Edwardsville, IL – For the third time in as many seasons, a Northern Illinois University wrestler competed at the National Wrestling Coaches Association All-Star Classic, as senior 133-pounder Sam Hiatt squared off against No. 4 Mark Jayne of the University of Illinois.

Hiatt fell to the returning All-American by a 3-1 margin, but joined former Huskies Scott Owen (2002) and Ben Heizer (2003) as participants in the national showcase meet.

Not originally scheduled to participate in NWCA event, Hiatt replaced No. 1 Travis Lee of Cornell, who elected not to participate in the 39th rendition of the event.

Hiatt held a 1-0 advantage on Jayne until the third period, when the Fighting Illini senior evened the match with an escape and grabbed the lead with :30 seconds remaining on a takedown. Jayne then rode out the remaining time for the 3-1 triumph.