Nov. 1, 2005

University of Illinois wrestling All-Americans Alex Tirapelle (157 lbs) and Pete Friedl (184 lbs), both ranked second in the nation, are set to wrestle in the 40th annual NWCA All-Star Classic presented by the United States Marine Corp. No. 2 Tirapelle takes on No. 1 Joe Johnston and No. 2 Pete Friedl squares off against No. 3 Paul Bradley. Both Johnston and Bradley are from Big Ten rival, Iowa. This year's All-Star Classic takes place at the Gallagher-Iba Arena on the campus of Oklahoma State University in Stillwater, Okla., on November 21 at 7 p.m. The event features top-ranked wrestlers in each weight class, and can be seen as a preview for possible NCAA championship bouts.

Tirapelle, a senior from Clovis, Calif., was the No. 1 seed for the NCAA Tournament for the second straight year after defeating Ryan Bertin in the finals at the Big Ten Tournament. The win also made the two-time All-American a two-time Big Ten Champion. He is only two wins away from the coveted 100 career-win mark.

Friedl, a senior from Orland Park, Ill., is looking to pick up where he left off in 2005. He placed fourth at the NCAA Championships, becoming a two-time All-American. He defeated No. 4 Jake Herbert of Northwestern in the finals to win his first Big Ten Championship and clinch the team title for the Illini. Additionally, he went undefeated in Big Ten dual competition to earn the No. 1 seed at the Big Ten Championships.

Both Tirapelle and Friedl will be feeding the Big Ten rivalry as they face Iowa. Tirapelle and Johnston met at last year's NCAA quarterfinals where Johnston edged the 157-pound top seed 6-5. The two wrestlers have met four times in their careers, each winning two. Friedl, who finished last year at fourth place at 174, has moved up in weight classes to 184. This will be the first of many meetings between the Friedl and Bradley.

For more information on the event or to purchase tickets, contact the OSU Ticket Office at 877-All-4-OSU or 405-744-5745 .

All-Star Lineup
125: #3 Sam Hazewinkel (Oklahoma) vs. #4 Nick Simmons (Michigan State)
133: #1 Tom Clum (Wisconsin) vs. #3 Mack Reiter (Minnesota)
141: #1 Teyon Ware (Oklahoma) vs. #2 Nate Gallick (Iowa State)
149: #1 Zack Esposito (Oklahoma State) vs. #2 Jon Masa (Hofstra)
157: #1 Joe Johnston (Iowa) vs. #2 Alex Tirapelle (Illinois)
165: #5 Johny Hendricks (Oklahoma State) vs. #3 Ryan Churella (Michigan)
174: #3 Mark Perry (Iowa) vs. #2 Jake Herbert (Northwestern)
184: #2 Paul Bradley (Iowa) vs. #3 Pete Friedl (Illinois)
197: #1 Jake Rosholt (Oklahoma State) vs. #2 Joel Flaggert (Oklahoma)
285: #1 Steve Mocco (Oklahoma State) vs. #2 Cole Konrad (Minnesota)