For many years, Midlands (or "The" Midlands, depending on whom you ask) presented a wrestling tournament so tough that it rivaled the NCAA championships in depth of talent pool. This is no longer the case. Midlands may not even be the second best tournament of the college wrestling season, but it can still claim to be a damn fine wrestling tournament.
Tonight we see the last of the tournament's four sessions: the gold medal finals. The University of Iowa, the number three team in the country, currently enjoys an insurmountable team points lead, but we, nevertheless, will see some compelling matchups in the finals tonight at 9pm EST on Big Ten Network.
Finals Matchups
125: Thomas Gilman-Iowa v. Jarrod Garnett-Post Graduate
Garnett is the only post-graduate wrestler in the finals, he won this tournament last year.
133: #6-Joe Colon-UNI v. #1-Tony Ramos-Iowa
Ramos is the best wrestler at this weight in the country and the heavy favorite.
141: #2-Mitchell Port-Edinboro v. Steven Rodrigues-Illinois
Port ought to roll.
149: #14-Eric Grajales-Michigan v. Mitch Minotti-Lehigh
You really never know what Eric Grajales will do. He should win, but he could also lose this match and I would shrug my shoulders
157: #1-Derek St. John-Iowa v. #9-Taylor Walsh-Indiana
DSJ won nationals last year. Taylor Walsh has looked like a straight killer all year.
165: #4-Steven Monk-NDSU v. #5-Nick Moore-Iowa
The perennially under-the-rader Monk takes on the much improved Nick Moore
174: #6-Mike Evans-Iowa v. Shane Hughes-Columbia
Expect Evans to smash
184: #4-Ethen Lofthouse-Iowa v. #2-Jimmy Sheptock-Maryland
Expect boredom
197: #19-Braden Atwood-Purdue v. #12-Christian Boley-Maryland
I like Boley for some reason, I hope he wins.
285: #3-Bobby Telford-Iowa v. #4-Adam Coon-Michigan
Two big, strong and offensive heavies.
Enjoy the matches, enjoy the discussion