The Northern Illinois Wrestling Podcast

On this episode of the Northern Illinois Wrestling Podcast, Dalton, Dan, and Marty recap the 2026 U.S. Open and break down the action from this past weekend. The guys discuss the local athletes who competed, highlight key senior-level results, and look ahead to the World Team Trials coming up later this summer.This episode is sponsored by 815 Digital, a local website design and digital marketing agency owned and operated by Dalton Bullard. If you have a local business, brand, or project and need help with a website or digital marketing strategy, visit 815Digital.com.This episode is also sponsored by Four Corners Wellness, providing professional services that promote growth, resilience, and overall wellness through professional counseling, lifestyle and health coaching, and corporate leadership services, visit fourcorners815.com to learn more.

This week on the Northern Illinois Wrestling Podcast, Dan, Marty, and Dalton discuss the Belvidere Spring Folkstyle Tournament held last weekend at Belvidere High School. They break down the turnout, share their thoughts on how the event was run, and talk about what it says about the current state of wrestling in the area. The crew also looks ahead to the upcoming US Open and previews what to watch for this weekend.This episode is brought to you by 815 Digital, a local website design and digital marketing agency. If you need help building a website or creating a stronger digital marketing strategy for your business or project, visit 815Digital.com. It is also brought to you by Four Corners Wellness, offering professional services that promote growth, resilience, and overall wellness through counseling, lifestyle and health coaching, and corporate leadership. Learn more by visiting FourCorners815.com.Join us every week as we dive deep into the world of amateur wrestling, spotlighting the talent, stories, and achievements of young athletes across the area. Whether you’re a longtime wrestling fan, a proud parent, or simply curious about the sport, this podcast is your guide to Northern Illinois wrestling.

This week on the podcast, we take a deep dive into the college wrestling transfer portal and what it means for the future of the sport. From high-impact moves to under-the-radar changes, we break down how the portal is reshaping lineups, shifting power across programs, and creating new opportunities for athletes at every level. This episode is brought to you by 815 Digital — if you need a website for your business or help getting your brand in front of the right people, 815 Digital helps businesses grow through smart, effective digital marketing. Visit 815Digital.com to learn more.

Join the conversation with the podcast crew.

Join Dalton, Marty, and Dan discuss the results from this last weekend's college conference tournaments.

Join Dalton, Dan, and Marty for our weekly livestream.

Recapping the IHSA State Tournament with Dalton, Dan, and Marty.

Join us as we dive deep into the world of amateur wrestling, spotlighting the incredible talent, stories, and achievements of young athletes in the area. Whether you’re a dedicated wrestling enthusiast, a proud parent, or just curious about the sport, this podcast is your ultimate guide to Northern Illinois wrestling.

Come hang with the Northern Illinois Wrestling crew as we talk current events in the sport of wrestling. From local high school results to college wrestling.

Come hang with the Northern Illinois Wrestling crew as we talk current events in the sport of wrestling. From local high school results to college wrestling.

Join us for a morning chat with the Northern Illinois Wrestling podcast crew.

Dalton, Marty, and Dan sit down for a full rundown of what’s happening across the Northern Illinois wrestling scene. They break down the latest results, preview the upcoming tournaments on deck, and dive into the biggest storylines in NCAA wrestling right now.

This week, Marty and Dalton dive into a packed episode of local and national wrestling talk. They kick things off with the big news out of Hononegah High School, where three standout wrestlers have officially committed to the University of Wisconsin. From there, they break down the early-season high school tournaments around Northern Illinois and what those results tell us about the teams and athletes to watch. And as lifelong college wrestling junkies, they wrap up with a deep look at the recent CyHawk dual—storylines, standout performances, and why this rivalry never disappoints.A fast, fun, and informative episode for wrestling fans across the state.

In this episode of the Northern Illinois Wrestling Podcast, Dalton, Jim, and Jason break down the list of Illinois wrestlers set to compete at Preseason Nationals in Iowa. They highlight key matchups, standout contenders, and which athletes to keep an eye on as the new season gets underway. Tune in to see how local talent is stacking up on the national stage.

