AMES, Iowa— The Northern Illinois University wrestling team got off to a solid start, opening its 2017-18 season at the Harold Nichols Cyclone Open on Saturday.  Three Huskie grapplers finished in the top-two in their respective weight classes. 
 
Redshirt-junior Bryce Gorman (Manhattan, Ill./ Lincoln-Way Central) lead the way for the Huskies winning the championship match over league foe Wyatt Koelling of Missouri in a 10-4 decision. 
 
"He brought a fighting mindset today and it paid off," said NIU head wrestling coach Ryan Ludwig. "I was happy with his commitment to grind in crucial positions."
 
Brock Hudkins (Danville, Ind./Danville) wrestled to a second-place finish at 125.  The Huskie sophomore posted an 11-1 major decision over Cole Manion of Grand View in his first match of the day and a 3-1 victory over Zac Gentzler of SIUE. Hudkins suffered a 5-2 setback to Jacob Schwarm of Northern Iowa.   
 
At 133, redshirt-junior Alijah Jeffery (Marion, Iowa/ Linn-Mar) recorded a second-place finish.  Jeffery defeated Darren Eades of Northern Iowa by pin and recorded an 8-3 decision over Cameron Valdiviez of Missouri to advance to the championship match. However, he fell to Iowa State's Ian Parker, 6-1.
 
Overall, Ludwig was impressed by the way his team performed, however he thinks there is room for improvement.  
 
"We competed hard, but need to step it up in small fights," said Ludwig.  "We saw what we needed to work on and we will take to the practice room this week to sharpen."
 
At 125, in the freshman and sophomore division, freshmen Bryce West (Solon, Iowa/ Solon) and Drew West (Solon, Iowa/Solon) faced-off for the championship bout.  Bryce defeated, his twine brother, Drew, in a 6-5 decision for the championship.
 
At 141, in the freshman and sophomore division, freshman Bryce Thurston (Wheaton, Ill./Wheaton North) wrestled his way to a second-place finish.  Thurston fell to Kristian Vazquez of Iowa State by pin fall in that championship bout. 
 
Ludwig is impressed with the way his young wrestlers performed. 
 
"I'm proud of the young guys," he said.  "They brought energy and had a day. Progress is key and they are buying into the process."
 
Senior Quinton Rosser (Cincinnati, Ohio/ Archbishop Moeller) placed fourth at the 174-weight class.  Redshirt-sophomore Michael Aldrich (St. Louis, Mo./ Parkway South) finished in sixth place at the 174-weight class.  Sophomore Max Ihry (Naperville, Ill./Waubonsee Valley) placed in sixth in the 197-weight class. 
 
The Huskie grapplers will travel to Ypsilanti, Michigan, on Saturday Nov. 11, for the Eastern Michigan Open.  Competition starts 9 a.m. CT.
 
--NIU--