NIU to Take on 21st-Ranked Kent State Friday Night

http://niuhuskies.cstv.com/sports/m-wres...07aaa.html

Jan. 25, 2007

Quote:DeKalb, IL - The Northern Illinois wrestling squad will put their 2-0 record in MAC competition on the line against 21st-ranked Kent State (12-1, 1-0) on Friday night at 6:05 P.M. CST in Kent, OH. NIU will also look to improve upon its 3-2 overall mark with an upset bid against KSU in this pivotal MAC match up.

Kent State is NIU's third nationally ranked opponent this year including 9th-ranked Northwestern and 11th-ranked Wisconsin. The Golden Flashes earned their top 25 status by compiling an impressive 12-1 record in dual meets, including a win over 25th-ranked Ohio State.

The previous two meetings between the Huskies and the Golden Flashes have been very competitive. Earlier this year at the Cliff Keen Invitational in Las Vegas, NIU finished 24th, tied with Kent State for the top position among MAC schools competing at the event.

Last years meet in DeKalb ended in a 16-16 tie and this years meet promises to be just as close as each team boasts four nationally ranked wrestlers and multiple wrestlers ranked in the top four of the MAC rankings.

In a meet full of marquee match-ups the top match-up may be in the 125-pound division. The match pits NIU's Pat Castillo, ranked as high as 17th nationally, versus 19th ranked Chad Sportelli from KSU. Castillo has won the last two matches against Sportelli including a double over-time thriller in the Cliff Keen Invitational this year.

The 184-pound division should feature another sensationally match up between Duke Burk, ranked as high as 17th nationally, and Eric Chine of KSU, ranked as high as 20th nationally. Burk is ranked 2nd in the Individual MAC Rankings and Chine is right behind him in the third slot.

"Kent State is one of our toughest meets of the year," said head coach Dave Grant. He also said the key to victory is to, "Get them to wrestle our style, pick up the pace."

NIU's next event is February 4, 2007 at 12 P.M. against Northern Iowa and Old Dominion at Cedar Falls, IA.

How many D1 wrestling teams are there? It seems like the MAC is great in wrestling.

HuskiemobileMan Wrote:How many D1 wrestling teams are there? It seems like the MAC is great in wrestling.

You're right about the MAC being really good in Wrestling. Half of the MAC ended up ranked last season (NIU, Kent State, and Central Michigan). Right now, I know Central Michigan and Kent State are ranked. Only reason NIU is not ranked is because we played a tough schedule and because we competed in mostly big meets (Kaufman/Brand Open, Pointer Open, Cliff Keen Invitational, Midlands Championships). Those meets have absolutely no effect on your Wins-Losses. We've only actually played four individual schools (Wisconsin, Northwestern, Ohio, and Buffalo).

There are 64 D1 Wrestling teams.

NIU lost to Kent State tonight after starting off with a 9-0 lead. Kent State won 22-12 final.