Eastern’s wrestling team lost two dual meets over break and participated in one of the nation’s largest tournaments, the Midlands tournament at Northwestern University. Nationally ranked at No. 19, sophomore Kenny Robertson (21-7) was the only wrestler to place for the Panthers at the Midlands, as he took eighth at 174 pounds.

In Robertson’s second match of the day he beat No. 14 Andrew Roy of Rutgers 4-3. In Robertson’s next match he faced another ranked opponent, No. 11 Mitch Hancock of Central Michigan. Robertson wasn’t able to repeat the upset he pulled in the previous round and lost 7-6.

Robertson lost his final two matches of the day- first to No. 12 Daniel Waters of American University and the last to Roy, whom he had beaten earlier in the day.

“This is considered the toughest tournament in the nation outside of nationals,” Eastern freshman Shane Dintelman said.

Dintelman went 1-2 at the tournament and was one of only four Panthers to win a match.

“It’s frustrating because I’ve lost some matches but haven’t been beaten,” he said. “There’s a difference.

“I’ve been close in every match this year.”

Senior heavyweight Pete Ziminski had the best record for Eastern, going 3-2 on the day, but was unable to place.

Ziminski’s first win of the day came over No. 10 Scott Coleman of Iowa State.

Ziminski rattled off three wins, two of which were won by two points or less, before losing to No. 8 Matt Fields of Iowa.

Jason Sherko was the only other Panther to come out of the tournament with a win. He went 2-2 on the day, including a third round pin and a 3-0 loss to No. 14 Trevor Smith of Iowa State.

Saturday, Eastern wrestled in a triangular meet with Virginia Tech and host Northern Iowa.

The Panthers squared off against the No. 17 Northern Iowa Panthers. They have four wrestlers ranked nationally and had some troubles with the fellow Panthers. Ziminski won at heavyweight, 10-2, and Greg Perz won 8-2 at 184 pounds.

Robertson wrestled No. 7 Eric Huaun, who he lost to earlier in the season, and lost a 5-4 decision. Eastern lost the meet 38-7.

Eastern came closer to a victory but still came up short when they lost 32-18 to Virginia Tech.

The Panthers benefited from three forfeits in the dual but gave up one of their own at 125 pounds. Of the six matches that were wrestled in the dual, all ended with Hokie victories.

“It’s hard to see it on the scores, but we have some close matches and we’re getting a lot better,” Dintelman said.