Jan. 18, 2003

The No. 4-ranked Illinois wrestling team won the final six matches in the dual Saturday and defeated Chattanooga 31-6 at UTC's Maclellan Gym.

The Illini won eight of ten weight classes over the Moc's with impressive performances by freshman Cal Ferry and sophomore Tyrone Byrd.

UTC, 3-11, got victories from Matt Pitts at 125 pounds and Jacob Harris at 149. Pitts, ranked 15th nationally this week, scored a takedown in the final 10 seconds of his match to edge Twan Pham 8-7 and give the Mocs an early 3-0 lead. Harris outpointed 14th-ranked Tony Pedrosa 10-6.

Illinois' Mark Jayne tied the match at 3-3 with his 4-1 decision over Ben Smith at 133, and Cal Ferry gave the Fighting Illini the lead for good in the next match with an 11-1 major decision over Jared Sullivan at 141.

Following Harris' win over Pedrosa, the Illini closed out the match with six victories in the last six matches. UTC's Quentin Bell was disqualified in his 157-pound match with Alex Tirapelle, and No. 1-ranked Matt Lackey defeated Craig Johnson 7-3.

Illinois, 6-1, also got victories from Brain Glynn at 174, Pete Friedl at 184, Tyrone Byrd at 197 and Chris Little at heavyweight.

The Illini return to action at home Friday, January 24th, 2003 at Huff Hull in an attempt to overtake the Michigan Wolverines.

No. 4 Illinois 31, Chattanooga 6
125 - Matt Pitts (UTC) dec. Twan Pham (UI), 8-7
133 - Mark Jayne (UI) dec. Ben Smith (UTC), 4-1
141 - Cal Ferry (UI) maj. dec. Jared Sullivan (UTC), 11-1
149 - Jacob Harris (UTC) dec. Tony Pedrosa (UI), 10-6
157 - Alex Tirapelle (UI) won by disqualification over Quentin Bell (UTC)
165 - Matt Lackey (UI) dec. Craig Johnson (UTC), 7-3
174 - Brian Glynn (UI) dec. Brandon Artiles (UTC), 8-4
184 - Pete Friedl (UI) dec. Quantel Langford (UTC), 5-4
197 - Tyrone Byrd (UI) tech. fall Drew Roberts (UTC), 17-1
HWT - Chris Little (UI) maj. dec. Matt Seaberg (UTC), 14-1