Badgers back in action at Midlands
December 28, 2008 | Wrestling
The No. 10 Wisconsin wrestling team (5-1-0 overall, 0-0-0 Big Ten Conference) hits the mat Monday and Tuesday at the 46th annual Midlands Championships in Evanston, Ill. The Badgers are one of over 30 teams competing in this two-day event held on Northwestern 's campus. Wrestling begins at 9:30 a.m. Monday and continues at noon Tuesday. The finals for each weight class will broadcast live on the Big Ten Network, beginning at 7 p.m. Tuesday.
Midlands Information:
- Final Tournament Rankings
- Tournament Bracket
- Events Schedule
The Badgers have been off since downing Northern Iowa, 36-9 back on Dec. 13. Wisconsin has been away from Midlands for some time though as the team usually heads to the Lonestar Duals after the holidays. The last time Wisconsin placed in the top 10 at Midlands dates back to a fifth place finish in 1990. Wisconsin finished eighth the year before and took home a second place finish in 1987. Head coach Barry Davis wrestled at Midlands while attending Iowa but he did not win the tournament until after he graduated. Davis was a two-time champion in 1985 and 1986.
This year, Wisconsin wrestlers will face tough competition as 11 teams at Midlands rank in the top 25 along with numerous ranked wrestlers. Three No. 1 ranked wrestlers and seven wrestlers ranked second in the country in various weight classes will compete at Midlands.
Five Badger grapplers are seeded in their respective weight classes. Junior Kyle Ruschell was pre-seeded No. 4 at 149 lbs., but moved up to a No. 3 seed. Seniors Dallas Herbst and Kyle Massey are also slated at No. 3 for 197 lbs and heavyweight, respectively. Senior Zach Tanelli and freshman Andrew Howe were not pre-seeded, but after the coaches meeting Sunday night, received the No. 8 seeds in the 141 lbs. and 165 lbs. weight classes, respectively.
A tough group awaits Ruschell at 149 lbs. as No. 1 ranked Brent Metcalf from Iowa, No. 6 Jake Patacsil from Purdue and No. 9 Mitch Mueller from Iowa State are all competing at Midlands. Ruschell could even his series with Patacsil as the Boilermaker grappler won the first meeting back at the Cliff Keen Invitational.
Herbst could have a re-match with Iowa State's Jake Varner, who is the No. 1 ranked wrestler in the country. No. 4 Max Askren (Missouri), No. 7 Hudson Taylor (Maryland) and No. 11 Andrew Anderson (Northern Iowa) are also competing at Midlands. In his last competition before break, Herbst pinned Anderson in 4:47.
Massey also has a potential re-match against No. 1 seed, and second ranked heavyweight, David Zabriskie from Iowa State. Zabriskie emerged the winner in extra periods when the Cyclones came to Madison for a dual back in November. Massey could also face No. 3 Mark Ellis (Missouri), No. 5 John Wise (Illinois) and No. 6 John Schaeffer (Pittsburgh) at Midlands.
Be sure to log onto UWBadgers.com Monday and Tuesday for updates from the 46th annual Midlands Championships. Updated brackets, final seeds and other tournament information can be found here .
RELATED CONTENT:
- postid=1743"> --> Barry's Blog: Memories from Midlands
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