Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern
Midlands Wrestling Championships
Two 'Cats Advance to Day 2
12/29/2003 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Dec. 29, 2003
EVANSTON, Ill.--Mike Kimberlin (Bradley, Ill./Bishop Martin McNamara) won four matches while dropping just one on the first day of competition at the 41st Midlands Wrestling Championships at Welsh-Ryan Arena.
Kimberlin, who lost his Round of 16 match 3-1 to West Virginia's Matt Lebe in the 157-pound bracket, won his next two consolation matches and now awaits Travis Koppenhafer of Adams.
John Velez (Kings Mills, Ohio/Kings), meanwhile, was the only other Wildcat to make it to Day 2. The junior started his day with two wins, but he then lost his quarterfinal match in the 125-pound division to drop to the consolation bracket. Velez will face Northern Illinois' Dave Aranda tomorrow.
"Both Mike and John have wrestled well so far," head coach Tim Cysewski said. "They are in a good position to place, which would be a great boost for them and the team."
Northwestern is currently in 18th place with 21.0 points. Iowa State heads the field of 60 with 66.5 points.
Session 3 will begin at noon tomorrow, and it will include the semifinal matches. Then in the evening, the championship matches will highlight Session 4, with an awards ceremony to follow.
