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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 takes down Southern Illinois University Edwardsville freshman Drew Davis as the Huskies defeated SIUE by a score of 19-12 on Feb. 22. West, along with redshirt sophomore Landen Johnson, were eliminated from the NCAA Wrestling Championship on Friday. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Huskie duo comes up short in NCAA Tourney

By James Bennett, Sports Reporter | March 22, 2025

NIU wrestling competed in the NCAA tournament with two wrestlers taking the mat Thursday and Friday in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NIU redshirt junior Blake West and redshirt sophomore Landen Johnson represented the Huskies in their respective weight...

NIU wrestling redshirt junior Blake West faces off with University at Buffalo sophomore Max Elton during the Beauty and the Beast meet on Feb. 7. West became the Mid-American Conference 125 pound champion during the MAC Championships on Saturday. (Marco Alvarez | Northern Star)

Blake West wins NIU’s first 125 pound MAC Championship since 2007

By L.J. Bennett, Sports Reporter | March 10, 2025

NIU wrestling competed in the final day of the Mid-American Conference championship on Saturday in Trenton, New Jersey, after having five wrestlers advance to the second day of competition.  WEST SHINES BRIGHTEST  NIU redshirt junior Blake West...

A graphic shows NIU student-athletes from various sports with arrows indicating highs and lows. Sports Editor Edison Miller points out the best and worst moments for NIU Athletics throughout February. (Edison Miller | Northern Star)

Highs and lows of NIU Athletics in February

By Edison Miller, Sports Editor | March 5, 2025

With NIU’s spring sports ramping up and winter sports dying down, NIU Athletics faces one of the busiest times of the year. While certain teams have hit their stride, others have cracked under the pressure.  Here are two high points, as well as...

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 Markel Baker holds Purdue University Boilermaker redshirt junior Dustin Norris from behind in the 133-pound match amid the Huskies 29-8 loss against Purdue on Jan. 12. Baker earned Mid-American Conference West Wrestler of the Week honors after upsetting the No. 2 ranked 133-pound wrestler in the NCAA on Friday. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

Baker nabs MAC West Wrestler of the Week

By Northern Star Sports Staff | February 19, 2025

NIU wrestling redshirt sophomore Markel Baker earned Mid-American Conference West Wrestler of the Week after upsetting the second-ranked 133-pound wrestler in the NCAA.  Now the No. 33 ranked 133-pound wrestler, Baker defeated then No. 2 ranked 133-pound...

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, bleeding in the mouth, holds Purdue redshirt sophomore Kade Law to the ground at the Convocation Center on Jan. 12. After claiming an overtime victory against University at Buffalo redshirt junior Kaleb Burgess on Friday, Johnson earned Mid-American Conference West Wrestler of the Week honors. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

Overtime victory earns Johnson MAC Wrestler of the Week

By Northern Star Sports Staff | February 11, 2025

NIU wrestling No. 31-ranked 157-pound redshirt sophomore Landen Johnson earned this week’s Mid-American Conference West Wrestler of the Week after claiming an overtime victory over a nationally ranked opponent Friday. Johnson matched up against previously...

NIU wrestling redshirt sophomore Jacob Brya rests on his knees after defeating University at Buffalo Andy Lucinski by a score of 10-1 Friday at the Convocation Center. The Huskies defeated Buffalo by a score of 28-8, sparking a three-game winning streak. (Marco Alvarez | Northern Star)

Huskies bulldoze Buffalo in Beauty and the Beast Dual

By James Bennett, Sports Reporter | February 8, 2025

NIU wrestling (5-3, 5-1 MAC) trounced the University at Buffalo Bulls (4-10, 2-3 MAC) by a score of 28-8 Friday in the annual Beauty and the Beast meet. The win is the third in a row for the Huskies and puts them at first in the MAC West.  A COMPLETE...

A graphic shows NIU student-athletes from various sports with arrows indicating highs and lows. Sports Editor Edison Miller points out the best and worst moments for Huskie sports throughout January. (Edison Miller | Northern Star)

MILLER: Highs and lows of NIU Athletics in January

By Edison Miller, Sports Editor | February 5, 2025

A month removed from the new year, some NIU sports teams are kicking off their spring season while others are continuing business as usual. In January, teams like men’s and women’s basketball struggled while women’s tennis and wrestling shined. Here...

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 junior Blake West picks up Purdue University redshirt senior Matt Ramos and throws him to the mat amid the Huskies’ 29-8 loss against Purdue on Jan. 12. Sports reporter James Bennett breaks down his three biggest takeaways from NIU wrestling’s season so far. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

BENNETT: Three takeaways from wrestling’s rollercoaster start to the 2024-25 season

By James Bennett, Sports Reporter | January 29, 2025

NIU wrestling has had a complicated start to the season. There have been a lot of things to take away from their performance thus far, both good and bad.  Here are my three biggest takeaways so far this season.  BLAKE WEST IS A STAR Huskie...

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...