We're closing out 2017 with a bang, bringing you live coverage of the 55th annual Ken Kraft Midlands Championships at the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates, IL, on Dec. 29th and 30th. The event begins at 9:30 AM Central time for your viewing pleasure.

As of this writing, we do not have pre-seeds, just the "top contenders” that have been released on social media. They are listed in order of rank, with their school, grade, and record against Division I competition excluding forfeits. We also include the picks for Nomad, Bader, Spey and Joe Kania.

125 Pounds

Top Contenders

#2 Nick Suriano (Rutgers), SO: 9-0

#7 Sean Russell (Edinboro), JR: 11-2

#10 Luke Welch (Purdue), SR: 12-2

#13 Ryan Millhof (Arizona State), JR: 7-2

#14 Jake Gromacki (Clarion), JR: 4-2

#15 Ronnie Bresser (Oregon State), JR: 2-2

#16 Sebastian Rivera (Northwestern), FR: 10-0

#17 Travis Piotrowski (Illinois), SO: 6-0

Kyle Akins (Buffalo), JR: 6-4

Brock Hudkins (Northern Illinois), SO: 7-3

Connor Brown (South Dakota State), FR: 4-5

Spencer Lee (Iowa-Unattached), FR: 3-0

How will Nick Suriano of @RUWrestling fare in his first-ever Midlands? ?#Midlands55 pic.twitter.com/30OHUm3SJ9

— The Midlands (@MidlandsChamps) December 21, 2017

Commentary: If you asked 100 wrestling fans what potential match they would most like to see this season, Nick Suriano vs. Spencer Lee would be at or near the top of the list. They haven’t wrestled since October 2013, when they met in the Super 32 finals (video below). Since then, Lee has won three age level world titles and Suriano has risen to No. 2 in the country at 125lb, holding a 25-1 career record in college with 18 bonus-point wins.

Simply put, this is a clash of the titans, and that’s before factoring in the tantalizing possibility that Iowa coach Tom Brands pulls Lee off redshirt and throws him into the fire for the second semester. If that happens, the match gets the added value of seeding for the Big Ten championships.

Looking at the rest of the field, Sean Russell can virtually lock himself into position for a top eight seed at NCAAs with a finish in the first through third range. Last year this time, he was at the Southern Scuffle and finished fourth, including a win over Nick Piccininni.

Sebastian Rivera was fourth here last year, the highest-returning placer at the weight, and is undefeated so far this season but has yet to wrestle anyone ranked. Midlands is the beginning of what will be a very challenging second semester for him. Ryan Millhof had a strange CKLV in which he lost to Jay Schwarm in a very controversial match and then didn’t place because he was pinned by Drew Mattin in the next round.

Luke Welch of Purdue had looked great after dropping down from 133, carrying his University Nationals title over the summer into an undefeated start during this regular season. But then he went 2-2 at CKLV, being upset by Christian Moody and Louie Hayes.

Nomad’s Picks: 1) Nick Suriano 2) Spencer Lee 3) Sean Russell 4) Sebastian Rivera

Bader's Picks: 1) Nick Suriano 2) Spencer Lee 3) Sean Russell 4) Ryan Millhof

Spey's Picks: 1) Nick Suriano 2) Spencer Lee 3) Sebastian Rivera 4) Ryan Millhof

Kania's Picks: 1) Nick Suriano 2) Spencer Lee 3) Sean Russell 4) Sebastian Rivera

Keys To Victory: Lee Over Suriano

133 Pounds

Top Contenders

#1 Seth Gross (South Dakota St), JR: 5-0

#13 Scott DelVecchio (Rutgers), SR: 5-0

#14 Korbin Myers (Edinboro), SO: 8-5

#16 Cam Kelly (Ohio), JR: 13-3

#19 Bryan Lantry (Buffalo), JR: 4-2

#20 Dylan Duncan (Illinois), FR: 3-2

Ali Naser (Arizona State), SR: 9-6

Paul Glynn (Iowa), SO: 0-2

Jason Renteria (Nebraska), FR: 0-0

Ben Thornton (Purdue), JR: 11-4

Last year, Seth Gross placed third at Midlands. What about this year? #Midlands55 pic.twitter.com/q09gHfCC2e

— The Midlands (@MidlandsChamps) December 22, 2017

Commentary: The lack of top 10 guys certainly hurts the star power factor, but that’s never stopped this tournament from being great. Seth Gross could legitimately bonus his way through this field and remind everyone why he is the heavy favorite to become South Dakota State’s first DI national champ in any sport.

