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The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

The Student News Site of Northern Illinois University

Northern Star

Sophomore Blake West grapples a Northwestern University wrestler at the Convocation Center on Dec. 19 2023. West won his match on Saturday against the University at Buffalo by technical fall, making him 6-0 in MAC play this season. (Courtesy of NIU Athletics)

Jackson’s late heroics win it for wrestling

By Zack Rodriguez, Sports Reporter | February 3, 2024

DeKALB – Redshirt sophomore Jacobi Jackson’s late meet heroics led NIU wrestling (11-2, 5-1 MAC) past the University at Buffalo (8-11, 3-2 MAC) 18-16 on Saturday.  “I liked that we found a way,” said NIU wrestling head coach Ryan Ludwig. “We...

Then-redshirt sophomore quarterback Ethan Hampton looks for an open pass during an NIU football game against the University of Tulsa on Sep. 23, 2023. After 3 years of playing behind Rocky Lombardi, Hampton is the favorite to become the starting quarterback for NIU football in 2024. (Northern Star File Photo)

COLUMN: 3 position battles to watch in spring ball

By Skyler Kisellus, Sports Reporter | February 2, 2024

DeKALB – Spring practice for NIU football is still over a month away, but several positions remain unaddressed after an offseason of player movements. Here are three position battles to watch play out during the 15 practices on NIU’s spring schedule. WIDE...

Redshirt sophomore guard Zion Russell (10) yells to teammates to coordinate a pass as Toledo junior guard Dante Maddox Jr. (21) guards him. Russell finished Tuesday's game against Central Michigan University with 8 points, 5 rebounds, and 3 assists. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Men’s basketball loses double-overtime heartbreaker to Central Michigan

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter | January 31, 2024

DeKALB – A career-high 23 points from junior guard Zarique Nutter was not enough for NIU men’s basketball (6-14, 0-8 MAC) to pull out its first conference victory of the season, as the Huskies fell 84-77 to the Central Michigan University Chippewas...

NIU wrestling head coach Ryan Ludwig screams at his wrestler in a home dual against Central Michigan University on Saturday. Ludwig eclipsed the 100 career-win mark on Dec. 19, 2023. (Elyse Jones | Courtesy of NIU Athletics)

From the Mat to Mentorship: Ludwig paving the path to 100 wins

By Zack Rodriguez, Sports Reporter | January 30, 2024

Thirteen consecutive NCAA qualifiers, 13 All-MAC honorees, 34 MAC champions, and 40 Academic All-MAC selections and a feat repeated just twice in program history: 100 career wins. In the grand tapestry of NIU wrestling head coach Ryan Ludwig's coaching...

Redshirt freshman Tommy Bennett holds off Central Michigan University redshirt sophomore Tyler Swiderski in a dual against the Chippewas on Saturday. Bennett defeated Swiderski 5-4 in a decision victory. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

2 wrestlers shine in return, program clinches 10th win

By Zack Rodriguez, Sports Reporter | January 28, 2024

DeKALB – Key contributions from two returnees powered a late surge as NIU Wrestling (10-2, 4-1 MAC) crept past Central Michigan University (3-6, 1-1 MAC) 22-10 at Victor E. Court on Saturday. NIU wrestling head coach Ryan Ludwig achieved double-digit...

NIU junior guard David Coit works his way past Ball State University freshman forward Mason Jones on Saturday. The Huskies fell 81-71 to the Cardinals in Muncie, Indiana on Saturday. (Nick Wilson | Courtesy of Ball State Athletics)

Ball State halts Huskies’ late rally for matinee victory

By Zachary Bertram, Senior Sports Reporter | January 28, 2024

DeKALB – A dominant performance from Ball State junior forward Basheer Jihad lifted the Ball State University Cardinals (11-9, 3-5 MAC) to an 81-71 victory over NIU men’s basketball (6-13, 0-7 MAC). The Huskies had their hands full trying to stop...

NIU senior Mikael Vollbach (left) serves to University of North Dakota players as senior Cheng En Tsai ducks behind the net to prepare for the return. Tsai and Vollbach locked in with the other Huskie doubles, giving up only 2 games. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

Men’s tennis dominates North Dakota, earn third win

By Sana Polizzi, Sports Reporter | January 27, 2024

Following a 6-1 defeat on the road against the Drake University Bulldogs, the NIU men's tennis team returned home to crush the University of North Dakota Fighting Hawks in a 6-1 win. NIU was undefeated in doubles and only had one loss in singles.  NIU...

After a defensive rebound early in the game, senior forward Harvin Ibarguen (23) navigates around University of Toledo redshirt freshman forward Javan Simmons (1). The Huskies have fallen to 6-12 after starting the season 5-1. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

COLUMN: How NIU men’s basketball’s hot start has flamed out

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

DeKALB – A successful season seemed to be on the horizon when NIU men’s basketball (6-12, 0-6 MAC) jumped out to its best start through six games since 2015 with a 5-1 record.  After a road win over the DePaul University Blue Demons on Nov. 25...

Junior guard David Coit (11) hooks past Toledo redshirt freshman forward Javan Simmons (1) with possession of the ball. Coit led the team in scoring, with 23 of the team’s total 73 points attributed to him. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Depleted Huskies burned by Toledo’s hot second half

By Ethan Gonzales, Sports Editor | January 24, 2024

DeKALB – The “second-half Huskies” strike again! Despite a night of putback dunks and streaky shooting from the Huskies, NIU men’s basketball (6-12, 0-6 MAC) was outscored in the second half for the 11th time this season in an 89-73 loss to...

Redshirt sophomore Blake West pins his Kent State University opponent on Dec. 19. West recorded his 20th victory of the 2023-2024 season on Saturday against Cleveland State University. (Scott Walstrom | Courtesy of NIU Athletics)

Wrestling owns East tiebreaker, garners first road victory

By Zack Rodriguez, Sports Reporter | January 20, 2024

A belated rejuvenation by Cleveland State University (3-7, 1-2 MAC) came up short as NIU wrestling (9-2, 3-1 MAC) clinched its inaugural road victory of the spring season on Friday. The Huskies now hold sole possession of the top spot in the MAC West.  Redshirt...

Redshirt sophomore Blake West searches for an opening on his Kent State University opponent. West was named the MAC Scholar-Athlete of the Week on Monday following his major decision victory over Ohio University freshman Ryan Meek on Friday. (Scott Walstrom | NIU Athletics)

West nabs MAC Scholar-Athlete of the Week

By Zack Rodriguez, Sports Reporter | January 18, 2024

DeKALB – Redshirt sophomore Blake West was named MAC Scholar-Athlete of the Week, NIU announced on Wednesday.  The MAC Scholar-Athlete of the Week is presented twice a week. The award is presented to one male and one female athlete, considering...

The Huskie men’s basketball team returns from the court, defeatedly high fiving their teammates at the bench after losing to Kent State. The final score was 83-76. (Sean Reed | Northern Star)

Men’s basketball drops seventh consecutive game

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

DeKALB – A hyper-efficient 60.4% shooting night from the Kent State University Golden Flashes (9-8, 2-3 MAC) was enough to defeat NIU men’s basketball (6-11, 0-5) 83-76 and keep the Huskies winless to start conference play. Despite knocking down...

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