DeKALB, Ill. – The Northern Illinois University wrestling team continues its busy schedule with two more Mid-American Conference duals this weekend. The Huskies will first travel to Kent, Ohio to take on the Golden Flashes of Kent State on Friday, Jan. 27 at 7 p.m. The Huskies will then make the trip to Mount Pleasant, Mich. to face No. 22 Central Michigan at 1 p.m. on Sunday, Jan. 29.
Below is a look into both Kent State and Central Michigan and how they will match up against the Huskies.
Kent State
Last Bout
The Huskies were able steal four duals against No. 19 Kent State during last year's match-up (2/5).
Alijah Jeffery (Marion, Iowa/Linn-Mar) led off the Huskies with a 4-1 decision at 125-pounds and No. 15
Steve Bleise (Chelsea, Mich./Chelsea) posted a 8-5 victory at 141 to take the lead for NIU. But the dual turned in favor of the Golden Flashes when No. 18 Mike DePalma and No. 2 Ian Miller posted back-to-back wins at 149 and 157 pounds.
Scouting the Competition
Kent State is currently 2-9 (0-3 MAC). In a recent release from the MAC, the Golden Flashes are ranked eighth, with their top wrestler, Casey Sparkman at 157-pounds, ranked third.
Coaches Corner
"The travel brings our team closer together as we bond well on the road," said head wrestling coach
Ryan Ludwig. "Our focus is Friday at Kent and stepping on that mat ready to compete."
Lineup
Below are the probable lineups for both teams:
NIU Huskies (5-5, 1-3 MAC)
125:
Brock Hudkins (12-7)
OR
Kirk Johansen (3-2,)
133:
Alijah Jeffery (11-11)
141:
Angel Velasquez (9-10)
149: No. 13
Steve Bleise (19-5)
157: No. 31
Caden McWhirter (14-9)
165:
Andrew Scott (4-6)
OR
Shaun'Qae McMurtry (4-7)
174: No. 25
Trace Engelkes (12-2)
184:
Bryce Gorman (14-8)
OR
Michael Aldrich (6-7)
197: No. 11
Shawn Scott (17-3)
285:
Caleb Gossett (9-12)
Kent State (2-9, 0-3 MAC)
125: Cory Simpson (9-15)
133: No. 23 Anthony Tutolo (17-5)
141: Chance Driscoll (17-11)
149: Tim Rooney (16-16)
157: No. 30 Casey Sparkman (18-8)
165: Isaac Bast (8-9)
174: Jared Walker (14-14)
184: Jerald Spohn (12-13) or Shane Mast (13-11)
197: Stephen Suglio (16-13)
285: Devin Nye (13-15)
*Rankings from NCAA Coaches' Panel
Central Michigan
Last Bout
Last year, the Northern Illinois University wrestling team dropped its Mid-American Conference opener to No. 19 Central Michigan (12/3), 39-3.
Shawn Scott (Holly, Mich./Holly) picked up the Huskies' only win against the nationally-ranked Chippewas. Scott defeated Jackson Lewis by a 5-3 decision, capturing his 10th win of the season.
Scouting the Competition
The Chippewas are currently ranked 22nd in the nation, according to Intermat rankings released on Jan. 24th. Central Michigan carries a strong team with a lot of depth, led by No. 6 Justin Oliver (20-4) at 149-pounds. Oliver is one of four top-20 wrestlers for the Chippewas. The Northern Illinois University wrestling team is 12-27 overall against Central Michigan.
Coaches Corner
"Our plan stays pretty consistent in that we focus on our own strengths and minimizing mistakes," said Ludwig. "We learn and make adjustments from the past week's performance."
Lineup
Below are the probable lineups for both teams:
NIU Huskies (5-5, 1-3 MAC)
125:
Brock Hudkins (12-7, 1-1)
OR
Kirk Johansen (3-2, 1-1)
133:
Alijah Jeffery (11-11, 2-2)
141:
Angel Velasquez (9-10, 1-3)
149: No. 13
Steve Bleise (19-5, 3-1)
157: No. 31
Caden McWhirter (14-9, 2-2)
165:
Andrew Scott (4-6, 0-2)
OR
Shaun'Qae McMurtry (4-7, 0-3)
174: No. 25
Trace Engelkes (12-2, 2-1)
184:
Bryce Gorman (14-8, 1-2)
OR
Michael Aldrich (6-7, 0-1)
197: No. 11
Shawn Scott (17-3, 3-1)
285:
Caleb Gossett (9-12, 1-3)
No. 22 Central Michigan (3-2, 1-2 MAC)
125: Brent Fleetwood (12-6)
133: Corey Keener (12-6)
141: Mason Smith (13-7)
OR Kyle Noonan (5-3)
149: No. 6 Justin Oliver (20-4)
157: No. 8 Colin Heffernan (20-5)
165: Logan Parks (9-12)
174: No. 19 CJ Brucki (20-5)
184: No. 16 Jordan Ellingwood (18-5)
197: Austin Severn (17-4)
285: Newton Smerchek (16-7),
OR Tyrus Kemp
Follow the Huskies
You can watch the Huskies at
kentstatesports.com on Fridaynight and ESPN3 on Sunday afternoon versus Central Michigan or get up-to-date results from
trackwrestling.com and @NIUWrestling on Twitter.