DelVecchio was sixth here last year but hasn’t had much of an opportunity to prove himself this season. However, he is a huge part of the team race. We’ve already went over Arizona State’s legitimate shot to outscore Iowa, and we are also looking into if Rutgers may be able to do the same. Him being a realistic shot to make the finals could makes Rutgers a serious threat to win.

Korbin Myers seemed like a head scratcher at CKLV, coming in as the fifth seed despite not being ranked. But he then earned his ranking by knocking off two ACC foes in Zach Sherman of North Carolina and Dennus Gustafson of Virginia Tech and will be looking to prove his ranking while in Illinois.

Cam Kelly is a great value. It’s never a bad thing to bet high on guys who are very good from top. All of his losses are excusable, and then you see things like 6-5 over Vito Arujau, 17-0 over Gabe Townsell, and 15-7 over Noah Baughman. Don’t be surprised when Kelly puts someone good on his back and improves upon last year’s seventh-place finish.

Bryan Lantry has tumbled from his preseason spot of seventh all the way down to 19th. He and Dylan Duncan are on the outside looking to place, though a good performance at Midlands is a great way to turn around or kick-start a season.

Lastly, we should probably note that Iowa’s 133 slot seems like it will be determined based on finish. Whoever does better between Paul Glynn and Phillip Laux will likely be the Hawkeyes' starter for the remaining duals and Big Ten championships entry.

Nomad’s Picks: 1) Seth Gross  2) Scott DelVecchio  3) Cam Kelly  4) Korbin Myers

Bader's Picks: 1) Seth Gross  2) Bryan Lantry  3) Scott DelVecchio  4) Cam Kelly

Spey's Picks: 1) Seth Gross  2) Dylan Duncan  3) Scott DelVecchio  4) Cam Kelly

Kania's Picks: 1) Seth Gross  2) Scott DelVecchio  3) Cam Kelly  4) Zach Sherman

FloZone Is Coming To Midlands!

141 Pounds

Top Contenders

#9 Mason Smith (Central Michigan), SO: 14-3

#11 Kanen Storr (Iowa State), FR: 8-6

#12 Brock Zacherl (Clarion), JR: 11-0

#16 Eli Stickley (Wisconsin), SO: 12-4

#18 Ryan Diehl (Maryland), JR: 4-2

Alexander Jaffe (Harvard), SO: 8-4

Cole Weaver (Indiana), JR: 12-4

Alec Hagan (Ohio), FR: 16-3

Nate Limmex (Purdue), SO: 9-7

Mike Van Brill (Rutgers), FR: 6-3

One thing is for sure. We will have a first-time champion at 141 lbs. this year at #Midlands55. pic.twitter.com/HaHLLQo8MV

— The Midlands (@MidlandsChamps) December 22, 2017

Commentary: Mason Smith was a huge revelation at CKLV and will put up a ton of team points for Central Michigan at Midlands. He came in as the ninth seed and in sequential order on the backside teched Nikko Villareal and Eli Stickley and then pinned Tommy Thorn. Seems unlikely he’ll be 1-2 at this tournament again.

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However, one of Smith's losses at CKLV was to Kanen Storr, who might lead a small contingent of Iowa State wrestlers to Illinois. He's the highest returning placer from last year's tournament and could use some of his stellar short offense to bully his way to a title.

Brock Zacherl has been nothing but consistent for Clarion. He finds himself ranked 12th, right on the cusp of a breakthrough that is about as close as you can get from Nos. 1 through 20. He doesn’t lose a whole lot of matches that he’s not supposed to or lose much at all, as he has fewer than 10 career varsity losses.

There are no returning placers at 141 pounds; however, Eli Stickley of Wisconsin was eighth at 133 and has since bumped up. Ryan Diehl rounds out the list of ranked guys, which means there will be a lot of unranked guys who get seeded.

