Jan. 4, 2006

University of Illinois All-American Pete Friedl, the nation's third-ranked wrestler at 184 pounds, earned Big Ten Wrestler of the Week honors, following a perfect 5-0 record at the 43rd Annual Midlands Tournament. The senior's dramatic win in the finals clinched the title for the fourth-ranked Illini.

Friedl came into the tournament fourth in the country and the No. 3 seed in the tournament. His perfect tournament included upset wins over fifth-ranked No. 2 seed Kurt Backes (Iowa State) and fourth-ranked, No. 1 seed Ben Wissel (Purdue). Friedl's 3-1 victory over then third-ranked Wissel with one second left in sudden-death overtime gave the Illini their third consecutive Midlands title - a feat only accomplished by two other teams in the tournament's history. With the five wins, the Orland Park, Ill., native improved to 11-1 this season and 104-24 for his career.

Fans will have a chance to see Friedl and the rest of the Illini on Comcast Sports Net. The cable network will air the Midlands finals on four tape-delayed broadcasts - Jan. 11th (7 p.m.), 21st (3 p.m.), 24th (1 p.m.) and 28th (8 p.m.).

Friedl and the fourth-ranked wrestling team travel to Fresno, Calif. on January 13 to take on San Francisco State and Fresno State. Match time is set for 2 p.m. Central.