'Cats Host Home Opener Against Lock Haven

Friday, December 19

Evanston, Ill.

6 p.m. CT

Northwestern

Lock Haven

'Cats Host Home Opener Against Lock Haven

12/18/2025 5:38:00 PM | Wrestling

EVANSTON, Ill. - Northwestern wrestling (1-1) is back in Evanston and set to host non-conference foe Lock Haven (2-2) in their home opener on Friday evening in Welsh-Ryan Arena. First whistle is set for 6 p.m. CT and action will be streamed on B1G+.

LAST TIME OUT

Northwestern last competed two weekends ago at the prestigious Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational, where three 'Cats reached the podium. Headlining was redshirt first-year Eddie Enright, who placed fifth at 174 lbs in his first career appearance at CKLV. Following the finish, which was the highest by any Northwestern wrestler in the event, Enright was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Week.

Also on the podium were Dedrick Navarro, who placed sixth at 125 lbs, and Sean Spidle, who placed eighth at 133 lbs. En route to the podium, Navarro became one of four 'Cats to beat a higher-ranked wrestler at the tournament, locking up a 17-5 major decision over then-No. 19 Brady Roark (SDSU). First-year Billy Dekraker picked up a pair of ranked victories at 141 lbs, defeating the then-No. 19 and No. 15 wrestlers, while Jacob Bostelman defeated then-No. 17 Dylan Gilcher (Michigan) at 165 lbs, and Enright defeated then-No. 30 Riley Davis (Wyoming).

Following the tournament, Navarro re-entered InterMat's top-25, and Dekraker and Enright both earned the first rankings of their collegiate careers.

SCOUTING LOCK HAVEN

The Bald Eagles enter action in Evanston with a 2-2 record after defeating LIU and Clarion and falling to Indiana and Wisconsin. Most recently, Lock Haven fell to the Badgers 24-11 in Madison on Thursday evening. Despite the loss, No. 22 Wyatt Henson improved his dual record to a perfect 4-0 with a victory at 141 lbs.

Heading into Friday's dual, InterMat ranked three Bald Eagles in the Top 33 at their weight classes: No. 22 Henson (141 lbs), No. 23 Lucas Kapusta (149 lbs) and No. 32 Avery Bassett (174 lbs).

The 'Cats are 0-3 against Lock Haven since the programs' first meeting in 1988. The last time they faced off, in December of 1997, the Bald Eagles came out on top of a 25-15 score.

PROBABLES
NORTHWESTERN
125: #21 Dedrick Navarro
133: #24 Sean Spidle OR Luis Bazan
141: #27 Billy Dekraker OR Giosue Hickman
149: Sam Cartella
157: Gunnar Myers
165: Jacob Bostelman
174: #27 Eddie Enright
184: J.D. Perez
197: Alex Smith
HWT: Gabe Christenson OR Dirk Morley

LOCK HAVEN
125: Curtis Nelson OR Alex Reed
133: Gable Strickland
141: #22 Wyatt Henson OR Conner Heckman
149: #23 Lucas Kapusta
157: Nick Stampoulos OR Chase Burke
165: Ousmane Duncanson
174: #32 Avery Bassett OR Conner Wetzel
184: Sam Gautreau OR Cael Black
197: Tucker Hogan
HWT: Kade Sottolano OR Ethan Miller

* All individual rankings courtesy of InterMat (December 16)

UP NEXT

Following Friday's dual, the Wildcats will gear up to host the 61st Ken Kraft Midlands Championships, set to be hosted in Ryan Fieldhouse on December 29-30. Tickets are on sale now!