Wrestling | December 30

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. – The Northern Illinois University wrestling team (4-2) scored 40 team points and finished 13 out of the 46 teams participating at the prestigious 58th Ken Kraft Midlands Championships. Blake West and Jaivon Jones made noise in their respective consolation brackets while Izzak Olejnik finished fourth in the 165 division to pace NIU.

"Midlands is always a good experience," said head coach Ryan Ludwig. "We made out with some quality wins and a lot of Info about where we need to be moving forward."

West took on Jacob Moran (Indiana) in the 125 consolation bracket, only his fourth bout of the event. West fought valiantly, but ultimately dropped the contest in overtime.

Jones faced Sammy Alvarez (Rutgers) in the 141 consolation bracket after dismantling four-straight opponents yesterday. Alvarez however put up a good fight and won the match 4-1, eliminating Jones from competition.

Olejnik's path to fourth place picked up in the 165 championship bracket's semifinals against Dean Hamiti (Wisconsin). Both wrestlers fought hard, but it was Hamiti who emerged with the 6-0 win.

Olejnik later beat Nathan Lackman (Rhode Island) 5-2 to advance in the consolation bracket against Dan Braunagel (Illinois). Braunagel won due to a medical as Olejnik settled fourth.

The Huskies are next in action Jan. 7 in sunny Riverside Calif. where they'll face South Dakota State (1-2) and Cal Baptist (1-4) in a single-day event at Van Dyne Gym.