Dec. 14, 2002
The eighth-ranked University of Illinois wrestling team won seven out the eight matches they wrestled on Saturday to dominate the Southern Illinois-Edwardsville Cougars in their first dual of the season, 48-3 at Huff Hall. The match also featured over 200 youth wrestlers from clubs in the Central Illinois area and over 1,099 fans were on hand for the event. Illinois improves to 1-0, while SIUE falls to 1-1.
No. 10 freshman Kyle Ott (ILL) posted the first points for the Illini with a 21-5 tech. fall over Brett Merkle (SIUE). With three near-falls for Ott in three periods, Merkle was dominated with Ott's final near-fall with just under a minute left in the third period. 149-pounder Tony Pedrosa (ILL.) also left the Cougars in the dust with a tech. fall. Pedrosa defeated Ross Ryan (SIUE) 20-4 with two near-falls. Alex Tirapelle (ILL.), a No. 10-ranked freshman, won by major dec. over Matt Oliva for the 157 pounders. Tirapelle dominated Oliva with two near-falls and racked up riding time during his match.
And with nine seconds remaining in the first period, No. 1 ranked Matt Lackey (ILL.) defeated Mike Davis (SIUE) with a pin. The undefeated 165-pound Lackey now holds sole possession of the 13th spot on the Illinois Career Wins list, with 92. 2002 NCAA Qualifier Brian Glynn (ILL.) won by major decision over SIUE's Zach Stephens in what Illinois Head Coach Mark Johnson felt was a touch match.
"Everyone looked about the same today. The guys were a little sluggish, and that is something we can work on before the holidays. It was a long weekend in Las Vegas, but Brian wrestled well and competed hard today," said Johnson.
Two Illini wrestlers, Cal Ferry (141) and Pete Friedl (184) won their matches by forfeit, but wrestled as exhibition. Ferry won by decision over Matt Tomanovich, while Friedl won by major decision over Kyle Johnson.
The Illini return to action December 28, when they begin the first day of competition at the Midlands Tournament held at Northwestern University. The Illini return to Huff Hall January 24, 2003 for their Big Ten Opener versus Michigan.
Match Began at Heavyweight
Hwt: Aaron Wiens (SIUE) wins by decision over Chris Little (ILL), 8-5
125: #10 Kyle Ott (ILL) tech fall over Brett Merkle (SIUE), 21-5 6:02
133: #16 Mark Jayne (ILL) wins by forfeit
141: #16 Cal Ferry (ILL) wins by forfeit
149: Tony Pedrosa (ILL) tech fall over Ross Ryan (SIUE), 20-4 5:55
157: #10 Alex Tirapelle (ILL) wins by major dec. Matt Oliva (SIUE), 14-4
165: #1 Matt Lackey (ILL) won by fall Mike Davis (SIUE), 0:09
174: #5 Brian Glynn (ILL) wins by major dec. Zach Stephens (SIUE), 10-2
184: Peter Friedl (ILL) wins by forfeit
197: #17 Tyrone Byrd (ILL) wins by forfeit
Illinois Wrestling Play-by-Play
Hwt: Aaron Wiens (SIUE) win by decision over Chris Little (ILL), 8-5
1st Period: TD ILL 0:51; 2 NF ILL 0:10; ILL leads 4-0
2nd Period: ESC SIUE 1:22; TD SIUE 0:35, 3 NF SIUE 0:00; SIUE leads 6-4
3rd Period: ESC ILL 1:55; TD SIUE 0:01; SIUE
125: #10 Kyle Ott (ILL) Tech Fall over Brett Merkle (SIUE), 21-5 6:02
1st Period: TD ILL 2:46; ESC SIUE 1:24; TD ILL 1:14; ESC SIUE 0:46; TD ILL 0:35; NF ILL 0:17; ILL leads 8-2
2nd Period: REV ILL 1:50; 2NF ILL 1:16; ESC SIUE 0:34; TD ILL 0:18; ILL leads 14-3
3rd Period: ESC SIUE 1:43; TD ILL 1:36; ESC SIUE 1:10; TD ILL 1:00; NF ILL 0:58, ILL Tech Fall 21-5
EXH 141: #16 Cal Ferry (ILL) wins by decision Matt Tomanovich (SIUE), 12-6
1st Period: TD ILL 2:43; ESC SIUE 2:33; TD ILL 0:23, ESC SIUE 0:18; ILL leads 4-2
2nd Period: ESC ILL 1:36; TD ILL 0:19; ESC SIUE 0:05; ILL leads 7-3
3rd Period: ESC SIUE 0:56; TD ILL 0:43; ESC SIUE 0:32; TD ILL 0:22; ESC SIUE 0:14; ILL wins by dec. 12-6
149: Tony Pedrosa (ILL) tech fall over Ross Ryan (SIUE), 20-4 5:55
1st Period: TD ILL 2:27; ESC SIUE 1:22; TD ILL 0:52; 2NF ILL 0:00; ILL leads 6-1
2nd Period: REV ILL 1:48; ESC SIUE 1:24; TD ILL 1:11; ESC SIUE 0:52; TD ILL 0:21; 3NF ILL 0:00
3rd Period: TD ILL 1:22; ESC SIUE 1:17; TD ILL 1:05; ILL wins by tech fall 20-4 5:55
157: #10 Alex Tirapelle (ILL) wins by major dec. Matt Oliva (SIUE), 14-4
1st Period: TD ILL 2:34; 3NF ILL 0:45; ILL leads 5-0
2nd Period: ESC ILL 1:51; TD ILL 1:30; 3NF ILL 0:00; ILL leads 11-0
3rd Period: TD SIUE 1:35; REV ILL 1:19; ESC SIUE 0:06; ILL wins major dec. 14-4
165: #1 Matt Lackey (ILL) won by fall Mike Davis (SIUE), 2:51
1st Period: TD ILL 2:30; ESC SIUE 1:41; TD ILL 1:04; Pin 0:09
174: #5 Brian Glynn (ILL) won by major dec. Zach Stephens (SIUE), 10-2
1st Period: TD ILL 1:13; ILL leads 2-0
2nd Period: ESC SIUE 1:52; TD ILL 0:18; ILL leads 4-1
3rd Period: ESC ILL 1:55; TD ILL 1:00; ESC SIUE 0:23, TD ILL 0:09
EXH 184: Peter Friedl (ILL) vs. Kyle Johnson (SIUE)
1st Period: TD ILL 1:32; ESC SIUE 1:12; TD ILL 0:46; ILL leads 4-1
2nd Period: ESC ILL 1:51; TD ILL 1:18; ESC SIUE 1:10; TD ILL 0:55; ESC SIUE 0:50; TD ILL 0:34; ILL leads 11-3
3rd Period: ESC SIUE 1:59; TD ILL 1:44; ESC SIUE 1:41; TD ILL 1:27; ESC SIUE 1:12; TD ILL 0:35; 3NF ILL 0:00; ILL won major dec. 19-6
