The 10th-ranked University of Illinois wrestling team held wrestle-offs Saturday, November 9th to set their starting lineup for their opening match. In a battle of youth versus experience, nine of 10 weight classes competed for top spots in the lineup.
In key matches, three 2002 NCAA Qualifiers battled to retain their starting positions, yet were unsuccessful. At 125 pounds, senior Twan Pham (Palatine, IL, 28-12) was defeated 6-2 by three-time Ohio high school state champion, Kyle Ott (Fr., Huber Heights, OH). Ott was successful with two takedowns and two escapes over Pham. In a second crucial match, at 157 pounds, No. 15 ranked freshman Alex Tirapelle won 4-3 in a close match over senior Ryan Berger (Mahomet, IL, 39-25). Scoreless in the first period, Berger scored first in the second period with an escape. But it took Tirapelle with a takedown and two escapes to defeat Berger. And in another close match, at 174 pounds, freshman Peter Friedl (Orland Park, IL) won by decision 6-3 over sophomore Brian Glynn (Orland Park, IL 18-15). Undefeated high school state champion his senior year, Friedl defeated Glynn with two takedowns and two escapes.
Although Head Coach Mark Johnson was surprised that three NCAA Qualifiers would not be in his starting lineup, he was excited to see how much his program has developed. "We knew there would be close matches," said Johnson, "It's a surprise when three NCAA Qualifiers lose, but its good to see where the program is at. We have a lot more competition to deliver now."
In more decisive wins, 2001-2002 part-time starter Mark Jayne (So., Elyria, OH, 15-10) won by major decision 15-7 over true-freshman Cassio Pero (Fr., Chicago Hts, IL) at 133 pounds. In another major decision match, 141-pounders Cal Ferry (Fr., McChesney, IL) and Jim Comfort (Fr., Peoria, IL) competed for the top spot, but it went to Ferry, who had six takedowns. Two-time All-American Matt Lackey (Sr., Moline, IL 82-14) vied to retain his position against sophomore Anthony Castillo (So., West Springs, IL, 4-7) at 165 pounds. The No. 1 ranked Lackey had six takedowns and an advantage point to defeat Castillo 13-6.
Also competing, senior Paris Fotos (East Moline, IL, 7-10) dropped a 4-2 match at 149 pounds against freshman Anthony Pedrosa, while at 197 pounds Tyrone Byrd (So., Clinton, IL, 19-14) defeated Jason Vincens (So., Wheaton, IL, 6-6) 7-1. True-freshman Mike Behnke (Fr., Villa Park, IL) wrestled a close match at HWT against Chris Little (Fr., Mahomet, IL) but was successful with a final escape in the third period to win it 4-3. Due to an injury, the 184-pound weight class did not wrestle.
The Illini begin their 2002-2003 season at the Missouri Open Friday, November 24th in Columbus, MO. The next Illinois Wrestling home event will be Saturday, December 14th, at Huff Hall versus Southern Illinois.
125: Kyle Ott dec. Twan Pham 6-2
133: Mark Jayne major dec. Cassio Pero 15-7
141: Cal Ferry major dec. Jim Comfort 16-4
149: Anthony Pedrosa dec. Paris Fotos 4-2
157: Alex Tirapelle dec. Ryan Berger 4-3
165: Matt Lackey dec. Anthony Castillo 13-6
174: Peter Friedl dec. Brian Glynn 6-3
184: NO MATCH
197: Tyrone Byrd dec. Jason Vincens 7-1
Hwt: Mike Behnke dec. Chris Little 4-3
