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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

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...

 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...

Redshirt junior Jacob Christensen stares down his Rider University opponent on Nov. 22 at the Convocation Center after his opponent broke free. Christensen competes as a heavyweight in the 285-pound weight class for NIU wrestling in 2024-25. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

What does it take to maintain weight as a collegiate wrestler?

By Claire Valenti, Sports Reporter | December 2, 2024

We’ve all seen videos of wrestlers shaving their heads and sprinting on treadmills in desperate attempts to shake weight off before weigh-ins. We’ve heard stories of wrestlers endlessly chugging water and eating six meals in a day hoping to gain a...

Redshirt junior Jacob Christensen lifts Rider University freshman Collin French off the mat to slam him back down on Friday at the Convocation Center. Christensen won the final match to seal a 20-19 victory for NIU wrestling over the Broncs. (Totus Tuus Keely | Northern Star)

Huskies come alive late to spur Broncs

By James Bennett, Sports Reporter | November 23, 2024

NIU wrestling (1-1) trumped the Rider University Broncs (0-2) in their second meet of the season Friday night, winning the dual 20-19. EBBS AND FLOWS The Huskies would storm ahead early going up 11-0. This included an 8-0 major decision at 125 lbs...

The NIU wrestling coaching staff encourages from the sidelines in the Huskies' meet against Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in February. The Huskies suffered their first loss Saturday against Northwestern University. (Tim Dodge | Northern Star)

Wrestling takes first loss against Northwestern

By Claire Valenti, Sports Reporter | November 17, 2024

Coming off of a dominant showing at the Michigan State Open, NIU wrestling (0-1) competed against the Northwestern University Wildcats (1-0) in its first meet of the season Saturday night.  Falling behind 14-4 after the fifth match, NIU’s night...

NIU wrestling then-redshirt freshman Jacob Brya takes down Southern Illinois University Edwardsville then-redshirt freshman Eric Almarinez last season in February. The Huskies competed at the Michigan State Open on Saturday with six wrestlers reaching the podium. (Northern Star File Photo)

NIU Places 6 Wrestlers on podium, 9 overall at Michigan State Open

By James Bennett, Sports Reporter | November 10, 2024

NIU Wrestling made the trip to East Lansing, Michigan for the Michigan State Open on Saturday. The Huskies had 9 wrestlers place in the event with 6 finishing in the top 3 of their division.  NIU wrestling head coach Ryan Ludwig was pleased with his...

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 heavyweight wrestler Jacobi Jackson scans his opponent in an NIU wrestling home match. Jackson suffered two major injuries before finishing his 2023-2024 season as a ranked wrestler. (Courtesy of NIU Athletics)

From rehabilitation to ranked: the triumph of Jacobi Jackson

By Zack Rodriguez, Sports Reporter | April 10, 2024

Redshirt sophomore heavyweight wrestler Jacobi Jackson played a pivotal role in the Huskies' pursuit of the MAC West title. Yet, his journey to success encountered significant obstacles, temporarily diverting him from his path to dominance. HIGHLY...

NIU redshirt sophomore Blake West grapples on the back of Lock Haven freshman Logan Sallot on Feb. 9. West was eliminated in the first round at the 2024 NCAA Championships. (Northern Star File Photo)

West makes early departure from Nationals

By Zack Rodriguez, Sports Reporter | March 24, 2024

After falling short of an at-large bid into the 2023 NCAA Championships, redshirt sophomore Blake West made his Nationals debut in Kansas City, Missouri, Thursday. West was eliminated from the tournament after losing both matches in the opening round. West...

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