Nov. 21, 2001

Champaign, IL - The Illinois Fighting Illini wrestling team maintained its No. 15 ranking in the latest InterMat NCAA wrestling rankings. A strong individual showing at last weekend's Missouri Open helped six Illini wrestlers retain their top 20 status.

The Illini's two title-holders from the Missouri Open, John Lockhart and Matt Lackey, remain Illinois' highest ranked grapplers. Lockhart remained at No. 1 in the heavyweight class and 165-pound Lackey stayed put at No. 3. Lockhart already owns an edge over No. 2 Leonce Crump of Oklahoma after defeating him in the Missouri Open title match. Ryan Berger and Griff Powell improved their rankings at 149 and 157 pounds, jumping to Nos. 12 and 6, respectively. At 125 and 133 pounds, Twan Pham and Chad Hay remained in the top 20 following difficult draws at the Missouri Open. Pham is now ranked 19th and Hay is 20th.

Overall, the Big Ten features three teams ranked in the top five, including No. 1 Minnesota, and eight teams in the top 25, the highest of any conference.

Illinois' next event will be at the University of Northern Iowa Open from November 30-December 1.