Wrestling | March 7

BUFFALO, N.Y.—Markel Baker (Freeport, Ill./Freeport) and Devon Dawson (Brooklyn Park, Minn./Goddard) claimed 2026 Mid-American Conference Titles as the Northern Illinois University Huskies wrestling program wrapped up action at the tournament this afternoon (March 7).
 
Baker's title at 133 pounds was the first for the NIU wrestling program since 2016 when Austin Eicher won the title.
 
Dawson becomes only the second Huskie in NIU history to win the heavyweight title. Dean Schultz claimed the first title back in 1977.
 
Baker and Dawson earned All-MAC First Team honors with their titles while Brett Smith (Troy, Mo./Buchanan) earned All-MAC Second Team honors as he finished in second place at 165 pounds.
 
NIU finished in fifth as a team with 75.5 points in their final Mid-American Conference tournament appearance.
 
With their berths to Cleveland and the NCAA Tournament, Baker and Dawson extend the NIU wrestling program to 55 consecutive years of NCAA qualifiers. It is the third straight year NIU has had two qualifiers.
 
"We are always proud of the way these guys represent NIU Wrestling," said NIU head coach Ryan Ludwig. "They train hard, they live right, and they wrestle to score points. We love these guys and we are incredibly happy for Baker and Dawson who won MAC Titles."
 
Baker took on Will Betancourt of Rider in the title bout. Baker claimed an early escape in the second period before earning riding time in the third for the 2-1 decision victory.
 
For Dawson in the 285 pound bout, it was a rematch from February 20 against SIUE's Bryson Buhk. Dawson got a quick takedown in the first period before a reversal in the second as he led the entire bout. Dawson secured two takedowns in the final period as he claimed the title.
 
At 165 pounds, Smith faced Chris Earnest of Kent State in a rematch from January. Earnest claimed points via an escape and riding time as Smith took second place in his first title bout appearance.
 
Charles Curtis (Canton, Ohio/Perry) collected two wins on the day en route to a third place finish at 141 pounds. Curtis defeated Tate Hisey (George Mason) in a 13-3 major decision, his sixth of the season. In the third place match, Curtis faced Jacob Brenneman of Edinboro, with a first period takedown as he won 4-2. Curtis would battle in the true 2^nd place match, falling in a 15-2 major decision to Elijah Griffin of Rider.
 
A rematch of the 2025 title match was Blake West's (Shakopee, Minn./Shakopee) first bout of the day as he faced Travis Clawson. West claimed an 8-2 win with take downs in the first and third periods. In the consolation semifinals, West met Archer Anderson for the third time this season as each wrestler won once this season. West grabbed an first period takedown and then back-to-back reversals for a 12-9 win. In the third place match, West met Jace Schafer, dropping the match via fall (5:27).
 
Ian Smith (Lake Negabamon, Wis./Northwestern) had a thrilling first match this morning as he defeated Wyatt Ferguson of Central Michigan in a 7-6 decision. Smith would then face Sam Gautreau of Lock Haven for the second time this tournament, dropping the match via technical fall. In the fifth place match, Smith faced Braidon Woodward of Bloomsburg. The bout would go to overtime, as Woodward won via tie-breaker.
 
Also in action for NIU, Collin Arch (Palmyra, Mo./Palmyra) saw his season come to an end at 149 pounds. Arch fell in a major decision to Ryan Michaels of Edinboro.
 
The 2026 NCAA Championships will take place from March 19-21 at the Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse in Cleveland, Ohio. The NCAA will announce At-Large berths on March 10 before the selection show on March 11. The show will air live at 7 p.m. CT on NCAA.com.
 
Follow the Huskies wrestling program on Facebook (NIU Wrestling), X/Twitter (@NIUWrestling), and on Instagram (@NIU_Wrestling).