55th Ken Kraft Midlands

New this year BTS Chicago was able to have 22 people help as table workers for the first day of the Midlands, evenly split between kids and parents/mentors, which allowed BTS Chicago kids to be towel tappers. This allowed them a front seat view of some of the best collegiate wrestling around. I know the kids really enjoyed the proximity. In fact one of the kids made friends with Evan Wick from Wisconsin (currently ranked 5th). This led to a discussion of the upcoming dual between NW and Wisconsin. More on that later.

In addition on the second day of the Midlands a group of wrestlers were able to attend a clinic on the floor of the Sears Centre, this years venue for the Ken Kraft Midlands Tournament. Joey Dance ran the clinic attended by around 40 wrestlers from various affiliated clubs. They as well as their coaches, mentors and parents were treated to a Champions Breakfast of fresh fruit, muffins and more. Everyone enjoyed the food and fellowship, which was followed up with character talks by multiple AA Illini Jordan Blanton and former Chicago FCA Director Jim Johanik. This was fitting as two Illini coaches, Jim Heffernan and Mark Johnson, were inducted into Midlands Hall of Fame at this year’s tournament.