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October 29, 2004

Northern Illinois Wrestling To Host Wrestle-Off On Thursday Nov. 4 In Victor E. Court

DeKalb, IL – What have you done for me lately? Northern Illinois University wrestling will have that question answered on Thursday Nov. 4 at 7:05 p.m. when the Huskies host their 2004 Wrestle-Off inside Victory E. Huskie Court in DeKalb.

Past success, returning starter status and All-MAC accolades are thrown out the window in this “winner-take-all” showcase to see which 10 Huskies have earned the first shot at representing the 2004-05 Preseason Mid-American Conference co-favorites.

“This is a great opportunity for our fans to come out and see what we’ve built as a team,” head coach Dave Grant said. “We are excited about this group. We feel like we’ve gotten better as a team and we’ll have a chance to show that at the Wrestle Off.”

Although the early-season starters will be decided at the Wrestle-Off, NIU does return eight incumbents from a 2003-04 team that finished second in the Mid-American Conference and 23rd nationally at the NCAA Championships in St. Louis, MO. Just three weight classes, 125, 165 and 184, fail to have returning regulars penciled in and a pair of NCAA qualifiers, Sam Hiatt and Josh Wooton, are back to bolster a talented, but young NIU squad.

“We anticipate that our returning starters will compete in the wrestle-off, but that still hasn’t been decided,” Grant said. “We will have a mini tournament during practice on Tuesday and Wednesday to see who will compete during Thursday’s competition. Each weight class will have a round-robin format and the top-two guys will get their shot.”

DeKalb natives Sam and Andy Hiatt highlight NIU’s returning strength in the lower weight classes. Last season, Sam Hiatt finished one win shy of earning All-America notoriety and is on the cusp of becoming the next Huskie to eclipse the 100-win mark for a career. The 133-pounder has 85 career triumphs and could reach the milestone early in the MAC season. His younger brother, Andy Hiatt, stormed onto the Conference scene as a redshirt freshman and topped the 20-win mark, while reaching the finals of his weight class (141) at the MAC summit. This season Hiatt returns as the MAC’s top-ranked 141-pounder and could add yet another conference crown to the Hiatt household.

Another headliner for fans will be the return of junior Josh Wooton. A two-time NCAA qualifier, Wooton is ranked among the nation’s best at 149 pounds and won 22 matches a year ago on his way to second place at the MAC Championships.

Other returners for the Huskies include Joe Henning and Alex Nelson at 157 pounds, George Kirgan at 174, Greg Reardon at 197 and sophomore Joe Sapp at heavyweight. Henning and Reardon will be held out of the Wrestle Off because of injury, but will have a chance to regain their starting spots later in the season.

Northern Illinois begins the regular season on Saturday Nov. 13 at the UW-Stevens Point Open. The Huskies then compete at the Michigan State Open (20-21) before returning to the Convocation Center for the 2004-05 “Showcase Meet” against the University of Wisconsin Badgers on Sunday Nov. 28 at 2:05 p.m.
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