Northwestern
Illinois
Three Ranked Wildcats Pick Up Wins Against Illinois
1/25/2015 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
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| #10 Illinois 31, #22 Northwestern 9 Welsh-Ryan Arena • Evanston, Ill. |
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EVANSTON, Ill. - Ranked Wildcats Jason Tsirtsis (149), Pierce Harger (165), and Alex Polizzi (197) picked up victories this Sunday at Welsh-Ryan Arena as No. 22 Northwestern fell to No. 10 Illinois 31-9.
Northwestern celebrated Alumni Weekend by honoring the 1990 team during the dual. All-Americans Jack Griffin, Brad Traviolia, Mike Funk, and Matt Case were among the honored Wildcats. The 1990 team put together an impressive resume, finishing third at Midlands, third at the Big Ten Championships and fourth at the NCAA Championships.
Defending national champion Jason Tsirtsis got back to his winning ways with a 4-2 decision over Kyle Langenderfer. The win put Northwestern on the board after a rough start against two ranked Illini wrestlers.
Sixth-ranked Pierce Harger reenergized the 'Cats after the intermission with a 3-1 win over No. 8 Jackson Morse at 165 pounds. Harger took immediate control of the match, taking down Morse early in the first period. Harger rode Morse for the entirety of the second period, picking up more than four minutes in riding time. With that advantage, Harger held off his opponent for a 3-1 win.
No. 13 Alex Polizzi helped the 'Cats end on a winning note, defeating Jeff Koepke at 197 pounds. Polizzi was the first on the board with a takedown midway through the 1st period. He took quick control in the second period, getting an escape followed by another takedown. Polizzi fended off Koepke for the entire 3rd period and took the match 6-1.
The Wildcats remain at home this week, taking on No. 12 Nebraska at Welsh-Ryan Arena at 7 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 30.
Results
125: Dominic Olvieri (Ill.) dec. Garrison White (NU), 5-2
133: No. 4 Zane Richards (Ill.) maj. dec. Dominick Malone (NU), 14-5
141: No. 12 Steven Rodrigues (Ill.) dec. Jameson Oster (NU), 8-6
149: No. 1 Jason Tsirtsis (NU) dec. Kyle Langenderfer (Ill.), 4-2
157: No. 4 Isaiah Martinez (Ill.) fall Ben Sullivan (NU), 3:43
165: No. 6 Pierce Harger (NU) dec. No. 8 Jackson Morse (Ill.), 3-1
174: No. 9 Zac Brunson (Ill.) Win by Forfeit
184: No. 20 Nikko Reyes (Ill.) dec. Mitch Sliga (NU), 4-1
197: No. 13 Alex Polizzi (NU) Jeff Koepke (Ill.), 6-1
285: Brooks Black (Ill.) Win by Forfeit
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Players Mentioned
