Feb. 7, 2000
Box Score
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Illinois wrestler Adam Tirapelle picked up a 7-3 win over Dave Esposito of
Lehigh Monday night at the 2000 National Wrestling Coaches Association
(NWCA) All-Star Classic being held at the Jenison Wrestling Arena at
Michigan State University in East Lansing, Mich. Tirapelle, ranked second
in the nation at 149 pounds, improves to 29-1 with 12 falls. Esposito,
ranked third, falls to 23-2.
Tirapelle was originally slated to take on top-ranked Tony Davis of
Northern Iowa but Davis scratched due to personal reasons. The athletes
invited to compete were determined by a five-person selection committee,
which met via conference call on Monday, January 3. The two highest rated
athletes from each weight class as determined by the committee received
invitations. Athletes that did not accept their invitation to compete were
replaced by nationally-ranked alternates.
The NWCA All-Star Classic is one of the most prestigious events in amateur
wrestling, and has featured many of the greatest athletes in the sport's
history.
Next up for the Illini (12-0, 5-0 Big Ten) will be the top-ranked Iowa
Hawkeyes (15-0, 5-0). Illinois will travel to Iowa City on Feb. 11 for a 7
p.m. dual. Last season, Illinois snapped a 32-dual Hawkeye win streak with
a 20-16 win. The dual may also provide an opportunity for Tirapelle to
avenge his only setback of the season, an 11-9 loss to Iowa's Mike Zadick
at the Midlands in Evanston.
