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11-02-2006, 02:01 PM
http://www.illinoismatmen.com/images/colleges/uofi_trans.gifChampaign, Ill. -- The University of Illinois wrestling team will kick off its 2006-07 season this Friday, Nov. 3 with its annual wrestle-offs. Head coach Mark Johnson will begin his 15th year with the Illini and will look to a mixture of both youth and experience for a successful season.
Although Illinois lost five key grapplers after the 2005 season, five starters return in Gabe Flores (Madera, Calif., 125), 2005 All-American Cassio Pero (Chicago Heights, Ill., 141), Troy Tirapelle (Clovis, Calif., 149), Mike Poeta (Highwood, Ill., 157) and Donny Reynolds (Frankfort, Ill., 174), who were all national qualifiers. With openings in several weight classes, wrestlers have the opportunity to move up or fill in open weights. Wrestle-offs will be one of the key determinants for filling in openings in the 2006 lineup.
Fans will have an opportunity to see the future of Illinois wrestling. Freshmen John Deneen (125), Jimmy Kennedy (133), Matthew Lee (141), Joey Kotowski (149), John Dergo (184) and Mike Shaub (HWT), along with junior college transfer Dave Gleissner (184), are slated to make their collegiate debuts for the Illini.
Due to injuries, sophomore Mike Poeta (157) and senior Donny Reynolds (174) will not wrestle. The intrasquad matches will begin at 7 p.m. at Huff Hall.
Wrestle-Off Lineup
125: Gabe Flores (Jr.) vs. John Deneen (Fr.)
133: Jim Comfort (Sr.) vs. Dan Manzella (Sr.)
133/141: Jimmy Kennedy (Fr.) vs. Matthew Lee (Fr.)
141: Cassio Pero (Sr.) vs. Joel Karr (Sr.)
149: Troy Tirapelle (So.) vs. Dan Zeman (Jr.)
149/157: Joey Kotowski (Fr.) vs. Clint Arlis (R-Fr.)
165: Roger Smith-Bergsrud (So.) vs. Mark Lukaszewski (R-Fr.)
174: Matt Winterhalter (Sr.) vs. Nick Guida (R-Fr.)
184: David Gleissner (Jr.) vs. Pat Brownson (JR)
184/197: John Dergo (Fr.) vs. Jake Norman (R-Fr.)
197: Patrick Bond (R-Fr.) vs. Ben Zulauf (So.)
197/HWT: Matt Harding (Sr.) vs. John Wise (So.)
HWT: Mike Shaub (Fr.) vs. Andy Greenawalt (R-Fr.)
-- Written by FightingIllini.com
Although Illinois lost five key grapplers after the 2005 season, five starters return in Gabe Flores (Madera, Calif., 125), 2005 All-American Cassio Pero (Chicago Heights, Ill., 141), Troy Tirapelle (Clovis, Calif., 149), Mike Poeta (Highwood, Ill., 157) and Donny Reynolds (Frankfort, Ill., 174), who were all national qualifiers. With openings in several weight classes, wrestlers have the opportunity to move up or fill in open weights. Wrestle-offs will be one of the key determinants for filling in openings in the 2006 lineup.
Fans will have an opportunity to see the future of Illinois wrestling. Freshmen John Deneen (125), Jimmy Kennedy (133), Matthew Lee (141), Joey Kotowski (149), John Dergo (184) and Mike Shaub (HWT), along with junior college transfer Dave Gleissner (184), are slated to make their collegiate debuts for the Illini.
Due to injuries, sophomore Mike Poeta (157) and senior Donny Reynolds (174) will not wrestle. The intrasquad matches will begin at 7 p.m. at Huff Hall.
Wrestle-Off Lineup
125: Gabe Flores (Jr.) vs. John Deneen (Fr.)
133: Jim Comfort (Sr.) vs. Dan Manzella (Sr.)
133/141: Jimmy Kennedy (Fr.) vs. Matthew Lee (Fr.)
141: Cassio Pero (Sr.) vs. Joel Karr (Sr.)
149: Troy Tirapelle (So.) vs. Dan Zeman (Jr.)
149/157: Joey Kotowski (Fr.) vs. Clint Arlis (R-Fr.)
165: Roger Smith-Bergsrud (So.) vs. Mark Lukaszewski (R-Fr.)
174: Matt Winterhalter (Sr.) vs. Nick Guida (R-Fr.)
184: David Gleissner (Jr.) vs. Pat Brownson (JR)
184/197: John Dergo (Fr.) vs. Jake Norman (R-Fr.)
197: Patrick Bond (R-Fr.) vs. Ben Zulauf (So.)
197/HWT: Matt Harding (Sr.) vs. John Wise (So.)
HWT: Mike Shaub (Fr.) vs. Andy Greenawalt (R-Fr.)
-- Written by FightingIllini.com