Golden anniversary of tournament features more than 30 Division I programs

EVANSTON, Ill. – The 50th Ken Kraft Midlands Championships will take place Saturday, Dec. 29-Sunday, Dec. 30, inside Northwestern’s Welsh-Ryan Arena and more than 30 Division I teams, along with an assortment of national champions and finalists from Division II and III programs, are participating in this historic event.

The annual tournament regularly features some of the top programs in the country. Of the 32 Division I teams at this year’s Midlands, 14 of them placed in the top-25 at the 2012 NCAA Championships.

Northwestern also welcomes several newcomers to Midlands this year. Michigan, who won the first edition of the tournament in 1963, returns to Midlands for the first time since 2002. Oregon State, North Carolina and Binghamton were also added to the 50th anniversary field while Big Ten foe Nebraska returns after a year absence.

Seven conference squads will be represented at Midlands as Northwestern, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Nebraska, Purdue and Wisconsin are included in this year’s field.

Northwestern placed second at the 2011 Midlands Championships, its best finish in school history. NU Midlands Champions Jason Welch (two-time All-American, 157 lbs.) and Lee Munster (174 lbs.) return to this year’s field, along with 2012 All-American heavyweight Mike McMullan.

A complete list of Division I teams participating in the 50th Ken Kraft Midlands Championships can be found below:

Division I Teams:
Binghamton
Buffalo
Central Michigan
Clarion
Columbia
Eastern Michigan
Edinboro
Harvard
Hofstra
Illinois
Indiana
Iowa State
Kent State
Lehigh
Maryland
Michigan
Nebraska
North Dakota State
Northern Illinois
Northern Iowa
Northwestern
North Carolina
Oklahoma
Oregon State
Penn
Pittsburgh
Purdue
Princeton
Rider
Stanford
Virginia Tech
Wisconsin

• Bold indicates the team placed in the top 25 at the 2012 NCAA Championships

With this year marking the 50th anniversary of the tournament, we want to know, what have been your favorite Midlands memories over the past 49 years? Tell us your memories and you could win a FREE commemorative Midlands t-shirt! For more information on how to submit your Midlands memories, click here. 

Be sure to secure your seats now for the 50th Ken Kraft Midlands Championships by calling 1-888-GO-PURPLE or by filling out an order form.