INDIANAPOLIS – The Midwest Classic is nearly here, with the annual mega-tournament gathering 51 of the 67 total Division II teams on the campus of the University of Indianapolis this weekend. Just as in years before, the best of the best are coming to the Circle City, with 21 of the top 27 ranked squads set to battle it out. Seven out of the top 10 teams are in the field, with current-No. 1 Lander and reigning national champion Central Oklahoma both making the trip.

The two-day event will be held in the Ruth Lilly Center and Nicoson Hall Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 16-17. Action is start at 10 a.m. ET both days.
 

HEADS UP! ???????

The 44th Midwest Classic is right around the corner! ??

??: December 16-17
?: 10AM#D2Wrestle #HoundsWrestling pic.twitter.com/Ncu5hFPuST

— UIndy Wrestling (@UIndyWrestling) November 28, 2023

In total, 70 ranked wrestlers are within this year's bracket, with the No. 1-ranked guy at 133, 141, 149 and 165 all making appearances. The two of the toughest weight classes will be 125 and 133, with nine of the top 12 making the trip. 157 and 285 are scheduled to have eight ranked wrestlers each.
 
For the Hounds, Derek Blubaugh will lead the way as the No. 1-seed at 197. Owen Zablocki is second on the team in seeding, arriving at No. 5 at 165. Blake Mulkey, a newcomer to the squad, is right behind him at 141 with a six seed. Aidan Petersen, shortly after making his debut in the NWCA rankings, will be put to the test as the No. 8 seed in the 184 bracket. Rounding out the seeds for the Hounds is Trey Sizemore, No. 9 seeded at 174, and Jackson Hoover, 13 seed at 149.
 
The Greyhounds own GLVC conference will be well represented, with six of the seven programs making the trip, the only not being Quincy.
 
Last season's Midwest Classic was a down year for the Greyhounds, dropping from their second-place finish in 2021 to 11th. The Hounds were led with places by Breyden Bailey, fifth at 133, and Jack Eiteljorge, sixth at 165. Blubaugh, who was at ranked No. 2 at 197, suffered from an illness and was forced to withdraw before the second day of competition.
 
The draws, live results and streaming information for this year's Classic all will be run through TrackWrestling.
 
Hear from Head Coach Jason Warthan about this year's Classic here.