Northwestern University Athletics
Friday, February 13
Evanston, Ill.
7 p.m. CT
Northwestern
vs
Northern Illinois
Photo by: Henry Frieman/Northwestern Athletics
'Cats Close Dual Season, Host NIU, No. 10 Illinois
2/12/2026 7:29:00 PM | Wrestling
EVANSTON, Ill. – The Northwestern wrestling team (3-7, 1-6 Big Ten) concludes its regular-season slate this weekend with a Senior Day test against Northern Illinois (8-6, 4-1 MAC) on Friday and a Big Ten battle against Illinois (11-4, 4-2 Big Ten) on Sunday.
Friday's dual is set to begin at 7 p.m. CT and will be streamed on B1G+, while Sunday's finale will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network at 1 p.m. CT.
LAST TIME OUT
The Wildcats fell on the road in Lincoln Sunday afternoon, battling No. 5 Nebraska in its final away dual. Facing six top-10 ranked Huskers, the Wildcats were outmatched on the mat despite some close starts, falling 47-0.
Sophomore Eddie Enright highlighted the 'Cats' efforts with an early takedown of No. 4 Christopher Minto at 174, but eventually lost in a 6-3 decision.
SCOUTING NORTHERN ILLINOIS
Northern Illinois enters Friday's dual as the No. 1 team in the MAC's West Division with a 4-1 conference record. The Huskies are one of just four teams in the conference with one MAC loss or fewer. They are also 4-3 in nonconference duals this season.
The Huskies are coming off a 29-11 dual win over Buffalo last Friday night. At 133, No. 29 Markel Baker, who is a three-time MAC West Wrestler of the Week this season, won his 10th consecutive match as he claimed his fourth technical fall victory of the season. Baker defeated Troy Guerra 17-2 in just over three minutes, remaining undefeated in MAC action. Heavyweight No. 20 Devon Dawson, another MAC West Wrestler of the Week, earned his ninth straight win, defeating Magnus Bibla in a 5-1 decision. Redshirt senior Blake West also appears in the Intermat rankings for Northern Illinois, coming in at No. 30 in the 125 class.
In December, NU first-year Billy Dekraker kicked off the Midlands Championships with a dominant 18-1 technical fall over redshirt first-year Tee Ward of NIU.
SCOUTING ILLINOIS
Sitting underneath undefeated Penn State and Ohio State teams in the Big Ten standings, Illinois is in a tie for the No. 3 spot with a 4-2 Big Ten record. The No. 10 Illini have won three consecutive Big Ten duals, including victories over No. 14 Rutgers and No. 25 Indiana.
Most recently, Illinois took down Purdue 28-6 on Sunday with eight wins in 10 bouts. No. 16 Spencer Moore began the night with a win at 125 pounds to remain a perfect 5-0 in conference duals, while top-ranked Lucas Byrd at 133 won a narrow 5-4 decision over then-No. 33 Blake Boarman to move to 15-0 this season.
Dating back to 1993, NU is 6-21-1 in duals against Illinois. The 'Cats are looking for their first victory over the Illini since Jan. 20, 2023, when they won 18-17 in Evanston.
UP NEXT
After concluding the dual season, the 'Cats will look on to postseason action. Last year, the Wildcats scored a 12th-place finish at the Big Ten Championships. Sam Cartella and Dedrick Navarro both reached the 9th-place match in their respective classes in last year's tournament, highlighting the efforts from returning 'Cats' wrestlers.
Postseason action at the Big Ten Championships begins March 7 in State College, Pa.
Friday's dual is set to begin at 7 p.m. CT and will be streamed on B1G+, while Sunday's finale will be broadcast on the Big Ten Network at 1 p.m. CT.
LAST TIME OUT
The Wildcats fell on the road in Lincoln Sunday afternoon, battling No. 5 Nebraska in its final away dual. Facing six top-10 ranked Huskers, the Wildcats were outmatched on the mat despite some close starts, falling 47-0.
Sophomore Eddie Enright highlighted the 'Cats' efforts with an early takedown of No. 4 Christopher Minto at 174, but eventually lost in a 6-3 decision.
SCOUTING NORTHERN ILLINOIS
Northern Illinois enters Friday's dual as the No. 1 team in the MAC's West Division with a 4-1 conference record. The Huskies are one of just four teams in the conference with one MAC loss or fewer. They are also 4-3 in nonconference duals this season.
The Huskies are coming off a 29-11 dual win over Buffalo last Friday night. At 133, No. 29 Markel Baker, who is a three-time MAC West Wrestler of the Week this season, won his 10th consecutive match as he claimed his fourth technical fall victory of the season. Baker defeated Troy Guerra 17-2 in just over three minutes, remaining undefeated in MAC action. Heavyweight No. 20 Devon Dawson, another MAC West Wrestler of the Week, earned his ninth straight win, defeating Magnus Bibla in a 5-1 decision. Redshirt senior Blake West also appears in the Intermat rankings for Northern Illinois, coming in at No. 30 in the 125 class.
In December, NU first-year Billy Dekraker kicked off the Midlands Championships with a dominant 18-1 technical fall over redshirt first-year Tee Ward of NIU.
SCOUTING ILLINOIS
Sitting underneath undefeated Penn State and Ohio State teams in the Big Ten standings, Illinois is in a tie for the No. 3 spot with a 4-2 Big Ten record. The No. 10 Illini have won three consecutive Big Ten duals, including victories over No. 14 Rutgers and No. 25 Indiana.
Most recently, Illinois took down Purdue 28-6 on Sunday with eight wins in 10 bouts. No. 16 Spencer Moore began the night with a win at 125 pounds to remain a perfect 5-0 in conference duals, while top-ranked Lucas Byrd at 133 won a narrow 5-4 decision over then-No. 33 Blake Boarman to move to 15-0 this season.
Dating back to 1993, NU is 6-21-1 in duals against Illinois. The 'Cats are looking for their first victory over the Illini since Jan. 20, 2023, when they won 18-17 in Evanston.
UP NEXT
After concluding the dual season, the 'Cats will look on to postseason action. Last year, the Wildcats scored a 12th-place finish at the Big Ten Championships. Sam Cartella and Dedrick Navarro both reached the 9th-place match in their respective classes in last year's tournament, highlighting the efforts from returning 'Cats' wrestlers.
Postseason action at the Big Ten Championships begins March 7 in State College, Pa.
Players Mentioned
Wrestling - Four 'Cats Earn Bonus Points as Northwestern Downs Maryland in Big Ten Opener (1/9/26)
Saturday, January 10
Wrestling - 'Cats Take Down Wisconsin, 27-11, on Senior Night (2/14/25)
Saturday, February 15
Wrestling - Seven 'Cats Claim Victory in 27-12 Win Over Michigan State (2/8/25)
Saturday, February 08
Wrestling - 'Cats Tame Mustangs, Take Down Cal Poly 29-14 (12/19/24)
Friday, December 20
