Northwestern University Athletics
Saturday, November 8
East Lansing, Mich.
All Day
Northwestern
at
Michigan State Open
Photo by: Kailey Zagst/Northwestern Athletics
Wrestling to Open Season at Michigan State Open
11/7/2025 4:36:00 PM | Wrestling
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Northwestern wrestling kicks off its 2025–26 season on Saturday when it heads to East Lansing, Mich., for the Michigan State Open. The tournament will begin at 8:30 a.m. CT in Michigan State's Jenison Field House, featuring two separate divisions: Fresh/Soph and Open.
The Field
Northwestern will face five Big Ten Conference opponents, with hosts Michigan State, Indiana, Michigan, Purdue and Wisconsin among the competing teams. Central Michigan, Edinboro, Kent State, Northern Illinois, Arizona State, Davidson, Massachusetts, Ohio, Campbell and Grand Valley State will make up the rest of the 16-team field, which has expanded from 10 teams last year.
2025-26 Season Preview
This weekend's event marks the beginning of Matt Storniolo's 11th season as head coach and his 17th year coaching in Evanston. Storniolo welcomes back returning NCAA qualifier Sam Cartella, who begins the season ranked No. 28 by InterMat at 149 lbs. The 'Cats also added 133-pounder Sean Spidle from the transfer portal, an NCAA qualifier with Central Michigan last season. He starts the season ranked No. 14 by InterMat, the highest of Northwestern's wrestlers. Rounding out the ranked Wildcats is Dedrick Navarro, who opens the season ranked No. 28 at 125 lbs.
Also among Northwestern's returning wrestlers is last year's starter at 285 lbs, Dirk Morley. Additional newcomers in purple are Gabe Christenson, a transfer from Virginia set to wrestle at 197 lbs for Northwestern, and J.D. Perez, who joined Storniolo's roster after five seasons of NAIA action, including a National Championship at 184 lbs. Northwestern wrestling features two first-years on its 2025-26 roster: Billy Dekraker at 141 lbs and Alex Smith at 197 lbs.
Up Next
After wrapping up in East Lansing, Northwestern will kick off its dual season on Saturday, November 15, when the Wildcats travel to Edwardsville, Ill., to face SIUE at the Sam M. Vadalabene Center at 5 p.m. CT.
The Field
Northwestern will face five Big Ten Conference opponents, with hosts Michigan State, Indiana, Michigan, Purdue and Wisconsin among the competing teams. Central Michigan, Edinboro, Kent State, Northern Illinois, Arizona State, Davidson, Massachusetts, Ohio, Campbell and Grand Valley State will make up the rest of the 16-team field, which has expanded from 10 teams last year.
2025-26 Season Preview
This weekend's event marks the beginning of Matt Storniolo's 11th season as head coach and his 17th year coaching in Evanston. Storniolo welcomes back returning NCAA qualifier Sam Cartella, who begins the season ranked No. 28 by InterMat at 149 lbs. The 'Cats also added 133-pounder Sean Spidle from the transfer portal, an NCAA qualifier with Central Michigan last season. He starts the season ranked No. 14 by InterMat, the highest of Northwestern's wrestlers. Rounding out the ranked Wildcats is Dedrick Navarro, who opens the season ranked No. 28 at 125 lbs.
Also among Northwestern's returning wrestlers is last year's starter at 285 lbs, Dirk Morley. Additional newcomers in purple are Gabe Christenson, a transfer from Virginia set to wrestle at 197 lbs for Northwestern, and J.D. Perez, who joined Storniolo's roster after five seasons of NAIA action, including a National Championship at 184 lbs. Northwestern wrestling features two first-years on its 2025-26 roster: Billy Dekraker at 141 lbs and Alex Smith at 197 lbs.
Up Next
After wrapping up in East Lansing, Northwestern will kick off its dual season on Saturday, November 15, when the Wildcats travel to Edwardsville, Ill., to face SIUE at the Sam M. Vadalabene Center at 5 p.m. CT.
Players Mentioned
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