Dec. 3, 2006

Cedar Falls, Iowa - Three University of Illinois wrestlers won titles at the Northern Iowa Open on Sunday, Dec. 3 in Cedar Falls, Iowa. Junior Gabe Flores, senior Cassio Pero and freshman John Dergo won titles at 125, 141 and 184 respectively. In addition to the three champions, eight other Illini placed in the Top-6 to bring the tournament total to 11 placewinners.

Flores (Madera, Calif.), the only top-seeded Illini in the tournament, won a 12-0 major decision over third-seeded Cody Garcia (UNO) to stay perfect on the season. The third-seeded Cassio Pero (Chicago Heights, Ill.) needed three overtimes to upset top-seeded Dan Leclare (Iowa) in the finals to claim his first UNI Open championship. Dergo (Morris, Ill.) also stayed unbeaten for the season as he won all four of his matches en-route to the title.

Freshman Jimmy Kennedy (Ingleside, Ill.) and Roger Smith-Bergsrud (Lake Bluff, Ill.) both placed third at 133 and 165, respectively. The third-seeded Kennedy upset top-seeded Joe Slanton (Iowa) in the third place match while Smith-Bergsrud needed three overtimes to best James Williamson of Missouri.

The Illini will be back in action on Saturday, Dec. 9 against Central Missouri State and Findlay University as they open the home season at Huff Hall. Match time is set for noon.

UNI OPEN RESULTS

1st: Gabe Flores (125), Cassio Pero (141), John Dergo (184)
3rd: Jimmy Kennedy (133), Roger Smith-Bergsrud (165)
4th: Clint Arlis (157), Nick Guida (174)
5th: Jim Comfort (133), Troy Tirapelle (149)
6th: Joel Karr (141), Pat Brownson (184)

View Northern Iowa Open brackets HERE .