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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

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, Former 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, Former 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...

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, Former 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, Former 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...

Then-redshirt freshman Blake West opposes Buffalo’s then-redshirt freshman Mason Bush in NIU wrestling's match against Buffalo on Feb. 4. West earned third place at 125 pounds in the Cougar Clash on Saturday. (Northern Star File Photo)

West earns third, Huskies take fifth at Cougar Clash

By Zack Rodriguez, Former Sports Reporter | December 4, 2023

DeKALB – Redshirt sophomore Blake West earned his second third-place medal of the year on Saturday as NIU finished fifth as a team at the Cougar Clash. NIU has had seven or more wrestlers place through the first three tournaments this season. Replicating...

Redshirt sophomore Blake West fights for ground against his opponent at the Red-Black Dual on Oct. 27. West finished 2-0 on Sunday at the Boilmaker Duals. (Amanda Springer | NIU Athletics)

3 wrestlers finish 2-0 at Boilermaker Duals

By Zack Rodriguez, Former Sports Reporter | November 20, 2023

DeKALB – NIU wrestling split matchups, securing a commanding 32-12 victory against the University of Indianapolis but faced defeat against host Purdue University during the Boilermaker Duals on Saturday.  Following an undefeated performance against...

Freshman Collin Arch prepares to grapple during the red/black dual on Oct. 27. Arch took the 149-pound title at the Lindenwood Open. (Amanda Springer | NIU Athletics)

Arch wins 149 title, 5 wrestlers place

By Zack Rodriguez, Former Sports Reporter | November 18, 2023

DeKALB – Freshman Collin Arch was the first Huskie to win his division this season after a flawless 6-0 performance at the Lindenwood Open tournament on Saturday. Four other Huskie grapplers exited Missouri with a piece of hardware. Arch followed...

Redshirt freshman Danny Curran grapples with redshirt freshman Dylan Gvillo during the red/black dual on Oct. 27. The Huskies took 11th place at the MSU Open on Saturday (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Wrestling earns 11th place at MSU Open

By Zack Rodriguez, Former Sports Reporter | November 11, 2023

DeKALB – 14 NIU grapplers earned podium spots en route to NIU Wrestling's 11th-place team finish at the MSU Open on Saturday.  NIU had four more placers than it did in last year's MSU Open on Nov. 5, 2022. HUSKIES IMPROVE After failing to...

Redshirt freshman Danny Curran and Dylan Gvillo stare each other down at the Red/Black Dual on Oct. 27. NIU defeated Lindenwood University and St. Ambrose University by a combined score of 98-0 on Friday at the Huskie Duals. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Wrestling pitches shutout in home opener

By Zack Rodriguez, Former Sports Reporter | November 3, 2023

DeKALB – Four pins, seven major decisions, 6 technical falls and earning bonus points in 19 bouts, Huskies blew out Lindenwood University and St. Ambrose University during the Huskie Duals on Friday.  The Huskies went a combined 95-0 between both...

Redshirt freshman Danny Curran (right) grapples with redshirt freshman Dylan Gvillo (left) during the Huskie Duals exhibition last Friday. The Huskies' first dual takes place Friday against Lindenwood and St. Ambrose. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

NIU wrestling: New faces, returning stars

By Zack Rodriguez, Former Sports Reporter | November 1, 2023

DeKALB – Roll out the mats, break out the headgear and prepare the ringworm ointment, as the NIU wrestling season is rapidly approaching. LAST SEASON RESULTS  Last season, NIU wrestling finished with an 8-5 overall record and went  5-1 in the...

NIU redshirt freshman Blake West opposes Buffalo’s redshirt freshman Mason Bush in the first match of the wrestling side of the meet on Feb. 4 at the Convocation Center. (Alyssa Queen | Northern Star)

7 Huskie wrestlers named to All-MAC Academic team

By DeOndre Saunders, Sports Reporter | March 30, 2023

DeKALB – Seven players from the NIU wrestling team were announced on Tuesday to be on the Mid-American Conference All-Academic team. Student-athletes must have at least a 3.20 cumulative GPA and have participated in at least 50% of the contests scheduled...

Central Michigan redshirt freshman Chandler Amaker (left) and NIU redshirt senior Izzak Olejnik battle at 165 during a dual meet Friday. (Courtesy Central Michigan Athletics)

MAC champion Olejnik enters transfer portal

By Alex Crowe, Assistant Sports Editor | March 27, 2023

DeKALB – Redshirt senior wrestler Izzak Olejnik announced that he is entering the transfer portal via his Twitter Monday. Olejnik is fresh off his second straight Mid-American Conference Championship at 165 pounds. He also finished in eighth place...