Dec. 29, 1999

The University of Illinois' wrestling team is in fourth place after the first day of competition at the Midlands Wrestling Championships being held on the campus of Northwestern University in Evanston, Ill. The Fighting Illini had six wrestlers advance to quarterfinal action which will be held December 30 at noon. The six Illini advancing, each with a 2-0 record on Wednesday, are Adam Tirapelle at 149 pounds, Griff Powell at 157, Matt Lackey at 165, Nate Patrick at 184, Pat Quirk at 197 and John Lockhart at heavyweight.

The defending national champion Iowa Hawkeyes are pacing the field with 39 points, followed by Edinboro with 27, Central Michigan with 26, Illinois with 25.50, Penn with 25, Iowa State with 24, Michigan with 23,50, Bakersfield with 20.50, the Sunkist Kids wrestling club with 20 and with Michigan State rounding out the top ten with 19 points.

Illinois has several wrestlers still alive in consolation action. Chad Hay and Ryan Escobar each posted a 1-1 record at 125 pounds and will resume action tomorrow at noon. David Stoltz and Kelly Madden are 1-1 at 133 pounds while Carl Perry went 2-1 and Mike Castillo 1-1 at 141. Ryan Berger is the lone Illini to be eliminated on the first day of action. He lost two matches at 149 pounds. Bill Zeman (165 pounds) and Ben King (174) each recorded 2-1 records.