The mats have just been rolled up on the 56th Midlands. Ten horses have added their names to the historic list of champions and Iowa dominated the team race. But here we take a closer look at the teams and programs that elevated their status with big weekends.

9. Brown's Jon Viruet and Christian LaFragola

Viruet placed 5th and LaFragola 6th, but perhaps more impressive than their placements were how hard they scrapped. Viruet was in an epic with eventual champ Alex Marinelli. These Ivy boys can bang. 

8. Brit Wilson, Northern Illinois

A redshirt frosh from the state of Missouri, Wilson is quietly rising. He lost only to Taylor Lujan in a 3rd place showing and is 13-3 on the season.

7. Bucknell's Joey Gould and Zach Hartman

Shout out to Dan Wirnsberger. Two top five guys in Zach Hartman (3rd) and Joey Gould (5th). Hartman only lost to Kaleb Young and beat Christian Pagdilao, John Van Brill, and Mike D'Angelo. Gould scored an early win over Tristan Moran 

6. The Camels Are Comin'

What a job Cary Kolat is doing at Campbell. They placed 10th as a team and got their first Midlands finalist (Gonsor) in program history. The level of their entire team looked markedly improved.

5. Native Iowans

There was a great deal of strong performances by products out of the state of Iowa. Common perception have been that the number of 'elite' talent has been waning in the state in recent years. But these guys brought it this weekend - Kyle Biscoglia, Michael Blockhus, Max Thomsen, Bryce Steiert, Drew Foster, Cash Wilcke, and Tanner Sloan.

4. Princeton Tigers

Prior to this weekend, Princeton was 9th in the NCAA team rankings - the highest ranked EIWA team in the country. And they looked every bit the part, placing 5th as a team, crowning two champs (Kolodzik/Brucki) and a 3rd (Glory).

3. The Freshmen

The field was loaded with some of the top talent from the high school Class of 2018. Most of them redshirts, and without a whole lot of college results, they hit each other early and often. Still, eleven true freshmen made the semifinals and ten made the podium. Here they are with their overall Big Board Rank: Mason Parris (#3), Sammy Sasso (#4), Jacori Teemer (#8), Gavin Hoffman (#10), Tony Cassioppi (#14), Patrick Glory (#17), Michael Blockhus (#44), Lucas Davison (#49), Kyle Biscoglia (NR), Tanner Sloan (NR).

2. Tanner Sloan, South Dakota State - 197

Sloan was talked about within the state of Iowa as 'having potential' as a high school senior last year. And he posted some good wins earlier this season including over Nebraska's Eric Schultz. But the wrestling community couldn't have been fully prepared for this performance. Sloan teched the Junior World team rep (Jacob Warner) and then beat the Junior Fargo Champ (Luke Davison) in back-to-back matches. Needless to say, South Dakota State has a real talent on their hands with the farm boy from Alburnett, Iowa as he finished runner-up.

1. Northern Iowa's Panther Train

Two champs, four in the finals and seven placers? Are you kidding me? The Panthers went six-for-six in the quarters Saturday night and kept it rolling with a four-for-six round in the semi's. Two (Kyle Biscoglia and Michael Blockus) are true freshmen. UNI finished 2nd as a team and made a huge statement.