ST. CHARLES, Mo.– The Northern Illinois wrestling team concludes its open schedule with a bang as three Huskies placed in the top three in their respective weight classes at the Lindenwood Open on Saturday.
 
"We competed hard," said NIU head wrestling coach Ryan Ludwig.  "We've seen a lot in the past three weekends and we know what we need to work on."
 
Freshman Breyden Bailey (Fishers, Ind./Cathedral) won the freshman and sophomore division at 141 by a 9-2 decision over Patrick Murphy of the University of Iowa. The Huskie freshman's ride to the championship included a major decision 8-0 victory over Bryce Sheffer of Southern Illinois at Edwardsville. 
 
"He came out far more aggressive this weekend," said Ludwig.  "He displayed confidence and a midset to score all day."  
 
At 125, sophomore Brock Hudkins wrestled to a third-place finish defeating Jonathon Marmolejo of Iowa State by a 5-1 decision. Hudkins defeated Elijah Hale of Oklahoma State by a 7-4 decision in the second round, but suffered a setback, losing to Mid-American Conference foe Barlow McGhee of Missouri, 3-2.  
 
Continuing a strong start to the 2017-18 season, freshman Brit Wilson (Mexico, Mo./Mexico) wrestled to a second-place finish in the freshman and sophomore division at 174.  The Huskie freshman started strong with a fall victory over Corban Watson of Hannibal-LaGrange University at 1:27 and a tech fall win over Jacob Mintzmyer of Northeastern Oklahoma A&M, 16-0.  However, Wilson suffered his first loss of the season falling to Marcus Coleman of Iowa State by a 9-3 decision.  Wilson is 11-1 this season. 
 
At 174, senior Quinton Rosser (Cincinnati, Ohio/Archbishop Moeller) finishes in fourth place.  Rosser defeated Alex Destra of Missouri Valley by a major decision, 16-2, in his opening match. However, Rosser suffered two losses versus Lucas Lovvorn of Baker University, 11-4, in the second round and 8-4 in the third-place bout.
 
Redshirt-sophomore Michael Aldrich (St. Louis, Mo./Parkway South) placed fifth at 174, losing to Daniel Tipton of Missouri Valley in a 5-2 decision.  At 285, redshirt-sophomore Caleb Gossett wrestled to a fifth-place finish, defeating Marcus Harrington of Iowa State in a 7-3 decision. 
 
"It's the little things," said Ludwig. " We will continue to polish and mend up as we move toward the IU Duals."
 
The Huskies open its dual schedule with a trip to Bloomington, Ind. for the Hoosier Duals on Saturday Dec. 2 at 9 a.m. CST. 
 
--NIU--