In this episode of the Northern Illinois Wrestling Podcast, Dalton and Dan talk about the upcoming youth wrestling season and highlight some of the local athletes competing at Super 32 this weekend. They also dive into college wrestling news and preview the NCAA National Duals, discussing which teams to keep an eye on as the season gets underway.

In this episode of the Northern Illinois Wrestling Podcast, Dalton and Jim are joined by Vince Alber to talk about his upcoming wrestling camp in Pecatonica, Illinois. Vince shares details about his summer overnight camp that brought together multiple clinicians from around the area and the impact these events have on the local wrestling community. The conversation also dives into his role with the Dakota Wrestling Club and what he’s most excited about heading into the new season.

In this episode of the Northern Illinois Wrestling Podcast, Dalton, Dan, and Marty dive into a full wrestling season preview. They break down the upcoming NIC-10 conference, recap Team USA’s performance at the World Championships, and look ahead to the college season — including early storylines, the National Duals, and which programs could make a run at this year’s NCAA Tournament.

Dalton, Dan, and Marty are back on the Northern Illinois Wrestling Podcast after a long break. The guys catch up on the latest happenings in college wrestling, from big off-season news to standout storylines shaping the sport. They also look ahead to the upcoming college and high school seasons, breaking down what fans across Northern Illinois can expect this winter.

In this episode of the Northern Illinois Wrestling Podcast, Dalton, Dan, and Marty catch up on everything happening in the wrestling world. We dive into a recap of this year’s NCAA Tournament, take a look ahead at next year’s National Duals and who’s planning to compete, and break down some of the most notable transfers shaking up the college wrestling scene.

In this episode of the Northern Illinois Wrestling Podcast, we sit down with Ron Hamilton, head coach of Belvidere North High School, to recap the season and discuss the progress of his program.Coach Hamilton shares insights on the team’s performance, the challenges they faced this season, and his vision for the future of Belvidere North Wrestling. From day-to-day development to long-term goals, we dive into what it takes to build a competitive program.

In this episode of the Northern Illinois Wrestling Podcast, we sit down with Derek Jones, head coach of Sandwich High School Wrestling. The program has been making big strides, winning back-to-back regional titles and celebrating a state placer this season.Coach Jones gives us an inside look at the team’s success, the work being done behind the scenes to keep the program moving forward, and what’s next for Sandwich Wrestling. It’s an exciting time for the program, and you won’t want to miss this conversation!

In this episode of the Northern Illinois Wrestling Podcast, we kick off our postseason coverage with Tyler Demoss, head coach of Hononegah High School. Hononegah had a season for the record books—9 state qualifiers, 6 state placers, 3 state finalists, 1 individual champion, and a 2nd place team finish in Class 3A. Coach Demoss takes us through the highs, challenges, and key moments that made this season so special.

In this episode of the Northern Illinois Wrestling Podcast, Dalton is joined by Nelson Baker to preview the 2A Washington Sectional. They break down the brackets, analyze key matchups, and discuss which wrestlers have the best shot at punching their ticket to the state tournament next week.

In this episode of the Northern Illinois Wrestling Podcast, Dalton, Dan, and Marty break down the 3A Barrington Sectional. We go through the brackets, highlight key matchups between top-ranked wrestlers, and discuss who we think will punch their ticket to the state tournament.

In this episode of the Northern Illinois Wrestling Podcast, Dalton Bullard, Jim Mastny, Buddy, and Mark preview the highly anticipated 1A Oregon Sectional. They break down each weight class, highlighting key matchups, ranked wrestlers, and their predictions for who will punch their ticket to the state tournament.

In this episode of the podcast, Dalton Bullard, Jim Mastny, and Jason Benesh dive into the upcoming local regional tournaments. They discuss potential matchups, key wrestlers to watch, and how the results could shape the sectional tournaments.

In the latest episode of the Northern Illinois Wrestling podcast, Dalton and Marty sit down with Dixon High School coaches, Micah and Jacob Hey. They share updates on the Dukes’ season so far, highlight standout performances in their lineup, and discuss what’s ahead for their program. Don’t miss this inside look at Dixon wrestling!

In this episode, Dalton, Jim, and Jason dive into the action from the Princeton Invitational Tournament (The PIT). Join us as we recap each weight class, analyze the results, and highlight standout performances from one of the most competitive tournaments of the season.

