Dec. 11, 2007

NEWTON, Iowa - Wrestling International Newsmagazine (W.I.N.) has placed Northern Illinois' 2008-09 recruiting class among the best in the country in its annual early signing period rankings.

The incoming Huskie class is the 20th-best in the nation, according the magazine.

The group includes Illinois products Lucas Roth (Homer Glen, Ill./Lockport), Steve Zimmerman (Chicago, Ill./St. Rita), exemplifying head coach Dave Grant's commitment to building his program with in-state student-athletes. Through their junior seasons, Roth and Zimmerman have combined for three placefinishes in the state, as well as two Dvorak Championships.

Incoming freshman Bobby Wunnicke (Dodgeville, Wis./Dodgeville) will join his older brother TJ Wunnicke on the Huskie roster next season. Fellow Wisconsinite Zak Saevre (Green Bay, Wis./Ashwaubenon) will give Northern Illinois four total grapplers from the Badger State.

Rounding out the five-member class is Chris Smith of Portland, Maine (Deering), who holds three state titles entering his senior year, and also captured fifth place as a junior at the NHSCA Virginia Beach Open. Smith will likely fit in at 125 pounds.

The incoming student-athletes will bolster an NIU team that flexed its muscles on the national stage last week by upsetting No. 5 Northwestern 22-19. The Huskies continue the season Saturday, Dec. 15, when they face Augustana (Ill.) at 1 p.m. (CST).