Wrestling

Wrestlers Set for Midwest Classic

          The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville wrestling team competed in two wrestling meets over the weekend.
          Half of the team competed at the Midlands Invitational, hosted by Northwestern University, and the other half of the team competed Midwest Open, hosted by the University of Dubuque.
          At the Midlands Invitational, the Cougars had three wrestlers one spot away from placing, including Rashad Riley (Hoffman Estates) at 133 pounds, Joe Rujawitz (Belleville) at 157 and John Ficht (Burbank) at 165.
          Riley lost by injury default at 133 with a knee injury which held him back from placing.
          Both Rujawitz and Ficht lost sudden death matches in their weight classes.
          The Cougars finished 27th overall, placing them ahead of many top schools including Upper Iowa, San Francisco State, Army, Boston University and Eastern Michigan.
          "They wrestled tough, and we need to try and continue that into the Midwest Classic coming up this weekend," said SIUE wrestling coach Khris Whelan.
          At the Midwest Open, five Cougars placed in their divisions.
          Steve Chico (Chicago) was the champion and Scott Audo (Glenarm) placed fourth in the 125-pound weight class. Nicholas Shumate (Overland Park, Kan.) placed third in the 133 pound division.
          Dan Midgett (Flat Rock) took fifth at 174 pounds while Sean Tyus (Springfield) placed second in the 197-pound division.
          The Cougars will wrestle next at the Midwest Classic at an all day event in Indianapolis, Ind.
                    -siue-