Northwestern University Athletics
Sunkist Kids Vying for Fourth Midlands Title
12/6/2002 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Dec. 6, 2002
EVANSTON, Ill. - You might expect Iowa to be at the top of the leaderboard at the Midlands Championships, as it has won 17 Midlands titles-including seven of the last eight. But it is the Sunkist Kids Wrestling Club that is the favorite heading into the 40th Midlands, which is set for Dec. 28-29 in Evanston, Ill.
The Arizona-based wrestling club is led by Joe Williams, who is shooting for a record ninth straight Midlands title. Williams passed Bruce Baumgartner last year on the all-time Midlands wins list with 45. He also has defeated his last 41 opponents.
This year's Sunkist Kids lineup features wrestlers who have won a combined 18 Midlands individual titles. John Fisher is back after winning four Midlands titles. Chris Bono and Joe Hesket have each won three titles. In addition, Matt Azevedo was a finalist last year at 133 pounds.
The Sunkist Kids remain the only club team to win the Midlands team title. They won in 1984, 1987 and 1988.
Some other schools expected to make a run include Ohio State, Michigan, West Virginia, Lehigh and Illinois. All are currently ranked in the top ten.
