"As usual, this year's Midlands Tournament is going to be very strong. It could go down as a historic event in the sense that so many recent NCAA Champions will be competing right here in Evanston," said Northwestern head coach and five-time Midlands champion Tim Cysewski. "This year is a little different because Midlands will be more important than ever in terms of qualifying for nationals, so it will be interesting to see who steps up and makes a name for themselves come late December."
Northwestern wrestlers figure to compete for Midlands titles at a number of weight classes, including 184 where returning national champion Jake Herbert looks to become NU's first three-time champ at the prestigious event. Junior All-American Brandon Precin aims to improve on his second-place performance last season in the 125-pound class, which is again headlined by Indiana's Angel Escobedo. In addition, true freshman Jason Welch, who placed sixth at 157 lbs. in 2007 as a high school senior, will hit the mats with his sights set on the first Midlands title of his young career.
Six other Big Ten Conference members—Iowa, Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan State and Purdue—are set to join the Wildcats at Midlands. Iowa has maintained its place atop the USA Today/Intermat/NWCA team rankings, led by defending national champion and top-ranked Brent Metcalf, while Illinois checks in at No. 8. No. 12 Wisconsin is slated to rejoin the Midlands lineup, bolstered by No. 5 Dallas Herbst (197 lbs.) and third-ranked Kyle Massey (hwt.).
Iowa State, which has been holding down the nation's No. 2 ranking behind Iowa, returns to Midlands after placing second as a team last season. Junior Jake Varner of the Cyclones won Midlands last season at 184 but this year is testing his talents at 197. ISU also had one runner-up and two third-place finishers at the 2007 Midlands.
Another program returning to Midlands competition after an extended absence is Maryland under the direction of new head coach Kerry McCoy, formerly the head coach at Stanford. A year ago, the Terps posted a 5-0 record in the ACC to win the conference. The Terps are bolstered by No. 2 Hudson Taylor, who figures to be a primary challenger to Varner at 197 pounds.
Arizona State head coach Thom Ortiz, now in his eighth season at the helm, will also be bringing his Sun Devils to the Midlands Championships for the first time in years. Joining Arizona State from the Pac-10 will be Oregon State, coached by former Iowa head man Jim Zalesky. No. 19 Old Dominion, which has finished second in the CAA conference tournament three years running, is also slated to join the competition at Midlands. ODU features redshirt sophomore All-American at 125 Jason Nicholson, who met Northwestern's Precin in the seventh-place match at the NCAA Championships in St. Louis last March.
Other ranked teams in this year's field include No. 5 Missouri, No. 17 Central Michigan and No. 21 Pennsylvania. Former top Northwestern assistant Rob Eiter is in his first year in charge of the Quaker program after former Zeke Jones' departure to assume his duties with USA Wrestling.
Tickets to Midlands can be purchased by calling 847-491-CATS.
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