Findlay/CMSU Notes

Dec. 7, 2006

Champaign, Ill. - The Illinois wrestling team opens its home season this Saturday, Dec. 9, at Huff Hall when they face Central Missouri State and Findlay University at noon. After competing in tournaments at Missouri and Northern Iowa, the Illini head into the weekend with three undefeated grapplers.

Senior Gabe Flores (Madera, Calif.) and sophomore Mike Poeta (Highwood, Ill.) have each been unbeatable so far this season. Newcomer John Dergo, who intends to redshirt this season, has also remained undefeated after claiming titles at the Dubuque Spartan Classic, in the freshman division at the Missouri Open and in the Northern Iowa Open compiling an 11-0 record during that span. Flores has an overall record of 9-0, claiming titles at both the Missouri Open and Northern Iowa Open in the 125-pound division. Poeta competed at the Missouri Open at 157, going 4-0 en-route to the championship.

The Central Missouri State Mules have met with the Orange and Blue three times over the past 19 years. The Illini have been victorious in all three matches, and won the last meeting in 2004 by a 51-0 decision. This will be the first meeting between the Findlay University Oilers and the Fighting Illini. Findlay has two ranked wrestlers in their lineup in Division II 2006 national champion No. 2 Antonio Guerra (Jr., 157) and No. 2 Andy Uhl (Sr., 133).

A recap of Illinois' performance and results from the meet can be found at www.fightingillini.com after completion of the meet. Next up for the Orange and Blue will be Midlands on Dec. 29-30 in Evanston, Ill. Illinois is the three-time defending champion.

Probable Starting Lineups
Illinois
125: 	#5 Gabe Flores (9-0)  //  Jr., Madera, Calif.
133:	Jim Comfort  (9-0)  //  Sr., Peoria, Ill.
	Jimmy Kennedy (9-0)  //  Fr., Ingleside, Ill.
141:	#12 Cassio Pero (9-0)  //  Sr., Chicago Heights, Ill.
149:	#8 Troy Tirapelle (9-0)  //  So., Clovis, Calif.
157:	#4 Mike Poeta (9-0)  //  So., Highwood, Ill.
165: 	Roger Smith-Bergsrud (9-0)  //  So., Lake Bluff, Ill.
174:	#11 Donny Reynolds (9-0)  //  Sr., Frankfort, Ill.
	Nick Guida (9-0)  //  R-Fr., Allentown, Pa.
	Matt Winterhalter (9-0)  // Sr., Durand, Ill.
184:	Pat Brownson (9-0)  //  Jr., Rochelle, Ill.
	David Gleissner (9-0)  // Jr., Ashton, Ill.
197:	Jake Norman (9-0)  //  R-Fr., Batavia, Ill.
	Ben Zulauf (9-0)  //  So., Sterling, Ill.
HWT:	John Wise (9-0)  //  So., Pittsfield, Ill.
	Andy Greenawalt (9-0)  //  R-Fr., Naperville, Ill.
Findlay University
125:	Alex Schumaker  //  Fr., Bluffton, Ohio
133:	#2 Andy Uhl  //  Sr., Avilla, Ind.
141:	Matt Holland  //  Fr., Perrysburg, Ohio
149:	Sean Dong  //  Fr., Dearborn, Mich.
157:	#2 Antonio Guerra  //  Jr., Toledo, Ohio)
165:	Justin Shannon (Fr., Bluffton, Ohio)
	Richard Goss  //  Jr., Toledo, Ohio)
174:	Jeff Havelka  //  So., Langeloth, Pa.
184:	Hiram Smith  //  So., Willard, Ohio
197:	Andy Zaliaskalns  //  So., Massillon, Ohio
	Joshua Fox  //  Fr., Castalia, Ohio
HWT:	Travis Clark  //  So., McComb, Ohio

Central Missouri St.
125:	Seth Norman  //  Fr., Tustin, Mich.
	Caleb Dixon  //  So., Platte City, Mo.
133:	Caleb Hulse  //  So., Shawnee, Kan.
	Keaton Baker  //  So., Stilwell, Kan.
141:	Seth Robison  //  R-Fr., Farmington, Mo.
149:	Mark Carey  //  So., Raytown, Mo.
157:	Adam Tieben  //  Jr., Dodge City, Kan.
165:	Vince Bertucci  //  Jr., Harrisonville, Mo.
174:	Jesse Sheets  //  So., Lee's Summit, Mo.
184:	Jeremy Hudson  //  Jr., Jefferson City, Mo.
197:	John Ott  //  Fr., Blue Springs, Mo.
HWT:	Drew Dawson  //  Fr., Fulton, Mo.