Nov. 6, 2002

In his 11th season as Head Wrestling Coach, Mark Johnson is looking to make this season as successful as his previous teams. With six Top-10 teams in 10 years and six national champions under his belt, the start of the 2002-2003 wresting season is highly anticipated. Johnson's starting lineup will be determined this Saturday, November 9. The wrestle-offs will begin at 11:30 am at Huff Hall.

Nine of 10 weight classes will be competing for top spots at Saturday's match. NCAA Qualifiers in 2002, Twan Pham (Sr., Palatine, IL, 28-12), Ryan Berger (Sr., Mahomet, IL, 39-25), and Brian Glynn (So., Orland Park, IL, 18-15) are key wrestlers to watch as they battle to retain their starting positions. At 125 pounds, Pham will be competing against former three-time high school state champion, freshman Kyle Ott (Huber Heights, OH). In an attempt to move up a weight class, Ryan Berger will be wrestling for the starting position at 157 pounds against highly touted, 15th ranked freshman, Alex Tirapelle (Clovis, CA). And in another match to watch, at 174 pounds, Brian Glynn will compete against freshman Peter Friedl (Orland Park, IL), who was an undefeated state champion. Due to an injury to NCAA Qualifier Jason Potter, the 184-pound weight class will not wrestle.

Others to watch on the squad include two true freshmen. Cassio Pero (Fr., Chicago Hts, IL) and Mike Behnke (Fr., Villa Park, IL) will be gunning for starting positions in each of their respective weight classes. Also competing is No. 1 ranked senior Matt Lackey (Moline, IL) at 165 pounds. Lackey is a two-time All-American who finished second at last year's NCAA Championships.

Saturday's Lineup:
125: Twan Pham (Sr., Palatine, IL, 28-12) vs. Kyle Ott (Fr., Huber Heights, OH)
133: Mark Jayne (So., Elyria, OH, 15-10) vs. Cassio Pero (Fr., Chicago Hts, IL)
141: Cal Ferry (Fr., McChesney, IL) vs. Brian Cravens (Sr., Mt. Zion, IL, 7-6)
149: Paris Fotos (Sr., East Moline, IL, 7-10) vs. Anthony Pedrosa (Fr., Oregon, IL)
157: Ryan Berger (Sr., Mahomet, IL, 39-25) vs. Alex Tirapelle (Fr., Clovis, CA)
165: Matt Lackey (Sr., Moline, IL, 82-14) vs. Anthony Castillo (So., West Springs, IL 4-7)
174: Brian Glynn (So., Orland Park, IL, 18-15) vs. Peter Friedl (Fr., Orland Park, IL)
184: NO MATCH
197: Tyrone Byrd (So., Clinton, IL 19-14) vs. Jason Vincens (So., Wheaton, IL 6-6)
HWT: Chris Little (FR., Mahomet, IL) vs. Mike Behnke (Fr., Villa Park, IL)