Wrestling | February 13

EVANSTON, Ill.—The Northern Illinois University wrestling team (9-6, 4-1 MAC) capped its non-conference schedule with a 28-9 victory over the Northwestern University Wildcats (3-8, 1-6 Big Ten) this evening (February 13). 
 
This is the second win by the Huskies over the Wildcats in the last three seasons.
 
Charles Curtis (Canton, Ohio/Perry) got his first win over a ranked wrestler, posting a 7-5 decision over Billy DeKraker in the 141-pound bout. DeKraker is ranked by Intermat and WrestleStat at No. 32.
 
"Our guys showed up and put their foot on the line," said NIU head coach Ryan Ludwig. "I'm proud of the way they competed. We have to keep trending up as we move forward."
 
Action this evening started with a forfeit at 125 as Blake West (Shakopee, Minn./Shakopee) earned six points for the Huskies. Markel Baker (Freeport, Ill./Freeport) kept his winning streak alive, defeating Luis Bazan in a 7-2 decision. Baker and West are ranked in three polls with their highest rankings coming from WrestleStat at No. 17 and No. 19 respectively.
 
Collin Arch (Palmyra, Mo./Palmyra) cruised to a 9-4 victory over August Hilber as NIU led 15-0 up to that point. The Huskies dropped the bout at 157 before Brett Smith (Troy, Mo./Buchanan) got a 10-3 decision.

The Wildcats forfeited the match at 174, giving Tommy Bennett (Evergreen Park, Ill./Brother Rice) the victory as Ian Smith (Lake Nebagamon, Wis./Northwestern) took the mat at 184 pounds. Smith battled to sudden victory, dropping the bout 8-5 to Northwestern's J.D. Perez. 
 
At 197 pounds, Dominic Heim (Shakopee, Minn./Shakopee) battled Alex Smith. Smith held off a second period takedown to defeat Heim, 6-5.
 
Devon Dawson (Brooklyn Park, Minn./Goddard) represented the Huskies at 285 pounds this evening. Dawson, who is ranked No. 20 by Intermat, faced off against Gabe Christenson. With a 16-4 major decision, Dawson claimed his seventh major decision win of the season and kept his unbeaten record in dual matches strong.
 
The Huskies will conclude the dual season on Friday, February 20 as they host SIUE in a Mid-American Conference dual. Friday's dual will also be the Huskies' annual "Beauty and the Beast" dual as the NIU gymnastics team will be in action. Both events are set to start at 7 p.m. in the NIU Convocation Center.
 
Need more NIU Wrestling? Follow the team on Facebook (NIU Wrestling), X/Twitter (@NIUWrestling), and on Instagram (@NIU_Wrestling).