Matt Storniolo coaches guys who want to compete. Guys who embrace rigorous academics, grueling practices and a loaded Big Ten schedule.

Welcome to Northwestern wrestling.

Stornolio and his Wildcats, a season removed from their highest NCAA Tournament finish since 2007 (Sixth), enter the heart of Big Ten competition at 3-2 overall and 2-2 in the Big Ten after winning the Midlands title for the first time in program history. 

The #11 Wildcats graduated one starter from last year’s squad — national champion Ryan Deakin (157) — and the depth remains.

With four returning All-Americans, little things become the difference. 

“It’s attitude,” Storniolo said. “Technique can get so far and conditioning can get you so far, but you gotta have that winning attitude and you gotta be a competitor. That’s something that the top-level guys have. They know how to win and that’s something that is invaluable.”

Here are some other notes ahead of #13 Northwestern’s duals against #10 Wisconsin and #18 Rutgers: 

Northwestern Is Not Your Average Big Ten school

The facts are simple. Only private school in the Big Ten. Strict academic standards and a limited roster cause recruiting difficulties.

Storniolo understands and still finds ways to win. 

“Out of 100 good wrestlers in the country, maybe if we’re lucky 25 of them are going to be admissible to Northwestern,” he said. “Where every other school has 100 shots, we have maybe a quarter of that.”

Storniolo and his staff chase the same elite recruits his conference counterparts pursue. So, what’s the difference between Northwestern and any other perennial contender?

“There is not another school out there that can offer the combination of a top-10 education in the U.S., competing in the premier conference, being on a team that now has been a perennial top-10 team for the last three years and the proximity to a place like Chicago,” Storniolo said.

Chumbley, Fellow New Starters Chasing Podium

Trevor Chumbley spent years drilling with a national champion.

He waited for his turn to start and prepared his teammates for the podium. This year, Chumbley took over Deakin’s spot.

“Trevor has kinda been the man behind the scenes,” Storniolo said. “Without Trevor Chumbley, I don’t know if Yahya Thomas takes third at NCAAs two years ago. Without Trevor Chumbley, I don’t know if Ryan Deakin wins that national title.”

Chumbley opened the season with a Michigan State Open title and a slew of ranked wins. He surged to as high as #9 at 157. 

He enters Friday’s dual versus Wisconsin at 18-4. 

“He’s been the guy that’s been pushing those guys,” Storniolo said. “While he’s been doing that, he’s been like a sponge. He’s learning lessons, he’s getting better, he’s developing and he was just biding his time until he had the opportunity.”

Maxx Mayfield (165) became another new starter at a new weight. His willingness to sacrifice self-desires for the team shows a theme.

“Didn’t get the spot at 157, which was his most competitive weight but really wanted a chance to get in the lineup so he goes up to 165, does some things and proves he can compete,” Storniolo said.

Mayfield, similar to Chumbley, boasts a match count in the 20s and handful of ranked wins. Mayfield recently defeated Minnesota’s Andrew Sparks and Illinois’ Dan Braunagel.

Storniolo shifted the middle/upperweights with five new starters. Aside from Chumbley and Mayfield, new guys own 174 (Ankhaa Enkhmandakh), 184 (Evan Bates/Jon Halvorsen) and 197 (Andrew Davison). 

“Evan Bates, a guy that didn’t get the spot at 197 and certified at 184,” Storniolo said. “He wanted to do whatever he could to get in the lineup and cut down to 184. First time out of the gates at the Midlands tournament, gets on a run, wins some matches and places in that event. Those really stood out to me.”

Minnesota Dual A “Program Win”

A few missing starters didn’t matter. Northwestern opened its Big Ten schedule with an 18-11 win over Minnesota in early January.

“That was big,” Storniolo said. “We were going into that dual missing a couple of starters and to go into a dual against a top-10 team missing three starters at that point, and to come away with a win just speaks to the strength of the program.”