Among the unranked wrestlers, I like Mike Van Brill to push his way into the top four. The evidence is growing stronger that Anthony Ashnault is done for the season and will be shooting for a sixth year, but I don't think the pressure of filling in for the three-time All-American will affect him much if at all.

Additionally, expect Iowa to hash out its starting spot between redshirt freshman Carter Happel and sophomore Vince Turk.

Nomad's Picks: 1) Kanen Storr  2) Mason Smith  3) Brock Zacherl  4) Eli Stickley

Bader's Picks: 1) Kanen Storr 2) Mason Smith 3) Eli Stickley 4) Brock Zacherl

Spey's Picks: 1) Mason Smith  2) Ryan Diehl  3) Brock Zacherl  4) Mike Van Brill

Kania's Picks: 1) Kanen Storr  2) Eli Stickley  3) Mason Smith  4) Brock Zacherl

7 Matches From The Midlands Archives

149 Pounds

Top Contenders

#2 Brandon Sorensen (Iowa), SR

#3 Justin Oliver (Central Michigan), JR

#7 Matt Kolodzik (Princeton), SO

#13 Ryan Deakin (Northwestern), FR

#14 Josh Maruca (Arizona State), SO

#17 Eleazar DeLuca (Rutgers), SR

Jason Tsirtsis (Arizona State), SR

Tanner Smith (Eastern Michigan), FR

Peter Pappas (Edinboro), FR

Brandon Wright (Unattached), PG

Some questions to be answered in about a weeks' time:

• Will @bj_sorensen win his 3rd-straight championship?
• Will @JasonTsirtsis place for the 6th time?
• Will @RyanDeakinn defend his home territory?

HIGH DRAMA. #B1GCats pic.twitter.com/3kiTrtJAni

— The Midlands (@MidlandsChamps) December 23, 2017

Commentary: Brandon Sorensen has an excellent track record at Midlands, finishing third twice and winning the event each of the past two years. He's been the second best guy in the country for just about two years and doesn't appear to be slowing down anytime soon. That consistency has been a huge part of Iowa's recent dominance of this tournament.

Justin Oliver looked fantastic at the CKLV, and the 2016 All-American seems to have a chip on his shoulder this year. He should once again be the two seed, and threw up 24 team points last year, the most of any runner-up. I look forward to his semi with Matt Kolodzik, whom Oliver has never wrestled.

Kolodzik is coming off a loss to Ke-Shawn Hayes, the only ranked guy he has wrestled thus far (minus Max Thomsen at the All-Star). The lack of tests makes it hard to pick him, especially coming up a weight, though he did have three major tests en route to last year's finals: Luke Pletcher, Chad Red, and Kevin Jack.

But this weight is more than just three deep, adding in junior world silver medalist and returning third-placer Ryan Deakin and Rutgers senior Eleazar De Luca. Then we also have the wrinkle of a battle for a starting spot between Josh Maruca and past NCAA champ Jason Tsirtsis.

It's very easy to see this weight going chalk approximately with the seeding, though post-grad Brandon Wright (the U.S. Open finalist) and UNC freshman Austin O'Connor, who beat #4 Troy Heilmann in a wrestle off, could make things interesting.

Nomad's Picks: 1) Brandon Sorensen  2) Justin Oliver  3) Ryan Deakin  4) Matt Kolodzik

Bader's Picks: 1) Brandon Sorensen 2) Matt Kolodzik 3) Justin Oliver 4) Jason Tsirtsis

Spey's Picks: 1) Brandon Sorensen  2) Jason Tsirtsis  3) Ryan Deakin  4) Justin Oliver

Kania's picks: 1) Brandon Sorensen 2) Matt Kolodzik 3) Justin Oliver 4) Ryan Deakin

Midlands Headlines 8 Holiday Events

157 Pounds

Top Contenders

#2 Michael Kemerer (Iowa), SO:

#7 Josh Shields (Arizona State), SO: 

#11 Luke Zilverberg (South Dakota State), SR:

#15 Colin Heffernan (Central Michigan), SR

#20 Larry Early (Old Dominion), SO:

Justin Staudenmayer (Brown), SR:

Kyle Langenderfer (Illinois), SR:

Mike D'Angelo (Princeton), JR:

Zachary Moore (West Virginia), SO:

Andrew Crone (Wisconsin), SR: 

Michael Kemerer is the reigning champ.

