Nov. 5, 2005
The No. 4 Fighting Illini wrestling team competed in its annual intrasquad wrestle-offs Saturday at Huff Hall. Three of the four Illinois All-Americans, seniors Alex Tirapelle, Pete Friedl, and junior Cassio Pero, all won their matches. Senior All-American Kyle Ott, however, did not participate due to injury.
Head coach
Mark Johnson was excited about the large fan turnout at the defending Big Ten Champions' season opener. Johnson said the intrasquad matches are "a necessary evil, but they show the crowd where we are at this point of the season."
Illinois wrestling will begin season competition Sunday, Nov. 20 at the Missouri Open in Columbia, Mo. The first home meet for the Fighting Illini will be Sunday, Dec. 11 at noon against Cumberland and Augustana.
Wrestle-Off Results
125: Joe Gomez (FR) dec. Ryan Klinger (SO), 6-5
133: Gabe Flores (SO) dec. Dan Manzella (JR), 5-2
141: Cassio Pero (JR) dec. Joel Karr (JR), 6-2
149: Troy Tirapelle (FR) dec. Jim Comfort (JR), 12-3
157/165: Alex Tirapelle (SR) dec. Roger Smith-Bergsrud (FR), 2-0
174: Donny Reynolds (JR) dec. Matt Winterhalter (JR), 9-2
184: Pete Friedl (SR) dec. Matt Harding (JR), 10-6
197: Tyrone Byrd (SR) dec. Lou Puracchio (JR), 12-3
Hwt: Matt Weight (JR) dec. Ben Zulauf (FR), 4-3
