Wrestling | February 19

DeKALB, Ill.—The Northern Illinois University wrestling program will host their final regular season dual on Friday, February 20, as SIUE comes to the NIU Convocation Center.
 
Action will start at 7 p.m. as the Huskies host their annual "Beauty and the "Beast" dual alongside the NIU gymnastics program. The Huskies will honor their senior class prior to the dual.
 
Friday's dual will determine the 2026 Mid-American Conference West Division champion as both teams hold a 4-1 record in conference duals. NIU has won the last 12 meetings between the programs.
 
SIUE comes into the dual, boasting a 10-2 overall record. The Cougars have three wrestlers ranked at 133 pounds (Marcel Lopez), 149 pounds (Caleb Tyus), and 165 pounds (Brock Woodcock).
 
The Huskies (9-6 overall) are coming off back-to-back road wins, including a 28-9 win over the Northwestern Wildcats on February 13. Charles Curtis (Canton, Ohio/Perry) got his first win over a ranked wrestler, posting a 7-5 decision over then No. 32 Billy DeKraker in the 141-pound bout. NIU won the first four bouts before winning three of the last six to end non-conference action
 
Redshirt junior Markel Baker (Freeport, Ill./Freeport) has not lost a dual since January 9, marking an 11-bout win streak. Blake West (Shakopee, Minn./Shakopee) is on a six-bout win streak in his final season while Devon Dawson (Brooklyn Park, Minn./Goddard) has won 10 straight duals at heavyweight for the Huskies.
 
Baker, West, and Dawson are currently ranked in three polls. West and Baker see their highest ranks come via WrestleStat at No. 20 and No. 16 respectively while Intermat and FloWrestling place Dawson at No. 20 in the nation.
 
Be sure to follow NIU Wrestling on Facebook (NIU Wrestling), X/Twitter (@NIUWrestling), and on Instagram (@NIU_Wrestling) and never miss a minute of the action.