Wrestling | August 29

DeKALB, Ill.—Northern Illinois University wrestling head coach Ryan Ludwig has announced the signing of 16 student-athletes to join the Huskies in the fall of 2024. The signing class includes five transfers and 11 true freshmen from across the Midwest.
 
"We are thrilled with these additions to the Huskie Wrestling program," said Ludwig. "Each man embodies our values and pursuit to be better in every aspect of life."
 
Markel Baker joins the Huskie wrestling program after spending the 2022-23 and 2023-24 seasons at George Mason University. Baker complied a 33-14 record at George Mason, which included a team high 27-wins in 2023. Baker placed fourth at the 2023 MAC Championships and 5-1 in MAC duals that season. The Freeport, Illinois native is a two-time state champion and three-time conference champion, compiling a 119-12 record. 
 
Charles "Deuce" Curtis is set to join the Huskie wrestling program after competing at Perry High School in Ohio. Curtis is a three-time Ohio Division 1 state placer, finishing in second, fifth, and eighth during his prep career. The native of Canton, Ohio is a four-time Federal League Wrestler of the Year.
 
Devon Dawson is a transfer athlete from North Dakota State University competing as a heavyweight for them during the 2023-24 season. Dawson compiled an overall record of 10-14 and went 4-4 in Big 12 duals. Dawson spent three seasons at Pratt Community College, earning top-5 finishes all three years at the NJCAA Championships. The Brooklyn Park, Minnesota native placed in both the Georgia and Kansas state tournaments in high school.
 
Camren French comes from Mariner High School in Cape Coral, Florida. French posted a record of 54-1 during his high school career while earning All-Area accolades. The Mattoon, Illinois native has spent time volunteering as a club coach for youth wrestling.
 
Dominic Heim joins the Huskies from Shakopee High School in Minnesota. Heim took third at the Minnesota State Championships his junior and senior seasons after taking fifth (freshman) and fourth (sophomore) seasons. Heim was a four-time All-Conference member in wrestling and a two-time All-Area member. Additionally, the Shakopee, Minnesota native earned football All-Conference and All-Area honors twice.
 
Landen Johnson comes to the Huskies after spending the previous two seasons at North Dakota State University. Last season, Johnson went 11-12 at 157 pounds and competed at the Big 12 Championships. Johnson went 5-2 in Big 12 duals after redshirting his first season for the Bison. The Owatonna, Minnesota native went 13-3 between 157 and 165 pounds his redshirt season.
 
Jacob Luce makes his debut as a Huskie after competing for DeKalb High School during his high school career. Luce's senior season saw him post a record of 44-4 and took fifth at the State Tournament. Luce claimed three other top-3 finishes throughout his senior season and took first at the conference tournament. The DeKalb, Illinois native was an All-State and All-Conference honoree during his high school career.
 
Spencer Mooberry joins the Huskies after spending the previous three seasons at North Dakota State University. Mooberry compiled a record of 19-20 overall, 5-10 in duals action, and 3-6 in Big 12 Duals. Mooberry's record includes 30 takedowns, and two major decision victories as well as being named to the Academic All-Big 12 Second Team in 2023. Mooberry competed at 197 pounds for the Bison, going 1-2 at the Big 12 Championships in 2024. The Osage, Iowa native was the state champion at 182 pounds his senior season and a prep record of 180-35.
 
Lucan O'Brien comes to the Huskies from St. Edward High School in Ohio. O'Brien was a two-time state placer, taking fifth in his junior and senior seasons. O'Brien was a member of a four-time team state champion, while helping his prep squad to two undefeated seasons. The Lakewood, Ohio native is an All-Ohio team member and earned All-Ohio academic honors twice.
 
Talan Parsons comes to the Huskies from Ovid-Esie High School in Michigan. Parsons is a two-time Michigan High School State at 113 pounds champion in 2023-24 and the 106 pounds champions in 2021-22. Parsons holds his school record for most wins and pins (150-plus pins) and a high school record of 155-4. The Ovid-Elsie native was also the state runner-up in his freshman and junior seasons.
 
Damarion Ross joins the Huskies from Fort Dodge High School (Iowa). Ross was the state champion at the Division 3 level his senior year, going 42-4 that season. Ross placed at state three consecutive years and placed at district competitions all four years. Accumulating a record of 140-34, the Fort Dodge, Iowa native was a member of a team that had back-to-back top-5 finishes at the state level in team and dual championships.  
           
Tyler Schofield is set to join the Huskie wrestling program after competing at Olivet High School in Michigan. Schofield is the 2023-24 Michigan Division 3 state champion at 165 pounds and placed all four years at state in his high school career. The Olivet, Michigan native accumulated a record of 170-15 with 121 pins in four years and earned All-American status with his wrestling clubs.
 
Ian Smith is set to join the Huskies after competing at Northwestern High School in Maple, Wisconsin. Smith posted a 132-7 record during his high school career, was a state finalist four times, and a two-time state champion in Wisconsin. Smith placed sixth at the U20 2024 US Open Freestyle, eighth in the U20 US Open Greco, fifth at the 2021 Fargo Greco 16U, and third in 2022 at the Fargo Greco Junior. The native of Lake Nebagamon, Wisconsin was a three-time MVP and team captain as well as earning All-State honors for football in 2023.
 
Spencer Steiner joins NIU Wrestling after competing at Central Michigan University. Steiner was the California State Runner-Up in 2021 and finished in the top-3 twice during his high school career. Steiner volunteers as a club wrestling coach in his community. The Fresno, California native comes from an athletic family, as his parents competed at the University of Iowa (Dad-Wrestling, Mom-Track/Cross Country) and his sister competes at UW-Parkside in Track/Cross Country.
 
Tee Ward comes to NIU from Fremont High School where he was the state champion in Michigan his senior season at 138 pounds. Ward was the 2023 Freestyle State Champion, while compiling a record of 194-12. Ward, who comes from Fremont, Michigan, holds the Fremont High School record for most wins in both wrestling and soccer.
 
Calvin Werden comes to the Huskies from Western Reserve Academy in Ohio. Werden is a two-time National Preps placer while compiling an 106-18 record in high school. Werden is a two-time All-American from National Preps. Werden, a native of Willoughby, Ohio, is also a Beast of the East All-American.
 
The 2023-24 Huskies finished the season with a 13-2 record, going undefeated at home for the first time in over 20 years. The Huskies earned the MAC West Division Title and sent two wrestlers to the NCAA tournament, marking 53-straight years of a Huskie at NCAA's.