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Wildcats Hunting For More Hardware At 2008 NCAA Championships
March 18, 2008
2008 NCAA Championships Brackets
Listen to Fox preview the NCAA Championships with WNUR EVANSTON, Ill. -- One year ago, Northwestern departed for the NCAA Championships looking to cement itself among the nation's wrestling elite. The Wildcats accomplished that mission last season, taking fourth place and earning their first individual title since 1990. This season, a familiar cast of characters heads to St. Louis looking to prove that 2007 was not a fluke and that the Wildcats will be a force to be reckoned with for years to come. "We are in a unique position where all six of our representatives are contenders and threats at their respective weights," head coach Tim Cysewski said. "Not a lot of teams can claim that all of their entrants are potential All-Americans or national champions." For the first time in Cysewski's 19-year tenure, all of Northwestern's entrants in the NCAA Championships are seeded entering the three-day tournament. Last season, the Wildcats sent six to the NCAA Championships and came away with four All-Americans. The 'Cats again send six to the national tournament with all six gunning for All-America status. NU's delegation is a mix of youth and experience. Big Ten champion and top-ranked heavyweight Dustin Fox is one of four seniors going to St. Louis. Fox takes the No. 1 seed into this year's tournament. "Dustin regained the No. 1 seed with a win at the Big Ten Championships," Cysewski said. "He wrestled to dominate and we think he can be even more successful this weekend." Ryan Lang finished second last year at 141 lbs. and will look to be an All-American contender at 149. He was tabbed as the No. 11 seed. "Ryan is already a two-time All-American and was a finalist last year," Cysewski said. "While his weight is arguably the most challenging in the nation, he knows how to peak at the right time." Third-seeded Mike Tamillow took second place at the Big Ten Championships and is looking to improve on his seventh-place national finish at 197. "Every year, Mike has elevated himself at the national championships," Cysewski said. "This year, his expectations are to win a championship and nothing else." Fifth-year senior and 12th-seeded Nick Hayes took a career-best fourth at Big Ten's and has one more chance to be an NCAA All-American at 174. "Nick is a three-time qualifier wrestling in his last NCAA Championships," Cysewski said. "He had a big first-round win last year, and with an outstanding effort, he will be on the All-American podium." The seniors are joined by eighth-seeded Brandon Precin -- who is making his second trip to the NCAA Championships in his two seasons -- and 11th-seeded Keith Sulzer, who earned fourth place in his first season competing in the Big Ten. "Precin had a successful first trip to this tournament last year and his and our expectations are for him to be an All-American this season," Cysewski said. "Sulzer had a terrific Big Ten season and earned a seed in his first trip to nationals. He is no stranger to national tournaments as he has competed and succeeded at every level." Tournament/Television Schedule
Thursday, March 20
Friday, March 21
Saturday, March 22
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