Northwestern University Athletics
Wrestling Kicks Off Season at Michigan Open
6/21/1999 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
November 8, 1998
EVANSTON, Ill. - The Wildcats wrestling team opened the 1998-99 campaign yesterday at the Michigan Open in East Lansing, Mich. Northwestern was voted in the top 10 in both major preseason polls.
Among the highlights from the first day of competition was the performance in the upper weight classes. All-American senior Mark Bybee (Chicago, Ill./St. Laurence) steamrolled into the semifinals at 174 pounds with a pair of wins, including a 27 second pinfall. Junior Tom Ciezki (Evergreen Park, Ill./St. Laurence) also advanced to the semifinals with three wins yesterday, including a 12-9 win against the number two seed at 184 pounds.
Senior All-American Sam Neider also advanced to the semifinals at 197 pounds. The top-seeded Neider scored pinfall victories in both his matches. Finally, true freshman Josh Saul (Corena Del Mar, Calif./Calvary Chapel) was the fourth Wildcat to make the semifinals, doing so at heavyweight.
The semifinal and championship rounds are being held this afternoon in East Lansing.
