HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill.- After competing in yet another one of the most competitive tournaments in the country, Wisconsin wrestling had a tough stretch in the two days of the 55th Midland Championships. Only two of the 16 competing UW wrestlers found the podium, although starters Zander Wick, Evan Wick and Ricky Robertson took the weekend off.

"Although things didn't go our way, our guys fought," Volunteer assistant coach Camden Eppert said. "There were some good things and some things that we need to work on. We now face the conference season ahead and some of our biggest challenges. We know our guys will work hard and get after it and get ready for Northwestern."

Andrew Crone went 5-2 in his last Midlands tournament, including a pin, and placed seventh after defeating Old Dominion's Larry Early by a 7-1 decision at 157 pounds. 

True freshman Paul Konrath showed in his first Midlands Championships that he can hang with the some of the best in the country. He, like Crone, went 5-2 wrestling unattached between the two days and also placed seventh. He displayed his talents is in the seventh-place match when he avenged an earlier loss to Edinboro's Korbin Myers by defeating him in their second matchup 3-2.

Wisconsin wrestling will next be in action Jan. 12 when it squares off with conference foe Northwestern.