In this episode Dalton sits down with Jesse Montez, longtime assistant coach at Geneseo High School. Coach Montez provides an update on the 2024-2025 season, sharing insights on the team's journey so far. With five wrestlers ranked in the top 10 statewide, the Geneseo Maple Leafs are gearing up for a strong run at the individual and team state championships. Tune in to hear about the latest from this powerhouse program and the storied legacy of Geneseo wrestling!

In the latest episode of the Northern Illinois Wrestling Podcast, Dalton, Dan, and Marty dive into college wrestling with recaps of the Midlands Championships and Soldier Salute. They also discuss where some of the top local high school teams are competing this weekend. Join us as we dive deep into the world of amateur wrestling, spotlighting the incredible talent, stories, and achievements of young athletes in the area. Whether you’re a dedicated wrestling enthusiast, a proud parent, or just curious about the sport, this podcast is your ultimate guide to Northern Illinois wrestling.

In this episode of the Northern Illinois Wrestling Podcast, Dalton, Buddy, Jim, and Mark recap the ABE's Rumble Dual Tournament Championship. The team dives into each weight class, breaking down key matchups and standout individual performances from the weekend. Don’t miss this detailed analysis of one of the season's most competitive events!

In this episode of the podcast, Dalton, Dan, and Marty dive into some of the latest tournament results and are joined by Tony Nelson, head wrestling coach at Richmond Burton, to discuss the success of their program and the impressive lineup of ranked wrestlers making waves this season. View our complete set of 1A, 2A, & 3A Rankings at https://northernillinoiswrestling.com/rankings/ Don’t forget to like and subscribe across all our platforms—Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X, and Spotify @northernillinoiswrestling to stay connected and never miss an update!

In the latest 2A Rankings Show, Dalton, Mark, and Jim tackle the Class 2A rankings, finalizing the complete list for all weight classes. They break down key matchups, head-to-head results, and recent performances to bring you the most accurate and up-to-date rankings. Don’t miss this in-depth analysis of the best wrestlers in Class 2A! View our complete set of 2A Rankings, along with 1A and 3A, visit https://northernillinoiswrestling.com !! Don’t forget to like and subscribe across all our platforms—Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X, and Spotify @northernillinoiswrestling to stay connected and never miss an update!

In the latest 1A Rankings Show, we revisit and refine our 1A rankings after diving into the weekend's results. Join us as we analyze key matchups, standout performances, and shifting trends to bring you the most up-to-date rankings in Illinois Class 1A wrestling. View our complete set of 1A Rankings, along with 2A and 3A, visit https://northernillinoiswrestling.com/rankings/ !! Don’t forget to like and subscribe across all our platforms—Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X, and Spotify @northernillinoiswrestling to stay connected and never miss an update!

In this episode, Dalton talks with two incredible coaches shaping the wrestling world: Mario Morgan, Head Coach at the University of Bridgeport, and Kevin Milder, Head Coach of the Stockton/Lena High School program. Coach Morgan shares his journey from being a 3-time All-American and 2011 NCAA National Champion at the University of Nebraska Omaha to leading a collegiate program. His impressive career includes competing on three consecutive national championship teams and amassing a remarkable 130-38 record. If you're interested in college opportunities, you can contact Coach Morgan at [email protected]. Coach Milder brings over three decades of coaching experience, guiding Stockton/Lena to multiple team state championships and top finishes in Illinois. He shares insights into his team’s recent results and previews what’s ahead for their program. Tune in to hear these inspiring stories and stay updated on the latest in wrestling!

In this episode of our rankings show, we dive into the Class 2A wrestling rankings, covering 106 lbs through 138 lbs. Dalton, Buddy, Jim and Mark break down the top competitors, recent results, and key matchups shaping the landscape of Illinois high school wrestling. Tune in to see how the rankings stack up and who’s making waves in Class 2A!

In this episode, Dalton catches up with Coach Justin Lahman from Oregon High School and Coach Tyler DeMoss from Hononegah High School. They discuss recent team results, highlight standout individual performances, and preview the upcoming competitions on their schedules. Tune in for insight into two strong programs in Northern Illinois wrestling!

