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Midlands wrestling tournament canceled
Northwestern’s annual event will return in 2022
HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — The 58th annual Ken Kraft Midlands Championships has been canceled “out of an abundance of caution for the health and safety of all tournament participants,” according to a release on the Northwestern website.
The tournament was scheduled for Dec. 29-30 at NOW Arena.
“The top-tier collegiate wrestling event ... will not be rescheduled for this season and will look to return to the mat in December of 2022,” the release noted.
Tickets will be refunded at the original place of purchase.
"The tradition of the Midlands is a major part of the wrestling community, however ensuring the health and safety of all participants, coaches, staff members, and fans is our top priority," Director of the Midlands Championships Tim Cysewski in the release. "Given the evolution of the most recent COVID-19 variant and a recent surge in cases, we certainly understand the gravity of the situation and our responsibility to limit its spread.
“While we are disappointed that we do not get to host this year's event, we fully expect the Midlands to be back and better than ever in 2022."
The Midlands annually feature some of the country's top wrestlers and teams. Iowa and UNI were scheduled to compete.
Iowa's Alex Marinelli wrestles Bucknell's Zachary Hartman in a 165-pound semifinal match during the Midlands Wrestling Tournament in Hoffman Estates, Ill., in 2019. This year’s tournament has been canceled. (David Harmantas/Freelance)
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