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November 02, 2017 | Wrestling

Twenty UW wrestlers will be repping the Cardinal & White

MADISON, Wis.- Wisconsin wrestling is set to compete for the first time in the 2017-18 campaign this Sunday as the Badgers kickstart the season at the Michigan State Open. The Badgers will bring 20 wrestlers to East Lansing, Michigan, along with another seven who will be participating in the tournament unattached. Many of collegiate wrestling's biggest names will be opening their season as well at the tournament.

Heading into the MSU Open for the second time, the Badgers will see some some familiar faces on Sunday as fellow Big Ten opponents Northwestern, Purdue, third-ranked Michigan and host Michigan State will all be competing. In addition, seventh-ranked Arizona State, No. 16 Central Michigan and No. 19 Oklahoma round out the slated teams that will be participating in this year's competition.

The Badgers are facing top competition right off the bat but UW is bringing ranked talent as well, with all seven preseason-ranked wrestlers set to participate this Sunday. Senior Ricky Robertson is embarking on his final year, starting this Sunday. He is looking to qualify for his fourth NCAA tournament and improve from a 27-16 finish from a year ago. Fellow senior and 19th-ranked Andrew Crone is looking to start strong and do some damage in what can be his second NCAA tournament, after going 3-2 in the championships last season.

UW's other NCAA qualifiers Ryan Christensen (174), Cole Martin (141), Hunter Ritter (197), and Johnny Jimenez (125), will all be making their season debuts and seeking to build upon their prior season.

Five Badgers will be making their debut in a Wisconsin singlet Sunday after wrestling unattached last season. Jacob Covaciu (174), Patrick Spray (149), Brady Wetter (184), Evan Wick (165), and Zander Wick (149) will be getting their first taste of top-ranked competition in the country.

This open also gives the coaches their first look of the wrestlers against opposing foes and where the team stands. Assistant Coach Kyle Ruschell said, "This weekend will give our guys a great idea of where they are at. It will also as coaches give us something to look at to improve."

The 2017 MSU Open begins at 8:30 a.m. CT Sunday and will run throughout the day. Live updates can be found on Wisconsin wrestling's Twitter @Badgerwrestling.