Northwestern University Athletics
Weight by Weight Breakdown for Midlands 2001
12/18/2001 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
125-Pounds-Last year's runner up, Leroy Vega (Minnesota), appears to be the favorite this year. He will be challenged by 2000 placewinners Luke Eustice (Iowa), Chris Williams (Michigan State) and Tom Noto (Hofstra). Others that could place include: Shaun Williams (Oregon), Greg Schaefer (Indiana), Rocco Mansueto (Cleveland State), Mason Lenhard (Penn), Adam Mars (Adams State) and Mike Simpson (Arizona State).
133-Pounds-Jody Strittmatter (Hawkeye WC) won his second Midlands title last year at 125. He will compete at 133 for the first time this year. He should be the first seed at this weight. Nathan Navaro (Oregon State) also moves up at weight class. He was third in 2000 at 125. Strong contenders at 133 also include: Matt Azevedo (Cyclone WC), Ryan Lewis (Minnesota), David Douglas (Arizona State), Jeff Ratliff (Ohio State), Zach Roberson (Iowa State), Marc Juergens (Iowa) and Jason Harless (Oregon).
141-Pounds-This may be the most wide open weight in the tournament. Eric Larkin (Arizona State), Chad Erikson (Minnesota) and Mark Conley are all highly ranked. Not far behind them are Aaron Holker (Iowa State), Luke Moffitt (Iowa), John Giacche (Northwestern) and Coyte Cooper (Indiana).
149-Pounds-Defending champion Jared Lawrence (Minnesota) and Mike Zadick (Iowa) seem to be co-favorites. Also in contention could be Jesse Jantzen (Harvard), Billy Maldonado (Iowa State), Mike Mendoza (Schultz WC), Keaton Anderson (Ohio State), Jason DeBruin (Hofstra), Ryan Berger (Illinois) and Marc Hoffer (American).
157-Pounds-Three time champion Chris Bono will not be back to defend his title so the 2001 finalist may well be Yoshi Nakamura (Penn) and Luke Becker (Minnesota). They were second and third a year ago at this weight. Look for the following to also have a good tournament: Scott Owen (Northern Illinois), Griff Powell (Illinois), Rocky Smart (Arizona State), Matt Anderson (Iowa), Gary Maynard (Michigan State) and Derek Jenkins (Rider).
165-Pounds-Two-time champion Joe Heskett (Iowa State) is the favorite this year. Challengers will include: Matt Lackey (Illinois), Noel Thompson (Hofstra), Ben Shirk (Iowa), John Hardy (Minnesota), John Clark (Ohio State), Carl Fronhofer (Pitt), Nick Frost (Arizona State) and Josh Henson (Penn).
174-Pounds-Joe Williams (Hawkeye WC) is going for his eighth straight Midlands title, which would tie the all time record set by Bruce Baumgartner in 1987. Those hoping to pull of an upset are Nathan Coy (Oregon State), Jacob Volkman (Minnesota), Rick Springman (Penn), Jeff Rusnak (Old Dominion), Greg Parker (Princeton), Tyler Nixt (Iowa), Jim Stanec (Cornell) and Matt Erwin (VMI).
184-Pounds-Cael Sanderson (Iowa State) has won this weight class for the past three years but has moved up to 197 this year. The 2001 champion should come from the following: Victor Sveda (Indiana), Damion Hahn (Minnesota), Jessman Smith (Iowa), Austen Palmer (Iowa State), Dan Stine (Pitt), Clint Wattenberg (Cornell), Anton Talamantes (Ohio State) and Tom Tanis (Rutgers).
197-Pounds-Defending champion Lee Fullhart (Team Excel) and Cael Sanderson should meet in the finals. Sanderson can join the "20 in 4" club with four wins as he is 16-0 in Midlands competition prior to this year. His overall collegiate mark stands at 133-0. Fullhart has won 23 Midlands matches in his six appearances. Challengers will include: Jon Trenge (Lehigh), Owen Elzen (Minnesota), Nick Preston (Ohio State), Erik Gladish (Arizona State), Ty Matthews (Indiana) and Nik Fekete (Michigan State).
Hwt-Defending NCAA champion John Lockhart (Illinois) heads a very talented group of big men. Tommy Rowlands (Ohio State) and his workout partner Mitch Clark (Ohio Int. WC) are strong challengers. Others looking to make the finals include: Garrett Lowney (Minnesota), Steve Mocco (Iowa), Eric Webb (Oregon), Jason Cooley (Oregon State), Russ Davie (Cleveland State), Angelo Borzio (New York AC) and Dawid Rechul (Harvard).
