Oct. 22, 2009

DEKALB, Ill. - Northern Illinois wrestlers Tristen DeShazer (Wichita, Kan./Wichita West) and Bryan Deutsch (Columbia City, Ind./Columbia City) have garnered national attention after their performances at the 2009 NCAA Championships, as both are ranked in several preseason polls entering the 2009-10 season.

"Bryan had an outstanding season last year, winning the conference and going to nationals, and it gave him a lot of exposure," Grant said. "Tristen, placing at the Midlands and having a great showing at the national tournament, obviously puts him in the lime light.

"It's a great start for these two guys that they're on the board already this year. We need to take the next step and get these guys on the awards stand, nationally."

Amateur Wrestling News and the Wrestling Report ranks DeShazer No. 15 in the nation in their respective preseason polls, while Wrestling Insider Newsmagazine has the junior ranked No. 17 in its publication at 133 pounds. He is looking to follow up a successful 2008-09 campaign in which he qualified for the NCAA Championships after placing third at the Mid-American Conference Championship. DeShazer set the NIU single season and career record for pins with 17, including two at the NCAA Championships.

Deutsch, who qualified for the NCAAs after taking home the MAC Championship at 157 pounds is ranked No. 16 in the nation at that weight class by Amateur Wrestling News, 18th by Wrestling Insider Newsmagazine and 30th by the Wrestling Report. He earned his NCAA bid by defeating the No. 1 seed, No. 3 seed and No. 2 seed to win the title at the MAC Championships.

The Huskies will host Wrestle-Offs Friday, Nov. 6, 2009, in Victor E. Court in the Convocation Center at 7 p.m. Northern Illinois will open the season Nov. 15 in East Lansing, Mich., at the Michigan State Open.

-NIU-