DeKALB, Ill. – The Northern Illinois University wrestling team will have a busy weekend as they host Mid-American Conference rival, Ohio, on Friday, Jan. 13, at 7 p.m. in Victor E. Court. The Huskies will hit the road on Saturday to face Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville at a neutral site in Springfield, Ill. as part of the Illinois Kids Wrestling Federation Convention at the Prairie Capital Convention Center.
 
 
OHIO
 
Last Bout
Last year, the Huskies got off to a hot start to lead the Bobcats, 7-3, before eventually falling 23-10 against No. 23 Ohio. At 141 pounds, No. 15 Steve Bleise (Chelsea, Mich./Chelsea) won by decision to give the Huskies an early advantage but the Bobcats answered back with five consecutive wins to secure the victory.
 
Scouting the Competition
The Bobcats (4-4, 2-2 MAC) are led by two ranked grapplers, No. 18 Shakur Laney at 125 pounds and No. 20 Cameron Kelly at 133 pounds. In recent rankings released by the MAC, Ohio is ranked fourth in the MAC; the Huskies are fifth. 
 
Coach's Corner
"Every team in the MAC is tough. We prepare to bring our best and make progress weekly," said head wrestling coach Ryan Ludwig. "I expect to see our men compete with a high level of focus on ourselves and what we do."
 
 One-on-one with Steve Bleise
On facing MAC opponent, Ohio:
"We always expect a tough fight from every team. The plan doesn't change for us. We will treat it like every dual. We go out and assert our offense and do what we do best, the rest takes care of itself."
 
On back-to-back duals:
"Our only focus right now is beating Ohio. Our guys know that they have to maintain focus and live the championship lifestyle. When Saturday comes, we will be ready to go just as we always are."
 
Lineup
Below is the probable lineup for both teams:
 
NIU Huskies (3-3, 0-2 MAC)
125 Brock Hudkins (12-7, 1-1) or Kirk Johansen (1-0, 0-0)
133 Alijah Jeffery (10-8, 1-1)
141 Angel Velasquez (8-7, 1-1) or Anthony Rubino (1-3, 0-0)
149 No. 13 Steve Bleise (15-5, 1-1)
157 Caden McWhirter (14-5, 2-0)
165 Andrew Scott (4-5, 0-1) or Shaun'Qae McMurtry (3-5, 0-2)
174 Trace Engelkes (8-2, 0-1) or Marco Orlandi (2-2, 0-0)
184 Bryce Gorman (12-7, 0-2) or Michael Aldrich (6-6, 0-0)
197 No. 10 Shawn Scott (13-3, 1-1)
285 Caleb Gossett (9-8, 0-2)

Ohio Bobcats (4-4, 2-2 MAC)
125 No. 18 Shakur Laney (6-1, 3-1)
133 No. 20 Cameron Kelly (3-3, 1-1) 
141 Noah Forrider (7-1, 3-1) 
149 Kade Kowalski (3-4, 1-3)
157 Cullen Cummings (3-5, 2-2)
165 Austin Reese (3-4, 2-2) 
174 Arsen Ashughyan (6-2, 2-2) 
184 Dontae McGee (1-1, 1-1) or Hunter Yeargan (1-3, 0-1) or Nate Hall (0-2, 0-1)
197 Bailey Faust (5-2, 1-2) or Devin King (0-1, 0-1)
 285 Zack Parker (R-So., 16-9/4-4 Duals, 3-1 MAC) 
 
Follow the Huskies
You can follow the Huskies and watch the action live at niuhuskies.com or get up-to-date results from trackwrestling.com and @NIUWrestling on Twitter. 
 
Promotions
BLACK OUT:  The team will be wearing black and all fans are encouraged to do so as well. Following the meet, the players will be available for autograph signings.
 
MAC RANKINGS
Below are the MAC's January rankings released this past week:

