Northwestern University Athletics
Northwestern Opens 2002-03 Season at Michigan State Open
11/6/2002 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Nov. 6, 2002
EVANSTON, Ill. - Northwestern's wrestling team will open the 2002-03 season this weekend at the Michigan State Open in East Lansing, Mich. The two-day event, beginning Saturday at 10 a.m. and ending Sunday at 3 p.m., is for individual competition (no team scores will be kept).
The 'Cats are expecting big things from senior John Giacche (Flemington, N.J./Blair Academy), who won last year's MSU Open en route to a 29-12 overall record and NCAA Tournament appearance.
"You want to go into this tournament with high standards," said NU head coach Tim Cysewski. "Guys like John should go in and perform really well. We expect him to contend for the 141-pound title again."
Jason Erwinski (Tinley Park, Ill./Mt. Carmel) and Tommy Vargas (Highland, Calif./Pacific) are other returnees looking to raise some eyebrows. Erwinski fought through injury much of last season for a 7-10 record at 174 lbs but he is fully healthy for his senior campaign. Vargas, a sophomore, went 6-15 at 133 lbs but is back at 125 lbs, his natural weight class, this season.
Freshman Matt Delguyd (Mayfield, Ohio/Mayfield) makes a much-anticipated debut at 197 lbs. Delguyd's preseason performance jumped out at the NU coaching staff and is expected to be the Wildcats' starter at 197 lbs. once dual meets begin.
"It's going to be fun to see how Matt wrestles," Cysewski said. "When its all on the line, he is ready to go. He should be right in the thick of things for this tournament and for the rest of the season."
