Feb. 9, 2001

West Lafayette, Ind. -

The seventh-ranked University of Illinois wrestling team (10-2, 4-2 Big Ten) defeated No. 21 Purdue (8-6, 2-5 Big Ten) Friday night in West Lafayette, Ind. The Illini have now won three consecutive duals over the Boilermakers and lead the all-time series 41-26-2 dating back to the first meeting in 1916.

The dual started at heavyweight with Illinois? No. 6 John Lockhart earning a 2-1 win over Purdue?s No. 18 Jake Vercelli. Lockhart moved his record to 3-0 against Vercelli with wins in last year?s dual and at the Big Ten championships.

Purdue then won back-to-back bouts with Jason Silverstein edging Ryan Escobar on riding time for a 3-2 advantage and Evan Robinson beat Kelly Madden 6-2. The Illini would take the lead after the next match and never trail again as Mike Castillo of Illinois beat Paul Sacquitne 15-5 to put the Illini out front 7-6.

Illinois would then win five of the last six matches including pins by Matt Lackey at 165 pounds and Nate Patrick at 184 for the decisive win. Adam Tirapelle earned a major decision at 149, followed by Griff Powell?s 3-1 win at 157. The only setback was John Sears at 174 pounds who dropped a 17-5 decision to Ryan Lange. Illinois? Pat Quirk won by forfeit in the last match of the evening to give the Illini the 32-10 final.

The next action for the Illini will be Sunday, Feb. 11, at Wisconsin at 1 p.m.

No. 7 Illinois 32, No. 21 Purdue 10

Dual started at Heavyweight
Wt. Decision
125 Jason Silverstein (PUR) defeated Ryan Escobar (ILL), 3-2
133 Evan Robinson (PUR) defeated Kelly Madden (ILL), 6-2
141 Mike Castillo (ILL) defeated Paul Sacquitne (PUR), 15-5
149 Adam Tirapelle (ILL) defeated Brad Harper (PUR), 11-3
157 Griff Powell (ILL) defeated Clovis Crane (PUR), 3-1
165 Matt Lackey (ILL) pinned Oscar Santiago (PUR), 5:59
174 Ryan Lange (PUR) defeated John Sears (ILL), 17-5
184 Nate Patrick (ILL) pinned Jared Williams (PUR), 4:34
197 Pat Quirk (ILL) won by forfeit
Hwt John Lockhart (ILL) defeated Jake Vercelli (PUR), 2-1