No. 18 ISU wrestling went to Illinois for the Midlands Championships on Tuesday. And thanks to the team’s leaders, the Cyclones closed out the first session of the first day of the tournament in seventh place. 

Seniors Earl Hall (133-pounds) and Tanner Weatherman (165-pounds) as well as juniors Lelund Weatherspoon (174-pounds) and Gabe Moreno (149-pounds) moved into the quarterfinals. 

All four of the wrestlers may have an opportunity to face off against Iowa later in the tournament.

Weatherman will be wrestling Patrick Rhoads, who Weatherman defeated in the 33-6 loss against Iowa on Nov. 29. 

The other three wrestlers will be looking at redemption from their previous matchups. Hall will wrestle No. 1 Cory Clark if they both reach the championship.

Moreno will wrestle Iowa’s Brandon Sorenson in the championship match as well, if they move on. Weatherspoon will wrestle Iowa’s Alex Meyer in the semi-finals if both can win their next match. 

These four matches are crucial for Iowa State in the tournament standings because it trails tournament-leading Iowa by 17.5 points. If they go in Iowa State’s favor, the Cyclones would have a chance to leave Midland as champions.

Day two of the Midlands Championships will begin Wednesday with three more rounds left to wrestle. BTN2Go has live coverage on the four mats starting at 12 p.m.