Will he be dethroned? ?‍♂️#Midlands55 pic.twitter.com/kXvYwWGkJ4

— The Midlands (@MidlandsChamps) December 23, 2017

Commentary: I'm thoroughly excited for 157. Michael Kemerer transitions so smoothly from his feet to finish takedowns from neutral. One thing I'll be paying attention to, and may even try to average out across all his matches at the tournament, is the conversion time from the start of his shot to a takedown. It will be a huge part of his attempt to repeat.

As a senior at Franklin Regional High School, Kemerer was the undefeated 145lb Pennsylvania state champ. Up two weight classes at 160 was teammate Josh Shields, who will likely be the finals opponent in the way of Kemerer's second straight Midlands title. Shields has wrestled perhaps the nation's toughest schedule and has thus far suffered only one loss.

Zilverberg seems to be doing just fine down a weight from last year, and Larry Early is ranked in his first full year at Old Dominion after transferring from Minnesota. Those two seem like safer bets to place than Colin Heffernan, who hasn't wrestled since suffering an injury at CKLV. If fully healthy, the Central Michigan wrestler could have an excellent tournament.

This weight is very similar to most of this year's field: It's top heavy in the 3-5 range, with a handful of unranked guys who can produce upsets and will end up placing because there aren't eight ranked guys in the weight, not to mention great redshirts like Brady Berge. But the final is a critical part of the team race.

Nomad's Picks: 1) Michael Kemerer  2) Josh Shields  3) Luke Zilverberg  4) Larry Early

Bader's Picks: 1) Michael Kemerer 2) Josh Shields 3) Luke Zilverberg 4) Colin Heffernan

Spey's Picks: 1) Michael Kemerer  2) Josh Sheilds  3) Colin Heffernan  4) Justin Staudenmayer

Kania's picks: 1) Michael Kemerer 2) Josh Shields 3) Colin Hefffernan 4) Larry Early

Can Richie Lewis Turn The Tables On Marinelli?

165 Pounds

Top Contenders

#12 Alex Marinelli (Iowa), FR: 2-0

#13 Richie Lewis (Rutgers), SR: 1-1

#15 Anthony Valencia (Arizona State), SO: 10-5

Bryce Martin (Indiana), JR:

Austin Reese (Ohio), JR:

May Bethea (Penn), SR: 6-3

Jon Schleifer (Princeton), SR:

Will @Imar165 become the 44th three-time champion of the Midlands? Only time will tell ⏱#Midlands55 pic.twitter.com/u6iTPuqiQM

— The Midlands (@MidlandsChamps) December 23, 2017

Commentary: This weight is thoroughly depleted from the one we thought we'd initially see. We learned via twitter that both #2 Isaiah Martinez and #6 Evan Wick won't be competing. Additionally, Austin Matthews of Edinboro was tweeted out as a top contender, but he will not be making the trip.

This is great news for guys like Anthony Valencia, Alex Marinelli, and Richie Lewis. With Valencia's pin over Marinelli in last year's third place match, he now likely ascends to the top seed. The sophomore has an excellent bonus rate, as only one of Valencia's wins this year has been by decision.

Marinelli and Lewis is a rematch I would love to see and could very well determine if Lewis stays up or not. Marinelli was fourth at Midlands last year, getting pinned by Anthony Valencia in the third-place match. Rutgers will be pesky throughout all of Midlands as they push for the team title, and this is the one weight where RU, Arizona State, and Iowa all have wrestlers who should be seeded to place.

Seeding will be huge now for fourth place, with Bryce Martin of Indiana, Austin Reese of Ohio, Jon Schleifer of Princeton and May Bethea of Penn all among the listed top contenders.

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Nomad's Picks: 1) Anthony Valencia  2) Alex Marinelli  3) Richie Lewis  4) May Bethea

What Does Midlands Mean For NCAAs This Year?

