Northwestern University Athletics
Grapplers Keep Busy with four dual meets over the weekend
1/10/2002 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Jan. 10, 2002
Evanston, Ill. - Before the Northwestern wrestling squad kicks off the Big Ten portion of its schedule next weekend against Purdue, the Wildcats will have to concentrate on this weekend's action which includes four nonconference duals at two separate locations.
The 'Cats are 3-4 in dual competition after dropping three of four at last weekend's Lone Star Duals. Junior Ryan Kane (Temecula, Calif./Temecula Valley) went undefeated at 165-pounds to up his dual record to 6-1 on the year. The meet also marked junior Jason Erwinski's (Tinley Park, Ill./Mt. Carmel) return to the mat, as the 174-pounder was sidelined with an injury during the first part of the season. Erwinski should be in the lineup in at least half NU's duals this weekend.
In Friday evening's action, the Wildcats will travel to Charleston, Ill., to take on intrastate opponent Eastern Illinois at 7 p.m. The Panthers are 0-4 in dual competition this year. They have faced two Big Ten teams already, falling to No. 17 Illinois, 34-3, and No. 7 Ohio State, 41-3. EIU also dropped a close, 19-17 decision to Tennessee-Chattanooga, who the 'Cats will see on Sunday.
The Panthers are coached by Ralph McCausland in his 19th season. They are led on the mat by 133-pounder Pat Dowty, who earned a No. 19 ranking by InterMat last week.
On Sunday, the 'Cats will take part in the Wendy Duals in Ashland, Ohio. They are scheduled to face Tennessee-Chattanooga, Gardner-Webb and host Ashland in the one- day event. The first round begins at 11 a.m. CST.
Ashland has been dominating its competition this year, taking first at both the Simahon Open and the Midwest Classic. They are also 3-0 in dual meets, shutting out Baldwin-Wallace, 49-0, and Muskingum, 45-0. They also posted a 31-6 win over Mercycrest.
Tennessee-Chattanooga went 1-3 last weekend at the Buckeye Duals, with its win coming against EIU. UTC also placed fifth at the Citadel Open earlier in the year with 69 points.
Interim head coach Franky James has been placed in charge of the coaching duties for the year after Mark Leen resigned on Nov. 7. Leen had coached the Mocs the past six seasons.
NU's last opponent of the weekend is Gardner-Webb out of Boiling Springs, N.C. The Bulldogs also wrestled at the Citadel Open, placing last in the field of eight with 37 points. They are 1-2 in dual competition, with the lone win coming against Pensacola Christian, 32-13.
The Wildcats will open the Big Ten season next Friday in Purdue. Match time is set for 7 p.m.
