Wrestling | March 7

DeKALB, Ill.—After winning the MAC West Division title, the Northern Illinois University Huskies wrestling program is set for competition at the 2024 Mid-American Conference Championships, March 8-9 in Kent, Ohio. The Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center on Kent State's campus will serve as the championship site.
 
Action will start at 12 p.m. on March 8 with the opening round of the tournament. The final bracket will be released on Thursday evening (March 7). Fans can view live streaming and live results, can be found on the 2024 MAC Wrestling Championship Central page.
 
The Huskies last won the MAC title in 1985. NIU has crowned 46 MAC Champions since 1975 and six since the 2020 season.
 
Seven wrestlers for the Huskies earned pre-seeds in the tournament. Blake West (Shakopee, Minn./Shakopee), Jacob Brya (St. Johns, Mich./St. Johns), and Matt Zuber (Chicago, Ill./Fenwick) are seeded at No. 2 at 125, 141, and 184 respectively.
 
Jacobi Jackson (St. Louis, Mo./Desmet Jesuit) earned the No. 3 seed at 285, while Jaivon Jones (Shaker Heights, Ohio/Nordonia) is No. 4 at 149 pounds. Michael Kaminski (Lockport, Ill./Lockport) and Tulga Zuunbayan (Mongolia/Rolling Meadows) earn the No. 7 see at 133 and 157 pounds.
 
West and Jones both placed third at the MAC Championships in 2023.
 
"The guys have prepared well," said NIU head coach Ryan Ludwig. "Their support of one another has been strong all season and continues to strength heading into this weekend. We are looking forward to the onset of the tournament."
 
Rankings Check
 
In the NCAA Coaches poll, released on February 29, two Huskies were ranked. Jaivon Jones is ranked No. 33 at 149 pounds while Jacobi Jackson is ranked No. 29 at 285 pounds.
 
In the RPI rankings, three Huskies received recognition. Blake West sits at No. 24 at 125 pounds, while Jones comes in at No. 18 at 149 pounds. Matt Zuber rounds out the trio, sitting at No. 25 at 184 pounds.
 
The Huskies are ranked No. 12 in the NWCA Mid-Major Poll (released on February 28) and are receiving votes in the NWCA Coaches Poll, released on February 27.  
 
Last Time Out
 
On February 23, 2024, with a 22-13 win over SIUE, the Huskies completed their first undefeated home season in 43 years. The Huskies have had undefeated seasons four times: 1973-74, 1977-78, 1978-79, and 2023-24.
 
The Huskies won the MAC West division outright for the first time since the conference split into wrestling divisions.
 
Championship Schedule (All Times Central)

Friday, March 8
10:57 am | National Anthem
11:00 am | Opening Round (50 Matches, 4 Mats)
1:00 pm   | Championship Quarterfinals (40 Matches, 3 Mats)
                | Consolation Round 1 (10 Matches, 1 Mats)
4:00 pm   | Championship Semifinals (20 Matches, 2 Mat)
                  Consolation Round 2 (40 Matches, 2 Mats)
                  (Consolation Round 2 moves to all four mats once Semifinals are concluded)
 
Saturday, March 9
10:30 am | Consolation Quarterfinals (20 Matches, 4 Mats)
12:00 pm   | Consolation Semifinals (20 Matches, 4 Mats)
1:50 pm   | Championship Finals Parade & Face off Introductions
1:57 pm   | National Anthem
2:00 pm   | Championship Finals
                 | 3^rd Place, 5^th Place, 7^th Place Matches and 9^thPlace matches where applicable (4 Mats) 
                 NCAA Qualifying Spot Matches to follow if necessary