In this episode, Dalton, Dan, and Marty sit down with Chad Wilmarth, Byron High School wrestling coach, to discuss the team's performance so far this season. From standout matches to key takeaways, Coach Wilmarth gives us an inside look at the progress Byron is making and what lies ahead. Tune in for insights and updates from one of Northern Illinois' top wrestling programs!

Returning for another 1A Ranking Show, Dalton, Buddy, and Jim revisit some of the 1A weight classes previously covered to update the rankings based on new information. Then, we break down the rest of the 1A rankings for 175 lbs. through 285 lbs., looking through past results, head-to-head matchups, and recent tournament performances to determine the top 6 in each weight class.

In this episode of the rankings show, Dalton, Buddy, and Jim revisit some of the 1A weight classes from our previous show to update the rankings based on recent results and head-to-head matchups. We then dive into the 1A rankings for 138 lbs. through 165 lbs., breaking down past performances, tournament outcomes, and key battles to determine the top 6 in each weight class. Don’t forget to like and subscribe to stay updated on future shows as we cover the remaining 1A rankings and take a deep dive into the 2A and 3A rankings.

In this special 1A rankings show, Dalton, Buddy, and Jim break down the best wrestlers in Illinois Class 1A from 106 lbs to 132 lbs. Join us as we speculate on who’s at the top of their game, preview potential matchups, and share insights into what the state tournament could look like. Stay tuned for future episodes where we’ll cover the remaining weight classes!

In this episode, Dalton, Dan, and Marty dive into the world of 1A wrestling, kicking things off with Newman Central Catholic coaches Brody Ivey and Brian Bahrs. They share insights on their lineup, team goals, and what they’re working to accomplish this season. Later, Buddy Staver, coach of Le-Win/Stockton, joins the discussion to recap their recent dual with Oregon and preview the challenges and opportunities ahead for his team. Don’t miss this episode packed with local wrestling updates and stories!

In this episode, Dalton and Dan are joined by Jim Mastny to break down the results from the prestigious Ironman tournament. They highlight the Illinois wrestlers who placed and share insights into their impressive performances on one of the toughest stages in high school wrestling. Don't miss this deep dive into an exciting weekend of competition!

In this episode, Dalton, Dan, and Marty dive into the latest local high school wrestling results and preview two major upcoming tournaments: the Ironman in Ohio and the Rockford East 'Giardini' Invitational. They also shift gears to college wrestling, discussing the highly anticipated Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational.

In this episode, we’re joined by Brandon Lozdoski and Gene Lee to preview the Rockford East 'Giardini' Invitational. Brandon, a Harlem High School alum now coaching in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, is bringing his team back to Rockford for this exciting tournament. Together, we dive into what to expect at this year’s event, spotlighting teams, matchups, and key storylines.

In this week’s episode, Marty and Dalton break down the latest high school tournament results, highlighting key performances and takeaways. They’re also joined by Tyler Westlund, a former North Boone wrestler, state placer, and current D3 college wrestling coach. Tyler shares his inspiring journey from competing in Northern Illinois to serving in the military and now coaching in Cincinnati, Ohio. Don’t miss this incredible story of resilience and passion for the sport!

In this week’s episode, Dalton, Dan, and Marty dive into the first week of local high school wrestling results, sharing key highlights and standout performances. They also discuss the CyHawk Dual, recap Thanksgiving week action, and preview the highly anticipated Barrington Tournament. Don’t miss this packed episode as we kick off the high school wrestling season!

In this episode, Dalton and Dan dive into the latest college wrestling results and preview what’s ahead this season. They’re also joined by Dillon Pontnack and Vince Alber, coaches for the Dakota Wrestling Club, to discuss their program, its impact on young athletes, and what’s in store for the season.

In this episode, Marty and Dalton dive into the world of college wrestling, previewing the highly anticipated CyHawk meet between Iowa and Iowa State, along with key matchups across the Big Ten. Later, we're joined by Jason Mamer-Cox, head coach at North Boone High School. Coach Mamer-Cox reflects on last season’s success, including a state placer, and shares how it’s fueling the team’s momentum heading into the new season.

In this episode, Marty and Dalton connect with local high school coaches from Grant and Hampshire. We get to know the coaches, dive into the strengths of their programs, and explore what’s ahead for their teams this season. Tune in for a closer look at the dedicated leaders shaping wrestling in the region!