Wrestling | January 20

DeKALB, IL – The Northern Illinois University wrestling team wraps up a three-match homestand this weekend at Victor E. Court as the Huskies host Central Michigan on Friday, Jan. 21 at 6 p.m. and the #17 Oklahoma Sooners on Sunday, Jan. 23 at 12 p.m. Both duals will be broadcast on ESPN+.
 
NIU (4-5, 1-2 MAC) looks to get back in the win column in Mid-American Conference action Friday night against the Chippewas. The Huskies dropped a 27-10 dual against Ohio last Saturday, getting a bonus point win at 197 pounds with Tristan Guaman's (Wheeling, Ill./Wheeling) 12-2 major decision. Mason Kauffman (Stratford, Wis./Stratford/Eastern Michigan) won his ninth match out of the last 11 with a 3-2 win over the #19-ranked 174-pounder Sal Perrine of Ohio 3-2. That victory vaulted Kauffman to #20 in Intermat's rankings for the 174-pound weight class.
 
Central Michigan (5-2, 1-0 MAC) comes to DeKalb on a four-match winning streak. The Chippewas won all three of their duals last Sunday in their home Chippewa Challenge, defeating CSU Bakersfield 31-6, American 36-3 and Campbell 19-15. Central Michigan opened its MAC slate with a 24-12 win over Rider on Dec. 3.
 
Oklahoma (5-2, 2-1 Big 12) is also on a winning streak after winning three duals at Virginia last weekend against Lock Haven, Kent State and Maryland. The defending Big 12 co-champions are the first ranked wrestling team to come to DeKalb since NIU hosted Illinois on Dec. 7, 2018. NIU and Oklahoma will be meeting on the mat in a dual for the first time since the year 2000 on Sunday.
 
--NIU--