Over 180 wrestlers are gearing up for the Intramural Wrestling Tournament Finals to be held at Rec Hall tonight at 8.

Teams of wrestlers representing fraternities and residence hall floors will be competing in a variety of weight classes, ranging from 128 pounds to a heavyweight division.

"It's really competitive," said Mark Belden, assistant director of recreational sports. "Every year we have a screaming crowd, people cheering on their buddies, even some parents come out to see their sons compete."

Fraternity wrestlers are looking to add points to their team's overall total in hopes of capturing the Bishoff Trophy, which honors the top fraternity competing in intramural sports. Similarly, residence hall teams are competing for the Dutch Sykes Award.

The top four wrestlers in each weight class earn individual points for their team, and the championship team receives 75 points to add to their IM total, according to Graig Jolley, IM Chair of the International Student Council.

Acacia, last year's fraternity champions, are once again in the running following impressive showings in the semi-final rounds. The fraternity currently stands in first place in the overall IM standings.

Warren Gerhardt, a member of Acacia fraternity and four-time champion in the 142-pound weight class, is looking to add to his fraternity's lead.

"They'll be gunning for me," Gerhardt said. "They know what I can do on the mat, but I'm going for my fifth title. And winning the Bishoff Trophy will be sweet."

Gerhardt will be wrestling an old friend and former high school classmate in the finals. Belden says that this type of rivalry typifies the competitive matches the tournament has seen in the past.

"This year, two matches will be going on simultaneously on separate mats, in the hopes of adding to the excitement," Belden said.

The tournament will be held in the main gym in Rec Hall and is open to the public.

"This is always a fun one for me," said Belden. "The crowd often rivals some Big Ten wrestling matches I've been to. It's going to be a lot of fun."