INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. - The Midwest Classic highlights the first half of the wrestling season. The 41st installment of the event is the deepest and most competitive tournament of the season. The Kentucky Wesleyan College wrestling team made their second trip to the pinnacle event before the New Year on Saturday. Both LaMont Wilson and Caleb Craig  highlighted the Panthers efforts on the day. 

Of the 62 NCAA Division II wrestling teams in the nation, nearly 40 of them are inside Nicoson Hall in Indianapolis this weekend. LaMont Wilson welcomed the big stage as he opened the proceedings with Midwest Classic upset. Wilson faced Vincent Distefanis from Seton Hill who holds a lofty national ranking inside the top-15 at 133 pounds. Like most opponents, Distefanis was not ready for Wilson's speed as he fell 7-4 in the opening round. 

Wilson did not sustain the momentum as he fell to Cody Fatzinger from Western Colorado in the next round, moving to the consolation bracket. Facing Trey Taylor from Ouachita Baptist, Wilson earned a pin in the second period, but his tournament ended thereafter as Alex Waggoner from Maryville defeated Wilson by major decision in the consolation second round. 

Caleb Craig opened his second Midwest Classic with a 4-2 victory in the opening round over Tristen Barr of Maryville. Craig fell in the next round to move to the consolations and his tournament ended with a loss to Dy'Juan Carney from Four Hays State in the consolation second round. 

Wesleyan will continue its season on January 9th with a dual against Lander University. Competition at Jones Gymnasium will start at 5 PM.