Going into the 2021 season, things looked bleak for Northwestern after losing top wrestler and two-time Big Ten champion Sebastian Rivera to Rutgers while preparing for a shortened season due to COVID-19. 

For coach Matt Storniolo and his Cats, though, this was a hurdle that could be overcome. 

Though the team struggled during the regular season with a record of 2-6, placing eleventh in the Big Ten and a middle of the pack finish during the conference championship, the challenges only prepared them for the biggest stage ahead: the national championship.

Led by graduate player Ryan Deakin, who secured a top-three finish and his second straight Big Ten championship, the team snagged a top ten national finish — the best since 2014. Alongside Deakin’s third straight conference honor, two other NU wrestlers, redshirt sophomore Chris Cannon and redshirt senior Yahya Thomas, were named All-Americans. With this, NU secured its second straight season of at least three top-eight national finishes since 2014. 

After sending seven players to the NCAA championships, four Wildcats also earned top five individual finishes during the conference championship.  

Competing in a tough conference — one that boasts 35 All-Americans and has five programs finishing among the top 10 in the national championship — poses a test for the Cats. But the team’s late season performance provides hope for a promising future.

While the Big Ten will not get any easier, a core group of top wrestlers and Deakin bring hope that the team can only get better.

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