ANDERSON — Highland wrestler Sam Bennett has a brutally efficient style on the mat.
He took a similar approach to the recruiting process.
As a result, the senior 152-pounder signed a letter of intent Sunday to attend and compete for Northern Illinois.
The Huskies have individuals ranked in eight of 10 weight classes in the Mid-American Conference this winter, and Bennett was sold on the program by his official visit.
“I really like the team,” he said. “We got along really well. I was impressed with the facilities, and everything I would need on campus is within walking distance. They offered me a pretty good scholarship. Everything just kind of fell into place.”
Bennett also made visits to Maryland and Purdue, and he had a few other visits lined up. But the trip to DeKalb, Ill., made his decision clear.
“There was really no need for me to keep searching for a college,” he said.
Scots coach Kyle Poyer said Bennett did his due diligence before choosing Northern Illinois.
“He did a lot of work,” Poyer said. “He put a lot of time into it, and he picked the university and the wrestling program that fit him best.”
Part of that fit is evident in Bennett’s projected spot in the lineup. He expects to wrestle at 157 pounds collegiately, meaning he’ll barely need to change his training habits from high school.
“It’ll be perfect,” he said of his college weight class.
The quick decision also allows Bennett to focus completely on his final high school season without the added drama of the recruiting process.
He finished third last year at the IHSAA state finals, and his goal is to bring home a state championship this year alongside best friend and teammate Mason Berryman.
“Anytime, as a wrestler, you can take the pressure off of what the next step is going to be after your high school career,” Poyer said, “everything else is just icing on the cake.”
Bennett couldn’t agree more, saying signing with an NCAA Division I program was his ultimate goal.
“It’s really nice,” he said. “All the pressure is gone. I can just wrestle now for fun. I’ve already fulfilled my goal.”
Local Sports
Bennett finds perfect fit with Huskies
Highland wrestler to compete at 157 for N. Illinois
- Local Sports
-
-
Wrestlers have eyes on prize
For Alexandria’s Luke Blanton, Pendleton Heights’ Clint Nicholson and Shenandoah’s Jacob Lumpkin, qualifying for the 2012 IHSAA State Individual Wrestling finals brings a bevy of emotions
-
Indians put stop to slide
In the end, it took eight seconds of insane defense to end the Anderson boys basketball team’s eight-game losing streak.
In a game twice postponed by weather, the Indians held off a last-ditch rally at Huntington North for a 59-58 North Central Conference victory on Wednesday. -
Rick Teverbaugh: Familiar face leads Wildcats
For me, there will be much excitement and anticipation as part of the girls basketball regional Saturday at Decatur Central.
-
AU men lose, but still clinch spot in HCAC tourney
The Anderson University men’s basketball team lost to Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference rival Manchester College 81-71 on Wednesday night at Stauffer-Wolfe Arena in North Manchester.
-
Royals edge out Tigers
If Alexandria’s non-conference matchup with Eastern Hancock was relatively meaningless, someone forgot to tell just about everyone involved.
The two teams turned a sleepy weeknight crowd electric Tuesday night with a wild, high-flying affair that ended with a 92-91 Royals victory, new individual scoring records for both schools and a home crowd that remained standing in proud applause long after the final buzzer. -
Power outage grounds Arabians
An accident on Indiana 13 at Indiana 38 knocked power out throughout the southern part of Madison County on Tuesday and caused the postponement of Pendleton Heights’ boys basketball game against New Castle.
-
Tigers lose to Royals 92-91
Photos from Alexandria as the Tigers hosted the Eastern Hancock Royals on Tuesday.
-
Arabians still on rise
The Pendleton Heights boys basketball team is riding an 11-game winning streak and rose to No. 4 in the Class 4A state rankings Monday.
But, with the sectional set to begin exactly two weeks from today, coach Brian Hahn isn’t about to let the Arabians (18-2) get too comfortable. -
Wiles’ heart leads her to Hoosiers
Meghan Wiles took some time to explore her options, but she always kind of knew where she would end up.
She’s an IU girl.
Wiles, a Pendleton Heights senior, signed to play soccer at Indiana University on Feb. 1, the NCAA’s National Signing Day. Her parents, Tom and Mandy, both attended IU. -
Quintin Harlan: Wrestlers prep for state finals
Taking part in the Parade of Champions during the opening ceremonies of the IHSAA State Wrestling Finals is a thrill that stays with competitors and coaches for as long as they’ll remember.
For some, taking part in the ceremonial start for the state finals is the best memory. - More Local Sports Headlines
-






