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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 redshirt junior Blake West battles University at Buffalo sophomore Max Elton in the meet on Feb. 7. The Huskies finished the regular season with a 7-3 (6-1 MAC) record after defeating Southern Illinois University Edwardsville 19-12 on Saturday.  (Marco Alvarez | Northern Star)

Wrestling wraps up regular season, defeats Cougars

By Andy Inboden, Sports Reporter | February 23, 2025

NIU wrestling (7-3, 6-1 MAC) earned a 19-12 win over the Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Cougars (7-8, 4-3 MAC) on Saturday night at First Community Arena in Edwardsville, Illinois. The Huskies started at 125 pounds, when nationally ranked...

NIU wrestling redshirt sophomore Jacob Brya battles Bulls redshirt junior Andy Lucinski in the meet against University at Buffalo on Feb. 7. The Huskies bested Cal Poly on Friday by a score of 25-19. (Marco Alvarez | Northern Star)

Wrestling Mangles Mustangs

By L.J. Bennett, Sports Reporter | February 16, 2025

NIU wrestling (6-3, 5-1 MAC) triumphed over the No. 22 ranked California Polytechnic State Mustangs (4-9, 0-2 PAC-12) 25-19 in Friday's matchup.  HOT START NIU would get off to a hot start in Friday's matchup. Starting at 125 lbs when redshirt...

NIU wrestling redshirt sophomore Landen Johnson is declared the winner of his match against Purdue University redshirt sophomore Kade Law amid the Huskies' 29-8 loss against Purdue on Jan. 12. The Huskies overcame the Cleveland State University Vikings Friday by a score of 29-14. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

Wrestling jumps ahead early, holds on to plunder Vikings

By James Bennett, Sports Reporter | February 1, 2025

NIU wrestling (4-3, 4-1 MAC) triumphed over the Cleveland State University Vikings (2-6, 2-4 MAC) by a score of 29-14 Friday. The win is the Huskies’ second in a row and moves the Huskies into second place in the MAC West, tied with Ohio University.  LIGHTWEIGHTS...

NIU wrestling redshirt sophomore Markel Baker holds Purdue University redshirt junior Dustin Norris from behind in the 133-pound match amid NIU's 29-8 loss against Purdue Jan. 12 at the Convocation Center in DeKalb. The Huskies overcame Ohio University by a score of 21-20 Saturday in Athens, Ohio. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

Lighter weight classes lead comeback as wrestling trumps Bobcats

By James Bennett, Sports Reporter | January 25, 2025

NIU wrestling (3-3, 3-1 MAC) outdueled the Ohio University Bobcats (5-3, 3-1 MAC) 21-20 in a come from behind effort in Saturday’s dual meet. As a result, the Bobcats – who were previously undefeated in the Mid-American Conference – no longer lead...

 No. 21 redshirt junior Blake West looks to the crowd while he leans over Purdue No. 1 redshirt senior Matt Ramos on the mat. West is currently 13-1 in the Mid American Conference and 75-19 overall throughout his career. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

Wrestling falls to Central Michigan after hot start

By James Bennett, Sports Reporter | January 18, 2025

NIU wrestling (2-3, 2-1 MAC) fell to the Central Michigan Chippewas (3-5, 1-0 MAC) Friday night, losing the dual 29-11.  FIERY START NIU got off to a hot start against the Chippewas. The Huskies won the first two duels of the night. The early momentum...

Redshirt sophomore Jacob Brya wraps around Rider University graduate student McKenzie Bell from behind on Nov. 22 at the Convocation Center. Brya took third place in the 141 lbs. division at the Cougar Clash on Saturday as NIU wrestling took fifth place out of eight teams. (Northern Star File Photo)

Wrestling meets mixed results in Cougar Clash

By James Bennett, Sports Reporter | December 8, 2024

NIU wrestling took the trip to Edwardsville for the Cougar Clash on Saturday. The Huskies mustered two podium finishes on the day and placed fifth as a team with 88 total points.  PODIUM FINISHERS At 125 lbs, Huskies’ redshirt junior Blake West...

Then-redshirt freshman Tommy Bennett grapples a wrestler from Central Michigan University on Jan. 27. NIU wrestling begins its 2024-25 season on Saturday at Michigan State University for the Michigan State Open. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

NIU wrestling looks to reach new heights in 2024-25 campaign

By James Bennett, Sports Reporter | November 6, 2024

Coming off a 13-2 season last year that included a first-place finish in the Mid-American Conference West, NIU wrestling is looking to be even better in the 2024-2025 season.  EXPECTATIONS  Expectations are high for the Huskies. NIU wrestling...

Redshirt sophomore Blake West eyes his Kent State University opponent in Day 1 of the MAC Championships Friday. West qualified for the NCAA Tournament after falling in the championship round of the MAC Championships. (Elsye Jones | Courtesy of NIU Athletics)

Wrestling places 7th at MAC Championships

By Zack Rodriguez, Former Sports Reporter | March 12, 2024

DeKALB – Seven Huskies merit a MAC Championship spot while one earned admission to the NCAA Championships during the 2024 MAC Championships Friday and Saturday on the campus of Kent State University. NIU extended its NCAA qualifier streak to 51 consecutive...

Redshirt freshman Jacob Brya celebrates a victory in an NIU wrestling home dual against Southern Illinois University Edwardsville Friday. Brya was named the MAC West Wrestler of the Week on Monday. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Brya secures MAC West Wrestler of the Week honors

By Zack Rodriguez, Former Sports Reporter | February 27, 2024

DeKALB – Redshirt freshman Jacob Brya was named MAC West Wrestler of the Week, the conference announced Tuesday. Brya is now the fourth Huskie wrestler to receive MAC weekly honors.  Brya notched his 10th win of the season after topping Southern...

Wrestlers from NIU and Ohio University grapple during Friday's dual meet in Mount in Athens, Ohio. (Courtesy Ohio Athletics)

Lightweight match momentum propels Huskies over Ohio

By Skyler Kisellus and Adrien De La Peña | January 21, 2023
A speedy 18-0 lead built by NIU wrestling during Friday's road dual meet served as the foundation for the Huskies' triumph over MAC-unbeaten foe Ohio.
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)

Winless Chips stun MAC-unbeaten Huskies

By Skyler Kisellus, Senior Sports Reporter | January 13, 2023
An 18-10 start for NIU wrestling in Sunday's dual meet against Central Michigan ended in a come-from-behind win for the winless Chippewas.