NIU Wrestling Notes - Buffalo 

DeKALB, Ill. – The Northern Illinois University wrestling team looks for its second conference win of the season when the Huskies travel to Buffalo for a Mid-American Conference dual on Sunday, Feb. 14 at UB’s Alumni Arena at 12 p.m.

The Huskies (6-8, 1-5 MAC) have looked strong in recent weeks, picking up a convincing conference road victory at Eastern Michigan and competing well in two narrow home defeats to top-20 programs Kent State and Missouri. A road win against the Bulls (8-8, 1-5 MAC) would further confirm those indications that NIU wrestling is taking huge strides forward as the all-important college wrestling postseason in March quickly approaches.

With just two dual meets remaining before the postseason, NIU wrestling head coach Ryan Ludwig and his team know Sunday will be their penultimate opportunity to prepare for the MAC Championships, which will be held March 5-6 in Ypsilanti, Mich.

Featuring among the Huskie probable starters at Buffalo will be NIU’s two top-20 ranked individual wrestlers, No. 15 Steve Bleise (Chelsea, Mich./Chelsea) at 141 pounds and No. 17 Shawn Scott (Holly, Mich./Holly) at 197 pounds, who both garnered those rankings in the newly updated NCAA Coaches’ Panel Poll this week. Also receiving recognition from the Huskies was 174-pounder Trace Engelkes (Winnebago, Ill./Winnebago), whose 17 wins and numerous quality showings helped him rank at No. 30 in his weight class in the NCAA Wrestling RPI.

Meanwhile, the likes of Austin Eicher (Fenton, Mich./Hartland) at 133 pounds, Shaun’Qae McMurtry (Lockport, Ill./Nebraska) at 165 and Arthur Bunce (Munith, Mich./Dansville) at heavyweight have also looked strong for NIU in recent weeks. Eicher knocked off a top-10 wrestler in his weight class by taking down No. 10 Zach Synon of Missouri last Sunday, while McMurtry and Bunce both posted perfect weekends against the Golden Flashes and Tigers.

The Huskies have defeated the Bulls in three straight seasons, including a 26-10 triumph last season in DeKalb.

NIU Wrestling Probables
125: Alijah Jeffery (14-11)
133: Austin Eicher (15-11)
141: #15 Steve Bleise (23-6)
149: Gabe Morse (7-6)
157: Andrew Morse (1-4)
165: Shaun’Qae McMurtry (13-10)
174: Trace Engelkes (17-10)
184: Quinton Rosser (7-15)
197: #17 Shawn Scott (18-7)
285: Arthur Bunce (14-11)

--NIU--