STEVENS POINT, Wis. – The Linfield men's wrestling team, in only its second NCAA season, will attempt Friday and Saturday to qualify its first wrestlers for the national tournament. The top three finishers in each weight class at this week's 19-team Upper Midwest Regional will advance to the NCAA Division III Championships in La Crosse, Wis.
 
It won't be easy, however. The regional championships include five teams ranked in the top 25 nationally, and a number of ranked individuals in each weight class. 

Defending national champion and No. 1-ranked Augsburg is heavy favorite to win the regional title for a 21st consecutive season. No. 3 Wisconsin-La Crosse, No. 6 Wisconsin-Eau Claire and No. 11 Wisconsin-Whitewater are also expected to be in the hunt. 

"The competition will be fierce, but that's what you want and expect this time of the year," said Linfield coach Frank Johnson. "We're young, but we're ready to stand toe-to-toe with the top teams in the country and see how we measure up. Our wrestlers have been looking forward to this opportunity." 

Linfield heavyweight Jacob Barnes enters regionals with a 24-2 record. He placed fifth at the Upper Midwest Regional a year ago, one of two Wildcats to come home with NCAA regional hardware in the team's rookie season. 

Senior Jakob Jarvis heads to Wisconsin with a 15-12 record at 157 pounds and is also hoping to cap off his career on the medal stand. Freshman Ethan Ensrud sports an identical 15-12 record at 174-pound weight class and is looking forward to his first taste of regional competition. 

At 184, Linfield's Darrius Walker returns to Wisconsin after going 2-2 at regionals as a freshman last season. He registered a 16-1 tech fall win and a pin a year ago to come within a single match of placing. 

"Our guys are all excited to compete and just let it fly," said Linfield assistant coach Alyssa Lampe. "They've worked hard and are prepared to handle their business." 

Teams competing in the Upper Midwest Regional: Linfield; Pacific; Augsburg University (Minn.); Aurora University (Ill.); Carthage College (Wis.); University of Chicago; Concordia College (Minn.); Concordia University (Wis.); Elmhurst University (Ill.); Lakeland University (Wis.); Milwaukee School of Engineering (Wis.); Saint John's University (Minn.); Wisconsin-Eau Claire; Wisconsin-La Crosse; Wisconsin-Oshkosh; Wisconsin-Platteville; Wisconsin-Stevens Point; Wisconsin-Whitewater; Wheaton College (Ill.).
 

Friday, March 1 (All times CST)
11:00 a.m.	Doors open to spectators
12:00 p.m.	Preliminary and First Rounds
2:00 p.m.	Championship Quarterfinals  & Consolation 1st and 2nd Rounds
Saturday, March 2 (All times CST)
10:00 a.m.	Doors open to spectators
11:00 a.m.	Championships Semifinals &  Consolation 3rd Round
1:00 p.m.	Consolation Semifinals
2:30 p.m.	Championship/3rd/5th/7th Place Matches