2017 MAC January Weight Class Rankings:
125 – 1. Dylan Peters (Northern Iowa, Senior); 2.  Barlow McGhee (Missouri, Junior); 3. Shakur Laney (Ohio, Sophomore); 4.  Brent Fleetwood (Central Michigan, Junior).
133 – 1. Josh Alber (Northern Iowa, Sophomore); 2. Cameron Kelly (Ohio, Sophomore); 3. Bryan Lantry (Buffalo, Sophomore); 4. Corey Keener (Central Michigan, Senior). 
141 – 1. Jaydin Eierman (Missouri, R-Freshman); 2. Noah Forrider (Ohio, Junior); t-3. Kyle Springer (Eastern Michigan, Junior); t-3. Jake Hodges (Northern Iowa, Junior).
149 – 1. Lavion Mayes (Missouri, Senior); 2. Justin Oliver (Central Michigan, Sophomore); 3. Steve Bleise (Northern Illinois, Sophomore); 4. Max Thomsen (Northern Iowa, R-Freshman).
157 – 1. Joey Lavalle (Missouri, Junior); 2. Colin Heffernan (Central Michigan, Junior); 3. Caden McWhirter (Northern Illinois, R-Freshman); 4. Casey Sparkman (Kent State, Sophomore).
165 – 1. Daniel Lewis (Missouri, Sophomore); 2. Bryce Steiert (Northern Iowa, Sophomore); 3. Austin Reese (Ohio, Sophomore); 4. Seldon Wright (Old Dominion, Sophomore).
174 – 1. Taylor Lujan (Northern Iowa, R-Freshman); 2. C.J. Brucki (Central Michigan, Junior); 3. Trace Engelkes (Northern Illinois, Senior); 4. Jairod James (Kent State, Sophomore). 
184 – 1. Jordan Ellingwood (Central Michigan, Junior); 2. Drew Foster (Northern Iowa, Sophomore); 3. Jack Dechow (Old Dominion, Senior); t-4. Matt Lemanowicz (Missouri, Senior); t-4. Bryce Gorman (Northern Illinois, Sophomore).
197 – 1. J'den Cox (Missouri, Senior); 2. Kevin Beazley (Old Dominion, Junior); 3. Shawn Scott (Northern Illinois, Senior); 4. Bailey Faust (Ohio, R-Freshman).
HWT – 1. Jake Gunning (Buffalo, Sophomore); 2. Gage Hutchison (Eastern Michigan, Junior); 3. Zack Parker (Ohio, Sophomore); 4. Newton Smerchek (Central Michigan, Junior).
  
2017 MAC January Wrestling Rankings
1. Missouri (23.5)
2. Northern Iowa (20.5)
3. Central Michigan (16.0)
4. Ohio (13.0)
5. Northern Illinois (8.5)
t-6. Old Dominion (6.0)
t-6. Buffalo (6.0)
8. Eastern Michigan (4.5)
9. Kent State (2.0)



SIU-E
 
Last Bout
After trailing by 12 team points on two occasions, the Northern Illinois University wrestling team pulled off a remarkable comeback, winning the final three matches to record a 19-18 victory over SIU-E. The Huskies began their rally thanks to a pin by Alijah Jeffery (Marion, Iowa/Linn-Mar) at 125 pounds scoring six team points, No. 14 Steve Bleise (Chelsea, Mich./Chelsea) sealed the comeback with a dominating decision win at 141 pounds to lift NIU to victory. 
 
Scouting the Competition
The Cougars (1-7, 1-1 SoCon) have had a tough schedule thus far, facing teams such as Northwestern, Purdue, Indiana and Appalachian State. Both the SIU-E Cougars and Huskies were at the Midlands Championships, but there was only one bout between the two teams. Saturday's dual will be the third meeting between the Huskies and Cougars.  
 
One-on-one with Steve Bleise
On wrestling two days in a row:
"With these back-to-back duals, it's important to have your weight under control and keep your body healthy. We're in the heart of the season, so feeling good off the scale is crucial to winning."
 
On last year's bout:
"Last year, the dual came down to the wire. Our lightweights really stepped up and closed out the dual. When we have all 10 guys rolling on the same night, we are a tough team to beat."
 
Lineup
Below is the probable lineup for both teams:
 
NIU Huskies (3-3, 0-2 MAC)
125 Brock Hudkins (12-7, 1-1) or Kirk Johansen (1-0, 0-0)
133 Alijah Jeffery (10-8, 1-1)
141 Angel Velasquez (8-7, 1-1) or Anthony Rubino (1-3, 0-0)
149 Steve Bleise (15-5, 1-1)
157 Caden McWhirter (14-5, 2-0)
165 Andrew Scott (4-5, 0-1) or Shaun'Qae McMurtry (3-5, 0-2)
174 Trace Engelkes (8-2, 0-1) or Marco Orlandi (2-2, 0-0)
184 Bryce Gorman (12-7, 0-2) or Michael Aldrich (6-6, 0-0)
197 Shawn Scott (13-3, 1-1)
285 Caleb Gossett (9-8, 0-2)
 
SIUE Cougars (1-7, 1-1 SoCon)
 
125 Freddie Rodriguez (11-5, 1-1)
133 John Muldoon (5-6, 0-1)
141 Trevor Feagans (12-11, 1-1)
149 John Fahy (7-8, 1-1)
157 Karsten Van Velsor (6-15, 0-2)
165 Clayton Bass (11-8, 1-1 - 3-2 at 165)
174 Jake Residori (10-9, 1-1)
184 Jake Godinez (3-18, 0-2)
197 Jake Tindle (13-6, 2-0)
285 Jake McKiernan (17-6, 1-1)
 
Follow the Huskies
Get live results from trackwrestling.com and follow @NIUWrestling for behind the scenes footage and up-to-date action. 
 
Next up on the Mats
The Huskies will host another Mid-American Conference rival, Eastern Michigan, next Friday in DeKalb, Ill. at Victor E. Court and will head to Champaign to face the fighting Illini on Sunday, Jan. 22 at 1 p.m.