, 2024

The 2024 NFL Draft is set for April 25 in Detroit, Michigan when 257 prospects will be drafted. Only two players from the MAC were invited to the NFL Combine – none from NIU – but one Huskie has the potential to make the pros.  The NFL Combine...

Then-sophomore infielder Christian Seegers scans the diamond during an NIU baseball home game against Central Michigan University on April 7, 2023. Seegers recorded two RBI's and a run scored in the Huskies' 14-7 win over Abilene Christian University Sunday. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

10-run inning powers NIU to first win of 2024 season

By Joseph Segreti, Sports Reporter | February 18, 2024

NIU baseball rode an offensive surge in the fourth inning to overtake Abilene Christian University 14-7 Sunday to avoid the sweep in the opening season series.  The Huskies’ early offensive showing proved to be enough, as they did not trail for...

Then redshirt-sophomore pitcher Matt Salomonson throws a pitch in an NIU baseball home game against Ohio University on Mar. 3, 2023. Salomonson gave up two runs on three hits in the Huskies' third game against Abilene Christian University. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Baseball falls to Abilene Christian in first 3 games of 2024

By Zachary Bertram and Joseph Segreti | February 18, 2024

DeKALB – Poor pitching proved to be NIU baseball’s (0-3) downfall in a doubleheader sweep at the hands of Abilene Christian University Wildcats (3-0) on Friday to open up the 2024 season. The Huskies dropped Game 1 16-6 by slaughter rule in seven...

Redshirt sophomore guard Zion Russell passes the ball in an NIU men's basketball home game against the University at Buffalo on Tuesday. Russell recorded 2 points in 27 minutes played in a 85-47 loss to Kent State University Saturday. (Ryanne Sandifer | Northern Star)

Men’s basketball pummeled at Kent State

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter | February 17, 2024

NIU men’s basketball (9-16, 3-9 MAC) suffered its worst loss of the season, an 85-47 annihilation at the hands of the Kent State University Golden Flashes (13-12, 6-6 MAC) Saturday. NIU’s three-game conference win streak came to a screeching halt...

Redshirt senior Jaivon Jones studies his Lock Haven University opponent at the Beauty and the Beast meet Friday. Jones was announced as the MAC Co-West Wrestler of the Week on Tuesday. (Courtesy of NIU Athletics)

Jones announced as MAC Co-West Wrestler of the Week

By Zack Rodriguez, Former Sports Reporter | February 15, 2024

DeKALB – Redshirt senior Jaivon Jones was named MAC Co-West Wrestler of the Week, the conference announced Tuesday. Jones pinned nationally ranked 149-pounder Nick Stonecheck in 2:22 at the annual “Beauty and the Beast dual” on Friday. Jones...

Then-junior outfielder Eric Erato (5) waits on deck on April 7, 2023. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Building a culture key for baseball ahead of 2024 season

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter | February 14, 2024

DeKALB – Coming off a 10-43 2023 campaign, NIU baseball looks to rebound in 2024 under new leadership. After nine years under former head coach Mike Kunigonis, Ryan Copeland is the newest head coach of the Huskies.  “Coming into a program where...

Junior guard Zarique Nutter (2) shoots a jump hook as Buffalo senior forward Isaiah Adams (3) attempts to block the shot. Nutter led the team in rebounds, accounting for 12 of the team’s total 39. (Ryanne Sandifer | Northern Star)

Huskies survive Bulls for third straight conference victory

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter | February 14, 2024

DeKALB – Without the services of leading scorer junior guard David Coit, a short-handed NIU men’s basketball team (9-15, 3-8 MAC) snuck past the University at Buffalo Bulls (3-21, 1-10 MAC) 72-68 Tuesday. Despite missing four rotational players...

Junior guard David Coit drives past a University of Toledo defender on Jan. 23. Coit was selected as the starting guard for Senior Sports Reporter Zach Bertram's MAC men's basketball All-Star team. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

COLUMN: Creating the 2023-2024 MAC men’s basketball All-Star squad

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter | February 12, 2024

With MAC men’s basketball conference play a little more than halfway through and the NBA All-Star Game on the horizon, I decided to make my own MAC men’s basketball All-Star team. These players have not only been the best on their respective teams,...