Oct. 1, 2002

University of Illinois head wrestling coach Mark Johnson begins his 11th year among the nation's top programs with a preseason 10th-place ranking by The Wrestling Mall. After finishing 10th at the 2002 NCAA Championships, the Illini are picked to finish in the same spot in 2003. With six returning NCAA qualifiers, Illinois looks to improve on last season's finish, which was the sixth Top-10 placing under Johnson in the last 10 years.

In addition to team honors, seven Illinois individuals will be ranked to begin the season, including top-ranked Matt Lackey at 165 pounds who was the NCAA runner up in 2002. He recorded a 38-2 mark last year with his only two losses during the season coming to the national champion, Joe Heskett of Iowa State. He was a perfect 8-0 in conference duals and won the Big Ten title over OSU's Johnny Clark. The only other wrestler rated in the Top-10 at their respective class is 184 pounder Jason Potter who is No. 8. Potter upset third-ranked Damion Hahn from Minnesota and was an overtime win away from All-America status in 2002, while going 24-12.

Also gaining recognition in the Top-20 are No. 12 Twan Pham at 125 pounds, No. 13 Brian Glynn at 174 pounds, No. 14 Ryan Berger at 149, No. 14 Alex Tirapelle at 157 pounds and No. 18 Tyrone Byrd at 197.

The Wrestling Mall's 2002 Pre-Season Rankings
1. Minnesota
2. Oklahoma St.
3. Oklahoma
4. Iowa
5. Iowa St.
6. Ohio St.
7. Lehigh
8. Nebraska
9. Michigan
10. Illinois
11. Arizona St.
12. Pennsylvania
13. West Virginia
14. Edinboro
15. Purdue
16. Northern Iowa
17. Cornell
18. Missouri
19. Boise St.
20. Lock Haven
21. Air Force
22. Harvard
23. Oregon
24. Wisconsin
25. Northern Illinois