Oct. 27, 2011

DeKALB -The Northern Illinois wrestling team will wrap up their preseason practice schedule this Saturday at 2 p.m. when they host the annual Wrestle-Offs in Victor E. Court at the Convocation Center.

The Wrestle-Offs is an intrasquad meet that helps determine the starting lineup for the upcoming season, while giving fans the opportunity to get their first glimpse at the 2011-12 Huskies.

"There should be some hotly-contested matches for positions in our lineup," said head coach Ryan Ludwig. "It will be great to see all the Huskie fans in the stands and have them meet the coaches and the team."

The competition for starting spots is highly competitive in several weight classes, including at 141 and 157. The meet will also be the first opportunity for fans to see some members of the highly-touted 2011 recruiting class, which was ranked 28th in the nation by Wrestling USA magazine.

Despite the youth, the team will be led by seniors Brad Dieckhaus, the defending MAC champion, at 184 and Mike Lukowski at 197, along with sophomore and 2010-11 wins leader Nick Smithat 125.

After the meet, fans will have the opportunity to interact with the Huskie wrestling team in a meet-and-greet event at Pizza Pro's, located at 1205 W. Lincoln Highway in DeKalb.

WRESTLE-OFF MATCHUPS

Exhibition Matches
133: Derek Elmore vs. Thorian Twyner
149: Ethan Davis vs. Matt Frisch

Red & Black Dual
125: Nick Harrison vs. Nick Smith
133: Rob Jillard vs. Jason Montemayor
141: Shawn Fayette vs. Kevin Fanta
149: Steven Bradley vs. Matt Smith
157: Sam Bennett vs. Tyler Loethen
174: Caleb Busson vs. Dan Burk
184: Austin Pickering vs. Arber Bebo
197: Mike Lukowski vs. Shane Rosenberry
285: Jared Torrence vs. Parker Settecase