Northwestern University Athletics
Wrestling Opens Big Ten Season at Purdue on Friday
1/17/2002 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Jan. 17, 2002
Evanston, Ill. - After sweeping the competition at the Wendy Duals last weekend, the Northwestern wrestling team (7-4) will open the Big Ten season at No. 21 Purdue (10-1) Friday at 6 p.m. CST. The 'Cats will also face Northern Illinois (6-2) at 2 p.m. CST. Sunday in DeKalb.
The Boilermakers lead the all-time series over the 'Cats, 38-36-2. Last year in Evanston, Purdue defeated NU, 26-9.
The Purdue roster contains four returning NCAA qualifiers and four grapplers currently ranked in the top 20 of their respective weight class by InterMat.com. Freshman Chris Fleeger holds the highest ranking at No. 4 in the 125-pound class. Ryan Lange is ranked 8th at 174, Jon Bush is 19th at 197 and Jacob Vercelli is fifth in the heavyweight division.
Northern Illinois, NU's nonconference opponent this weekend, received votes in the latest InterMat.com rankings. The Huskies have two men ranked in the top 20, Scott Ownen is 10th at 157 and Ben Heizer is 14th at 184. In NIU's only other Big Ten action this year, the Huskies edged Indiana, 19-15. Last year in Evanston, NU and NIU deadlocked, 18-18.
The Wildcats are on a four-match win streak, led by Rob Potashnick's (St. Louis, Mo./Parkway Central) six-match win streak of his own at 125. The junior is 10-1 in dual competition and 14-7 overall. Both records already surpass his previous season-high totals.
The 'Cats return home next weekend to host Illinois Friday, Jan. 25 at 7 p.m. in Welsh-Ryan Arena.
