Midlands

The Midlands College Wrestling Tournament has been attracting the top US College since its inception in 1963.  The event takes place every year just after Christmas drawing wrestlers from Oklahoma State, Iowa State, Michigan State, University of Michigan and many other notable US college wrestling programs.  I was lucky enough to interview one of the founders of this prestigious wrestling event, Ken Kraft. 

Below are the contents of an email Ken Kraft sent me with some of my father’s stats. 

Shawn
Hope you received the information regarding your Dad's individual
Midlands records.
I have found individual match records by each year and hope this
helps in your quest.
 INDIVIDUAL MIDLANDS MATCH RECORDS FOR HARRY GERIS - 1966, 1967, 1968,
1970, 1971 
1966 Lost by fall to S. Israel, Eastern Michigan
 
1967 Won by fall (2:50) over Brouchausen, Marquette
Lost by dec.(9-3) to Mudron, Notre Dame
 
1968 Lost by dec.(7-5) to Tuinstra, Drake
 
1970 Won by fall (:43) over Cerese, North Park
Won by Ref. Dec. over McCready, Northern Iowa
Lost by dec. (8-3) to Stearns, Iowa
 
1971 Won by fall (2:17) over Parretore, Augustana
Won by dec.(7-0) over Molinowski, Central Michigan
Lost by dec.(3-1) to McCready, Northern Iowa
Won by fall (3:16) over Avery, MIchigan State
Won by fall (:55) over Ernst, Michigan
Lost by dec.(6-3) to Lewis, Michigan State
 It was interesting going back and checking your Dad's records. In
current day format he would have been a place winner in ''71.
All the very best in your efforts on the project. If I could be of
assistance in the future let me know.
Sincerely,
Ken Kraft

My father’s collegiate wrestling career got off to a rocky start at his first appearance at this historic tournament; however the same event played a pivotal role in dad’s scholastic wrestling.  My father’s first appearance at the Midlands Wrestling Tournament set his collegiate wrestling career in motion, more details on that in the book!!!