Not unlike the NIU men's basketball team, the Huskie wrestling squad is composed of many freshmen and sophomores, but only two juniors and no seniors. "We're still young," coach Ed Vatch said. "The guys are real agressive and sometimes that can lead to...

Right about now everyone is preparing to go home for the long awaited Christmas vacation. Except for the NIU wrestling squad. The Huskie grapplers will remain on campus for a good part of the break, practicing and participating in tournaments. "Keeping...

Things were kept in the family for the NIU wrestling squad at last weekend's University of Illinois Tournament. NIU's two champions from the tournament were the brother team of Anton and Jim Kossakowski. Anton won the 177-pound level of the open division...

Huskie wrestlers went into the St. Louis Open last weekend expecting some tough competition. They got more than expected. "The competition was phenomenal," coach Ed Vatch said. "An example is a two-time NCAA champion from Iowa didn't even make it to the...

After last weekend's season-opening tournament, NIU wrestling coach Ed Vatch said his team was out of shape. This week he did something to remedy that problem. He intensified practice workouts. "I upped the intensity of the workouts to find out how good...

Wrestling coach Ed Vatch had one major impression about his squad members following the weekend's Tombstone Open at Stevens Point, Wis. His impression was that they were out of shape. "I was surprised," Vatch said. "A lot of guys are just coming to practice...

American sport consists of the Big Three—football, basketball and baseball. However, NIU athletics seems to be lost in the shuffle. The Huskies pride themselves on being an up-and-coming program. Great strides are being made by NIU to become recognized...

NIU athletics took a big step out of the Dark Ages this year with the hiring of Huskie almnus Jim Zielinski as the school's first strength coach. Actually, "Zee's" status is that of an acting coach, but the 5-foot-11 (he claims 6-foot even), 242-pound...

Top-caliber athletes dot the lineups of several NIU teams. Here are just a few to look for this season. Cathy Holmes is a strong catalyst for the NIU volleyball team. The senior helped lead her squad last season to a 19-16 overall finish and a second-place...

NIU wrestling coach Ed Vatch is excited about the two recruits he signed for the upcoming season: Thomas Curtis (T.C.) Dantzler from Thornwood and Jim Kossakowski from Elgin-Larkin. Dantzler is expected to wrestle for the Huskies at either 142 pounds...

Covering the men's wrestling team this year was quite an experience. Not only were the players and coaches helpful in giving interviews, but it was great to listen to head coach Ed Vatch's colorful quotes during the course of the season. For example,...

The NIU wrestling team finished the 1987-88 season with an overall 5-14-1 dual-meet record. The Huskies' season record does not exemplify the quality of wrestling displayed by coach Ed Vatch's young squad. Vatch will see most of his top grapplers in the...