Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern Set to Host 52nd Midlands
12/27/2014 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling, Ken Kraft Midlands Championships
EVANSTON, Ill. - Some of the nation's top wrestlers are set to compete at the 52nd annual Ken Kraft Midlands Championships at Welsh-Ryan Arena in Evanston, Ill. The two-day event is scheduled for Monday, Dec. 29 and Tuesday, Dec. 30.
Sessions I and II will be on Monday with the final two sessions taking place on Tuesday. Action will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Monday with the second act to follow at 7 p.m. The third session will begin at noon Tuesday, and the finals will begin at 7 p.m.
The finals will be televised live on the Big Ten Network.
All-session passes are $50 for reserved seats and $40 for general admission. Single session tickets will also be sold. Visit nusports.com or call 888-GO-PURPLE for more information on ticket pricing.
Each weight class features some of the best talent from around the country. Three top-ranked wrestlers will make appearances at the Midlands, including the Wildcats' Jason Tsirtsis at 149 lbs. and Mike McMullan at 285 lbs. A.J. Schopp of Edinboro will compete at 133 lbs.
The 165 lbs. weight class features eight ranked competitors, including four in the top-10. Wisconsin's Isaac Jordan (No. 3), Indiana's Taylor Walsh (No. 4), Iowa's Nick Moore (No. 7) and Northwestern's Pierce Harger (No. 8) highlight the group. A complete list of top contenders can be found here.
The Wildcats will have eight wrestlers in action on Monday.
Jason Tsirtsis leads the top contenders list at 149 lbs. The sophomore has won 32 straight matches dating back to last season and holds a 16-0 mark so far in 2014. Tsirtsis placed fifth at the Midlands a season ago.
Senior Mike McMullan also enters the Midlands with an undefeated record and top national ranking. At 11-0 so far this season, McMullan will look to win his first Midlands championship.
Pierce Harger and Alex Polizzi are both ranked eighth nationally in their respective weight classes. Harger won five matches at last year's Midlands and finished fourth at 165 lbs. Polizzi also won five matches on his way to a fifth-place finish.
Dominick Malone will compete at 133 lbs. and Jameson Oster wrestles at 141. Stevan Micic (125) and Johnny Sebastian (174) will wrestle unattached for Northwestern.
Fans are encouraged to join the conversation via social media by using the hashtag #Midlands52. Final brackets will be released on Dec. 28.
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