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February 27, 2008 Regional Web Site Cougars Head to Regionals EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. -- This is where it gets good. The Southern Illinois University Edwardsville wrestling team heads to Indianapolis Saturday to participate in the Midwest Regional Championships on the campus of the University of Indianapolis. The top four wrestlers in each weight class will advance to the NCAA Division II Championships finals at the U.S. Cellular Center in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, on March 14-15. Despite having a difficult season going 1-11 in dual meets, coach Patrick McNamara is ready to lead his team to the upcoming regional championships. "I am excited to see what our guys do this weekend. We have eight guys who have worked hard all year long, and I am excited for them to get out and compete at this year regionals," said McNamara. Leading the charge is freshman standout Eric Pretto (Orland Park). Pretto, 18-13, has been ranked in the top eight nationally for most of the season at 157 pounds. Joining Pretto in leading the Cougars is Tommy Hill (Roxana) and Nicholas Shumate (Overland Park, Kan.). For the season, Hill is 14-10 at 133 pounds while Shumate has compiled an 18-14 record in the 141-pound weight class. For the NCAA Division II Regional Championships, everyone has to wrestle their way to the Nationals. All of the past matches this season have no bearing on advancing. "Season records mean nothing this weekend. Everyone starts clean and has the same chance to make it out and to NCAAs. If our guys perform well this weekend, they have a chance to participate in the NCAAs," said McNamara. SIUE Wrestlers Participating This Weekend 133 – Tommy Hill 141 – Nick Shumate 149 – Kyle Cunningham 157 – Eric Pretto 165 – Blake Reed 174 – Dan Midgett 197 – Chris Flaugher HWT – Brian Brooks -siue cougars- |