174 pounds

Top Contenders

#1 Zahid Valencia (Arizona State), SO

#9 David Kocer (South Dakota State), SR

#14 CJ Brucki (Central Michigan), SR

#15 Dylan Lydy (Purdue), SO

#20 Seldon Wright (Old Dominion), JR

Josef Johnson (Harvard)

Devin Skatzka (Indiana)

Joey Gunther (Iowa)

Johnny Sebastian (Northwestern)

Ryan Christensen (Wisconsin)

Is anyone going to top the reigning champ and No. 1-ranked Zahid Valencia next week? #Midlands55 pic.twitter.com/fNQyi09feF

— The Midlands (@MidlandsChamps) December 24, 2017

Commentary: There are two wrestlers ranked at the top of their weight classes at this year's Midlands, Seth Gross at 133 and Zahid Valencia at 174. There appears to be no serious challengers to Valencia winning his second straight Midlands title, so we may see the junior world silver medalist work on other techniques beyond his swing single.

David Kocer is looking to close out his career the same way as his older brother, Alex, with an All-American finish. On the road to that, Kocer would like to make up for last year's Midlands, when he was seeded fifth but did not place. Kocer is typically good for a big upset every now and then, but he'll be the favorite in nearly every match he wrestles.

I included Dylan Lydy of Purdue in my article about guys who could crash the rankings in the second half of the season. It wouldn't surprise me if Lydy duplicated his CKLV win over CJ Brucki, just this time for third place.

Nomad's Picks: 1) Zahid Valencia  2) David Kocer  3) Dylan Lydy  4) CJ Brucki

Bader's Picks: 1) Zahid Valencia 2) David Kocer 3) Christian Brucki 4) Dylan Lydy

Spey's Picks: 1) Zahid Valencia  2) David Kocer  3) CJ Brucki  4) Josef Johnson

Kania's Picks: 1) Zahid Valencia 2) David Kocer 3) CJ Brucki 4) Josef Johnson

WATCH MIDLANDS LIVE ON FLO

184 Pounds

Top Contenders

#8 Ricky Robertson (Wisconsin), SR: 13-3

#10 Emery Parker (Illinois), JR: 5-1

#11 Nick Gravina (Rutgers), JR: 5-0

#15 Jordan Ellingwood (Central Michigan), SR: 11-5

#17 Joe Heyob (Penn), SR: 7-1

Kordell Norfleet (Arizona State), JR: 4-4

CJ LaFragola (Brown), JR: 6-2

Dylan Reynolds (Edinboro), SO: 4-4

Mitch Bowman (Iowa), JR: 4-2

Mitch Sliga (Northwestern), SR: 10-4

Who ya got at 184? ?#Midlands55 pic.twitter.com/BixLlFpJIi

— The Midlands (@MidlandsChamps) December 24, 2017

Commentary: There's a bit of a rock/paper/scissors at the top, with Ricky Robertson losing to Jordan Ellingwood at the Michigan State Open, and then beating Emery Parker at the Roadrunner Open. But we will might see Parker seeded to wrestle Ellingwood in the semifinals; Parker has beaten Ellingwood each of the past two season.

The one most hard to seed, and generally evaluate heading into this, is Nicky Gravina of Rutgers. He lost to both Ellingwood and Parker last season, and always has the possibility of his shoulder popping out during a match.

Joe Heyob rounds out the ranked wrestlers competing this weekend. An NCAA qualifier who finished seventh at EIWAs, he has some unfinished business to attend to. Now a senior, Heyob was 0-2 as a freshman in his only prior Midlands appearance.

Kordell Norfleet continues to be a trendy darkhorse pick, though he only went 2-2 at CKLV. CJ LaFragola has a ranked win over Michael Coleman of Navy, and would love a shot at avenging his CKLV loss to Robertson.

Nomad's Picks: 1) Jordan Ellingwood  2) Ricky Robertson  3) Emery Parker  4) Nick Gravina

Bader's Picks: 1) Ricky Robertson 2) Nick Gravina 3) Emery Parker 4) Jordan Ellingwood

Spey's Picks: 1) Nick Gravina  2) Emery Parker  3) Ricky Robertson  4) Jordan Ellingwood

Kania's Picks: 1) Ricky Robertson 2) Joe Heyob 3) Emery Parker 4) Jordan Ellingwood

Midlands Most Exciting Unattached Wrestlers

197 Pounds

Top Contenders

#6 Nate Rotert (South Dakota State), SR: 4-1

#8 Cash Wilcke (Iowa), SO: 6-0

#13 Corey Griego (Oregon State), JR: 7-2

#15 Frank Mattiace (Penn), SR: 11-2

Jacob Warner (Iowa), FR:

Patrick Brucki (Princeton), FR: 9-3

Christian Brunner (Purdue), SO: 9-4

Kevin Mulligan (Rutgers), FR: 7-4

Chris Weiler Lehigh

Hunter Ritter Wisconsin

Last year, Nate Rotert came up just short.

