Wrestling | January 10

CEDAR FALLS, Iowa— Taking fourth place at the 2026 NWCA National Duals, the Northern Illinois University Huskies (4-5) competed against Campbell University and Drexel University inside the UNI-Dome on the campus of the University of Northern Iowa. The Huskies were victorious against the Camels of Campbell, winning 53-0. In the third-place match, the Huskies and Dragons of Drexel met with the Dragons winning 21-12.
 
Markel Baker (Freeport, Ill./Freeport) remained undefeated, collecting a 19-6 major decision win over Logan Heil (Campbell) and a 5-1 decision over Kyle Waterman (Drexel). Landen Johnson (Owatonna, Minn./Owatonna) went 2-0 on the day with a pin over Campbell's Kendrick Hodge and an 8-3 decision over Drexel's Luke Nitcher.
 
Caleb Roe (Arab, Ala./Arab) was undefeated on the day, winning his first match against Brant Cracraft via major decision. Against Drexel's Ethan Wilson, Roe earned a 5-3 decision. Devon Dawson (Brooklyn, Minn./Goddard) pinned Campbell's Sawyer VanRider before getting an 8-5 decision over Drexel's Nate Schon.
 
"We are building toward where we want to be," said NIU head coach Ryan Ludwig. "These guys are wrestling hard. It was fun to be immersed in that team first environment."
 
In the dual against Campbell, Baker and Charles Curtis (Canton, Ohio/Perry) opened action with back-to-back major decisions. Lucan O'Brien (Lakewood, Ohio/St. Edwards) earned the first tech fall of the match as Roe added a third major decision for the Huskies. Dawson, Johnson, and Tommy Bennett (Evergreen Park, Ill./Brother Rice) recorded three falls for NIU in the victory.
 
Baker claimed the first win for NIU against Drexel as the Dragons took three of the first four bouts. Johnson claimed victory at 157 pounds for the Huskies before Roe got the third win of the dual. Dawson grabbed an early lead at 285 pounds as the Huskies dropped the contest to Drexel.
 
NIU Wrestling returns to Victor E. Court as they start Mid-American Conference action on January 16 at 7 p.m. The Huskies will play host to the Chippewas of Central Michigan University with the match streamed on ESPN+.
 
Need more NIU Wrestling?  Follow the Huskies wrestling program on Facebook (NIU Wrestling), X/Twitter (@NIUWrestling), and on Instagram (@NIU_Wrestling).