Nov. 14, 2008

DeKALB - The Northern Illinois wrestling team begins its dual meet season, Saturday, at the inaugural Boilermaker Challenge.

The Huskies will start the year against Campbellsville, and will face Tennessee-Chattanooga and Purdue later in the day.

"This is a great event, where we'll face the level of competition that will help prepare us for the conference meets," head coach Dave Grant said.

Campbellsville, located in Kentucky, is the 18th ranked team in the preseason NAIA Coaches Poll. UT-Chattanooga is receiving votes in the InterMat team poll, and features two wrestlers in the InterMat/NWCA/NWMA Division I rankings. Sophomore Cody Cleveland is ranked fourth at 141 pounds, and senior Seth Garvin is tabbed 19th at 157.

The Boilmakers are also receiving votes in the InterMat poll, and have four grapplers listed in the individual rankings. At 149 pounds, senior Jake Patascil sits at 11th, and in the 165 pound class, sophomore Luke Manuel is ranked eighth. Boilermakers AJ Kissell (184) and Logan Brown (197) are ranked 11th and 13th, respectively.

The Huskies' line-up will be made up entirely of freshmen and sophomores, though the exact starting 10 hasn't been determined.

"We know we've got a good group of young guys who are hungry to go out and prove themselves," Grant said. "They started that process last week at the Pointer Open, and will continue this weekend and for the rest of the year."

Northern Illinois opens their home season, Dec. 13, when the face Loras in Sycamore, Ill.