Northwestern University Athletics
Champions Old and New to Meet at 40th Midlands
11/19/2002 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Nov. 19, 2002
EVANSTON, Ill. - Champions of the past will meet those of the future when Northwestern hosts the 40th Midlands Championships on Dec. 28-29 at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Several of the top wrestling programs in the nation will be on hand, including third-ranked Iowa, which looks to defend its title. The 10 original Midlands champions will also make the trip.
The Hawkeyes, who knocked off top-ranked Minnesota in a dual meet last week, upended the field last season as three wrestlers won individual titles. Iowa State finished second, 24.5 points off the pace. Minnesota, Ohio State and Pennsylvania rounded out the top five. Northwestern finished 41st.
"The Midlands is one of the best amateur wrestling events around," said NU head coach Tim Cysewski. "All the great ones want to win it. The Midlands set the stage for individuals and teams to emerge for the rest of the season."
This year's tournament also will feature the first 10 Midlands champions. In its first year, 1963, the event was known as the West Suburban YMCA Open Championship. A special ceremony will be held to recognize these competitors as Midlands champions for the first time.
Joe Williams, a member of the Sunkist Kids wrestling club, is shooting for a record ninth straight Midlands title. Chris Bono, also a member of the Sunkist Kids, is looking to become the 16th person to win his fourth title.
Fox Sports Chicago will televise action from the 2002 Midlands tournament from 7-9 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 11, 2003.
