Northwestern University Athletics
Wildcats Travel to National Duals
1/8/2008 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Jan. 8, 2008
EVANSTON, Ill. -- For a third-straight season, Northwestern has been invited to the NWCA/Cliff Keen National Duals on Jan. 12-13 in Cedar Falls, Iowa.
Sixteen Division I teams are invited to the tournament, which is regarded as the most prestigious in all of wrestling. Northwestern, ranked ninth in the country for the fifth-consecutive week, drew the No. 8 seed and takes on Nebraska in the first match at 9 a.m. on Saturday. With a victory, the 'Cats would then face the winner of top-seeded Penn State and Tennessee-Chattanooga later that day at 1 p.m.
"Nebraska is a very talented young team," head coach Tim Cysewski said. "In a dual meet-national championship format, it is important to take one step at a time."
Of the 16 teams invited, seven are from the Big Ten and nine also participated in Midlands "45" on Dec. 29-30 at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Iowa, which won the Midlands championship, drew a No. 2 seed. Iowa State came in third at Midlands and is seeded third.
The Duals are the 'Cats first event since the Midlands, where they finished fifth overall. Senior Dustin Fox (Galion, Ohio/Galion) defended his No. 1 ranking with a Midlands title, while sophomore Brandon Precin (Orland Park, Ill./Carl Sandburg) and senior Mike Tamillow (Oak Park, Ill./Fenwick) both made an appearance in the finals. Three other Wildcats also placed.
"Our training since Midlands has been intense, as it should be," Cysewski added. "We are looking forward to testing ourselves at the National Duals."
In duals this season, Northwestern holds a record of 3-1, winning its past three matches against Southern Illinois-Edwardsville, South Dakota State and Eastern Michigan.
National Duals mark the final event of the season before conference matches begin on Jan. 27 at Iowa.
For complete tournament information and results, visit the National Duals information page.
To watch the National Duals live, visit Livesportsvideo.com.
