The Huskies (4-4) feature five wrestlers who are nationally ranked in their respective weight classes, including No. 10 Pat Castillo at 125 pounds. Also ranked are 141-pounder Josh Wooten (11th), 149-pounder Mike Grimes (13th), 174-pounder Danny Burk (20th) and heavyweight Joe Sapp (19th).
"They are pretty darn tough," said Bobcat head coach Joel Greenlee about his squad's upcoming opponent. "They're a good team but I think we can wrestle with them. I think they're better in the lower weights but that we're better in the upper weights."
With the possible return of two starters, Ohio may field its healthiest lineup so far this season. Junior 197-pounder Nick Terbay (Dayton, Ohio) and redshirt freshman Jake Frerichs (Uniontown, Ohio) at 157 both have recovered enough from knee injuries to consider reclaiming their starting spots.
In order to boost attendance at home meets this season, the Bobcats have tried several approaches, including hosting youth clinics, high school meets and alumni nights. According to Greenlee, the efforts have been effective.
"We had a great crowd last Friday and I think it made a big difference in the meet," Greenlee said about the 25-13 victory over North Carolina State. "All of our guys were really fired up to go out and wrestle hard."
Prior to this Friday's 7 p.m. main event, two area high school wrestling programs with Ohio University graduates as head coaches - Athens and Sheridan - will battle on The Convo floor. The dual meet between the Bulldogs and Generals will begin at 5 p.m. and admission is free to both events.
"A lot of people have never been to a college wrestling meet but once they go, they're hooked," said Greenlee. "It's fast-paced action that's exciting. And with us going against Northern Illinois, I know it's two teams that are going to wrestle hard."
Live results for Friday night's dual between Ohio and Northern Illinois will be posted on ohiobobcats.com after the conclusion of each match.
Tentative lineup for Friday's dual meet:
125 - Ohio's Caleb Metcalf (11-10) vs. #10 Pat Castillo (18-5)
133 - Ohio's Terry Jackson (6-4) vs. Andy Hiatt (14-11)
141 - Ohio's Albert Madsen (6-6) vs. #11 Josh Wooton (17-6)
149 - Ohio's Aaron Gomoll (9-10) vs. #13 Mike Grimes (15-6)
157 - Ohio's Jake Frerichs (7-3) or Mike Grandominico (1-7) vs. Kalen Knull (2-6)
165 - Ohio's Kent Smith (4-9) vs. Alex Nelson (13-5) or Johnny Galloway (11-7)
174 - Ohio's Ryan Knapp (13-11) vs. #20 Danny Burk (13-7)
184 - Ohio's Brian Cesear (14-8) vs. Nick McClone (8-12)
197 - Ohio's Nick Terbay (11-7) or Larry Reichard (7-6) vs. Derick Hunsinger (8-12)
HWT - Ohio's Marcus Adelman (6-4) vs. #19 Joe Sapp (14-9)
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