Midlands Wrestling Tournament Begins

[ngineer]

Lehigh will only be filling 8 weight classes at the prestigious Midlands being held at Northwestern University today and tomorrow. Beckman could not make weight at 125 and will go 133, while defending National Champ at 285, Zach Rey is scratched due to a 'ding' to a arm, so he's being held out for precautionary measures. Robert Hamlin at 184 is #1 seed. I'm looking for super soph. Steve Dutton to make some noise at 141, as he's been out a couple weeks post-concussion rehab. This tourney is a great measuring stick for how well one stacks up to top flight competition in looking ahead to the NCAA's in mid-March.

[ngineer]

Lehigh's Robert Hamlin (#1 at 184) and Joe Kennedy (#7 at 197) have made it to the semi-finals. Mountain Hawk's #6 Brandon Hatchett at 165 had to default in the quarterfinals with a fx collarbone. With fingers crossed, he may be back in time for post season tournaments with begin first weekend in March. In the meantime, Sr 157 pounder Sean Bilodeau may move up to take Hatchett's spot in the lineup. Lehigh still has 4 wrestlers alive in wrestle backs for placing.

[ngineer]

Lehigh finished 7th with Robert Hamlin winning the title at 184 lbs. The second LU wrestler in two years to do so and only the fourth in school history. Joe Kennedy did well placing 5th at 197, with both losses being very narrow. Surprise entrant, Shane Welsh at 149 finished 8th. Fielding only 8 wrestlers, the 7th place finish was quite good. Had NCAA champ Rey been able to go at 285 a top 4 finish would have been likely.
Lehigh next in action on January 8 at Cornell, as the Big Red will look for payback from last year's huge upset at Stabler Arena when Cornell was ranked #1.