YPSILANTI, Mich. ­-- The Northern Illinois wrestling team continues its strong start to its 2017-18 season as five grapplers finished in the top-three in their respective weight classes at the EMU Open on Saturday. 
 
"We wrestled hard and [the] guys came out to score," said NIU head wrestling coach Ryan Ludwig. "We are improving and that's exactly what we are looking for right now."
 
Freshman Brit Wilson (Mexico, Mo./Mexico) won the freshman and sophomore division championship at the 174-weight class by a 6-2 decision over Purdue University's Anthony Falbo.  This is Wilson's second consecutive win at 174 as he was victorious at last week's Iowa State Open.  Wilson's ride to the championship included a 10-1 major decision victory over league foe Jack Marsh of Eastern Michigan in the quarterfinals. 
 
"Brit Wilson racks up his second tournament championship in as many weeks and was dominant all day," said Ludwig. "He's making gains."
 
Sophomore Brock Hudkins (Danville, Ind./Danville) wrestled to a second-place finish at 125.  The Huskie sophomore posted a 2-0 decision over Benny Gomez of Muskegon CC and a 7-3 decision over Josh Kramer of Arizona State to reach the championship.  However, Hudkins suffered a 6-5 defeat by Drew Mattin of Michigan in the final. 
 
"Hudkins reached the finals yet again and continues to be a consistent performer," said Ludwig. 
 
At 165, sophomore Kenny Moore (San Diego, Calif./Hoover) placed third.  Moore won on the first tiebreaker over Cleveland State's John Vaughn 3-2. 
 
At 174, senior Quinton Rosser (Cincinnati, Ohio/ Archbishop Moeller) claimed third. In the third place bout, Rosser beat North Carolina's Devin Kane in a 9-7 decision after going to the consolation bracket after falling to Caleb Stockmaster of Cleveland State, 8-6.  In the quarterfinals, Rosser defeated nationally-ranked Drew Hughes of Michigan State, 5-3.
 
"Rosser had a nice win over top-ten ranked Drew Hughes," said Ludwig.   "Quinton is finding his stride."
 
In the freshman and sophomore division, freshman Bryce West (Solon, Iowa/ Solon) wrestled to a second-place finish at 125.  West won by a fall versus Brady Koontz of Ohio State, but suffered a minor setback by losing in a major decision by Rayvon Foley of Michigan State 23-12. 
 
Redshirt-junior Alijah Jeffery (Marion, Iowa/ Linn-Mar) placed fourth at 133.  Dresden Simon of Central Michigan defeated Jeffery in an 8-3 decision in the third place bout.  Freshman Drew West (Solon, Iowa) placed fourth at 125 in the freshman and sophomore division.  West lost to Brady Koontz of Ohio State in the third place match by an 8-5 decision. 
 
The Huskies will be back in action next Saturday Nov. 18 in St. Charles, Mo. for the Lindenwood Open.  Competition starts at 9 a.m. CT. 
 
--NIU--