Will #Midlands55 be his year? ? pic.twitter.com/y2TUgNYTuw

— The Midlands (@MidlandsChamps) December 24, 2017

Commentary: Nate Rotert was the 1 seed last year, only to fall in the finals to the since graduated Aaron Studebaker. It appears he will be the 1 seed once again, joining his teammate Seth Gross. South Dakota State is likely to finish fourth or higher as a team in their first major test as a team outside the Minnesota dual.

Rarely is there a roster battle as strange as the one that will play out in Illinois. Cash Wilcke was thrust into the starting role last year, and wound up in the round of 12. He's now in the Top-8 at what many consider a depleted weight class, though he lost a wrestle off to Jacob Warner, the freshman who will be wrestling in his home state; Warner also has a win over #2 Willie Miklus. 

Outside Rotert and Downey, the field has been pretty hot and cold. Wilcke has a loss to Christian Brunner from last season, and Brunner has fallen out of the rankings after looking like he'd be a mainstay in them at the beginning of the year. Corey Griego and Frank Mattiace have their moments, and freshmen Pat Brucki and Kevin Mulligan might end up being safer bets. It appears Chris Weiler is being sent to Midlands instead of the Scuffle.

Nomad's Picks: 1) Nate Rotert  2) Jacob Warner  3) Cash Wilcke  4) Christian Brunner

Santa Visits Hawkeyes, Tells Quality Joke

285 Pounds

Top Contenders

#4 Tanner Hall (Arizona State), JR: 6-2

#6 Amar Dhesi (Oregon State), SR:

#8 Sam Stoll (Iowa), JR:

#12 Billy Miller (Edinboro), JR:

#13 Youssif Hemida (Maryland), JR: 7-0

#15 Shawn Streck (Purdue), FR:

#19 Matt Stencel (Central Michigan), FR:

#20 Gage Hutchison (Eastern Michigan), SR:

Jake Gunning (Buffalo), JR: 5-1

Conan Jennings (Northwestern)

Deuce Rachal (Illinois)

Last but not least.

Who's got the advantage at heavyweight? #Midlands55 pic.twitter.com/CG8lxKKJ4u

— The Midlands (@MidlandsChamps) December 24, 2017

Commentary: Half of last year's champs return, with Arizona State big man Tanner Hall rounding out the crew. There will be no Adam Coon in the field, who has been Hall's only stumble this year, though the junior will certainly want another crack at the mammoth Michigan man come March.

Sam Stoll is hoping for revenge from last year's semis loss to Hall, which in turn could help Iowa overcome their biggest threat to their fifth straight Midlands team title. He has five pins on the year thus far.

We have no idea what to make of Billy Miller of Edinboro. If he wrestles, it will be his first action of the year coming off an injury. Miller's hard to hold down and doesn't mind pushing for upsets, but this isn't the easiest place to make your season debut.

Youssif Hemida won his only test of the year so far, a 3-1 victory over Nathan Butler in the Stanford dual. Iowa forfeited to him with the dual out of reach, tough Stoll beat him 15-4 at the end of 2016 season. Hemida has been the lone bright spot for Maryland this season.

There is an interesting potential quarterfinal between Shawn Streck of Purdue and Matt Stencel of Central Michigan. Streck is higher ranked, but fell 4-3 to Stencel in a recent dual meet.

Though not ranked, Jake Gunning is a MAC champ who may mind himself on the podium.

Nomad's Picks: 1) Tanner Hall  2) Sam Stoll  3) Youssif Hemida  4) Shawn Streck

Bader's Picks: 1) Sam Stoll 2) Tanner Hall 3) Youssif Hemida 4) Billy Miller

Spey's Picks: 1) Tanner Hall  2) Amar Dhesi  3) Youssif Hemida  4) Sam Stoll

Kania's Picks: 1) Tanner Hall 2) Sam Stoll 3) Billy Miller 4) Conan Jennings