Thursday, two Panther wrestlers will make their debut appearances at the NCAA wresting national championships.

Senior heavyweight Pete Ziminski and sophomore 174-pounder Kenny Robertson each took second at the NCAA west regional last weekend.

At the 2004 west regional tournament, Ziminski (16-7) and Robertson (34-10) each took third at the tournament and came just points away from qualifying for the championships.

Despite this being the pair’s first trip to nationals, Eastern head coach Ralph McCausland is confident his wrestlers are prepared.

“Kenny has wrestled virtually every nationally-ranked guy,” McCausland said. “It gives him a good feel of the competition and has to set his mark.”

In the regional 174-pound championship, Robertson, who has wrestled over 15 ranked opponents this season, lost 7-4 to No. 8 Eric Hauan of Northern Iowa. It was Robertson’s third loss to Hauan.

“The same thing with Pete (as Robertson): he has wrestled identical competition,” McCausland said. “Maybe not so much this year, but over the last two seasons.”

When the NCAA championship kicks off Thursday in St. Louis, McCausland said that his wrestlers have good shots at bringing home a medal.

“Pete and Kenny each have a real chance of standing on the winner’s podium,” McCausland said.

Robertson will enter the championships ranked 16 in the nation, the highest in his career, after raising four spots from No. 20.