Jan. 28, 2000

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The sixth-ranked University of Illinois wrestling team overcame a shaky start to overpower No. 10 Michigan 26-9 in the Illini's Big Ten home opener at Huff Hall in Champaign Friday night in front of 1,088 fans. With the win the Illini improve to 10-0 overall and 3-0 in the Big Ten Conference while the Wolverines fall to 8-2-1 and 1-1-1 in the league.

The night's action started with two Wolverine upsets. No. 4 Nate Patrick of Illinois surrendered a 7-5 decision to No. 12 Andy Hrovat at the 184-pound weight class and No. 8 Pat Quirk lost to No. 19 Joe Degain of Michigan, 2-1, in two overtimes to put UM up, 6-0, after two matches. The Illini's John Lockhart, ranked fourth at heavyweight, earned the his team's first win of the night over No. 11 Matt Brink to pull Illinois to within three at 6-3.

Illinois got a much needed spark at 125 pounds. The Illini's Ryan Escobar recorded an early takedown and near fall, then pinned A.J. Grant at 2:15 to give the home team a 9-6 advantage, a lead it would never surrender. Dave Stoltz extended the Illini lead with a 9-3 decision over Matt Michalski followed by the marquee matchup of the night, No. 7 Carl Perry of Illinois against No. 8 Damion Logan of Michigan. Perry recorded the first takedown of the match but Logan countered with an escape and a takedown of his own for a 3-2 first-period lead. The only scoring of the second period was a Logan escape, giving the Wolverine a 4-2 lead. Perry earned a reversal but couldn't ride Logan and the escape gave Logan the margin of victory, 5-4. It was the last match the Wolverines would win. No. 2 Adam Tirapelle beat Mike Kulczycki 8-3 at 149 pounds. No. 11 Griff Powell and No. 19 Bill Zeman followed with major decisions to put the match out of reach at 23-9. Ben King capped the scoring for Illinois at 174 pounds earning a takedown in overtime to win, 3-1.

The Illini will continue their current homestand with a dual against No. 15 Wisconsin Feb. 4 at 7 p.m. in Huff Hall.
No. 6 Illinois 26, vs. No. 10 Michigan 9

Huff Hall -- Champaign, IL

Attendance-1,088 * Dual Started at 184-pound weight class

125 No. 12 Ryan Escobar (ILL) pinned A.J. Grant (MICH), 2:15
133 Dave Stoltz (ILL) defeated Matt Michalski (MICH), 9-3
141 No. 8 Damion Logan (MICH) defeated No. 7 Carl Perry (ILL), 5-4
149 No. 2 Adam Tirapelle (ILL) defeated Mike Kulczycki (MICH), 8-3
157 No. 11 Griff Powell (ILL) major decision Tony Holifield (MICH), 11-3
165 No. 18 Bill Zeman (ILL) major decision Mark Churella (MICH), 20-7
174 Ben King (ILL) defeated Charles Martelli (MICH), 3-1 (ot)
184 No. 12 Andy Hrovat (MICH) defeated No. 4 Nate Patrick (ILL), 7-5
197 No. 19 Joe Degain (MICH) defeated No. 8 Pat Quirk (ILL), 2-1 (2ot)
Hwt No. 4 John Lockhart (ILL) defeated No. 11 Matt Brink (MICH), 4-2