Jan. 13, 2007
College Park, Md. -
The No. 16 Illinois wrestling team defeated North Carolina, 32-3 in the first of two matches against ACC competition. #8 Gabe Flores, #18 Jimmy Kennedy, #8 Cassio Pero, #13 Troy Tirapelle, #1 Mike Poeta, #14 Roger Smith-Bergsrud, Nick Guida, #15 John Dergo and Patrick Bond all won their respective matches.
Jimmy Kennedy (Ingleside, Ill.) upset #8 Evan Sola, 3-0 in their 133-pound match. With no scoring after the first period, Kennedy rode Sola for the entire second period. The two traded solid shots in the third and Kennedy finally scored on a late takedown to take the lead. With two minutes of riding time collected, a point was awarded to the Illinois freshman.
In his first match as the top-ranked 157-pounder in the country, Mike Poeta (Highwood, Ill.) posted a major decision against Ben Fiacco, 13-3. Poeta logged logged four takedowns and a three-point near fall in the victory.
At 165, #14 Roger Smith-Bergsrud upset #12 Keegan Mueller, 7-3. Smith-Bergsrud (Lake Bluff, Ill.) opened the first period with a takedown but Mueller cut the lead in half as time expired. In the second, McCarthy tied the score on an escape. The Illinois sophomore pulled away after scoring two takedowns in the third period.
Patrick Bond won a 9-3 decision against Dennis Drury in their 197-pound match. Bond, who hails from nearby Chesapeake, Va., posted three takedowns in front of his family and friends.
The Illini face Maryland this afternoon at 4 p.m. at the Comcast Center Pavilion.
ILLINOIS 32, North Carolina 3
125: #8 Gabe Flores dec. Drew Forshey, 5-3 3-0
133: #18 Jimmy Kennedy dec. #8 Evan Sola, 3-0 6-0
141: #8 Cassio Pero dec. Mike Rappo, 9-5 9-0
149: #13 Troy Tirapelle dec. Vincent Ramirez, 6-3 12-0
157: #1 Mike Poeta MD Ben Fiacco, 13-3 16-0
165: #14 Roger Smith-Bergsrud dec. #12 K. Mueller, 7-3 19-0
174: Nick Guida DEF. Alex Maciag 25-0
184: #15 John Dergo MD Robert McCarthy, 9-1 29-0
197: Patrick Bond vs. Dennis Drury, 7-3 32-0
HWT: #9 Spencer Nadolsky dec. John Wise, 6-4 32-3
