April 22, 2007

Akron, Ohio - Fourteen unattached University of Illinois wrestlers competed at the ASICS Men's FILA Cadet and University National Championships this weekend at the Athletics Field House on the campus of The University of Akron. Three grapplers in Mike Poeta (154), Ben Friedl (174) and Patrick Bond (211) finished in the top-eight to qualify for the 2007 Senior World Team Trials in June.

All-American Mike Poeta, who wrestled in the 154 weight-division, finished fourth after the weekend's competition. Poeta dropped a rematch against former Michigan All-American Ryan Churella for fourth-place. The two last met in the 2005 season in an Illini home dual against Michigan. Freshman Ben Friedl (174) finished eighth and redshirt-freshman Patrick Bond (211) finished fifth. The top-eight finalists in each division will qualify for the 2007 Senior World Team Trials which will be held in Las Vegas, Nev. on June 8-10.

The championships consisted of a FILA Cadet Division as well as a University Division, both being wrestled in Greco-Roman and Freestyle. All Illini grapplers competed in the University Freestyle division.

For complete results from the 2007 ASICS University National Championships, visit www.usawrestling.org.

Illinois Finalists

163:
1st Place - Harry Lester (USOEC)
2nd Place - Travis Paulson (Cyclone Wrestling Club)
3rd Place - Ryan Churella (NYAC)
4th Place - Mike Poeta (Illini Wrestling Club)
5th Place - Dave Rella (Penn State)
6th Place - Seth Garvin (Chattanooga School of Wrestling)
7th Place - Keegan Davis (Orange Crush)
8th Place - Marc Hoff (Advantage Wrestling Club)


174:
1st Place - Mike Galante (LVAC)
2nd Place - Jake Kerr (Hawkeye Wrestling Club)
3rd Place - David Erwin (Penn State)
4th Place - Mike Miller (Advantage Wrestling Club)
5th Place - Matt Stolpinski (Navy Wrestling Club)
6th Place - Jeff James (Underdog Wrestling Club)
7th Place - John Murphy (Michigan WC)
8th Place - Ben Friedl (Illini Wrestling Club)


211:
1st Place - Mike Tamillow (Wildcat WC)
2nd Place - Daren Burns (Greensboro)
3rd Place - Phil Davis (Penn State)
4th Place - Matt Koz (Chattanooga School of Wrestling)
5th Place - Patrick Bond (Illini Wrestling Club)
6th Place - Wynn Michalak (Advantage Wrestling Club)
7th Place - Brent Jones (Cavalier Wrestling Club)
8th Place - Casey Phelps (BWC)