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174-pounder Ben King has a team-high 12-match win streak with three of his last four wins coming against ranked wrestlers.
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March 2, 2000
BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIPS
The fifth-ranked University of Illinois wrestling
team will travel to West Lafayette, Ind., for the 86th annual Big Ten
Wrestling Championships. The championships will be held March 4-5 at Mackey
Arena on the campus of Purdue University.
The Fighting Illini enter this year's championship after compiling a 14-1 dual record, matching the 1997 team for best single-season dual mark record under head coach Mark Johnson. That squad went on to finish third at the Big Ten Championships. The Illini rank second in the Big Ten in team championships with 16. The last Illinois team to win the title was in 1952. Iowa leads the Big Ten with 28 team championships. Illinois has also crowned 55 individual Big Ten champions which ranks sixth. The last Illinois individual champion was 158-pounder Ernest Benion in 1997.
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS
The following is a breakdown of the daily sessions at
this year's Big Ten Wrestling Championships.
Saturday, March 4
10 a.m. EST Session I begins
7 p.m. EST Session II begins
Sunday, March 5
11 a.m. EST Session III begins
3 p.m. EST Finals begin
THE COACH
Head coach Mark Johnson is in his eighth season as head coach
of the Fighting Illini, with a record of 92-24-1 (.791) at Illinois.
- Has a career record of 112-29-3 (.788) in 10 years
- Third-winningest coach in Illinois history, behind B.R. Patterson (99 wins) and H.E. Kenney (94 wins)
- 1977 Michigan graduate and two-time All-American at 177 pounds
- 1980 U.S. Olympic team member
- 1995 NCAA Division I Coach of the Year
- Has coached three national champions, 15 All-Americans and 54 Big Ten placewinners at Illinois
THE JOHNSON LEDGER
| Year | Dual | Big Ten | NCAA |
| 1993 | 9-4 | Eighth | T-23rd |
| 1994 | 7-5-1 | Ninth | T-37th |
| 1995 | 13-2 | Fourth | 9th |
| 1996 | 11-6 | Fourth | 12th |
| 1997 | 14-1 | Third | 9th |
| 1998 | 11-3 | Sixth | 7th |
| 1999 | 13-2 | Fourth | 12th |
| 2000 | 14-1 |
The Lineup
| Wt. | Wrestler | Overall Record | Collegiate Record |
| 125 | Ryan Escobar | 23-9 | 23-8 |
| 133 | Dave Stoltz | 16-12 | 16-11 |
| 141 | Carl Perry | 18-4 | 17-4 |
| 149 | Adam Tirapelle | 31-2 | 29-2 |
| 157 | Griff Powell | 21-7 | 20-7 |
| 165 | Bill Zeman | 21-9 | 21-9 |
| 174 | Ben King | 16-7 | 15-7 |
| 184 | Nate Patrick | 30-3 | 30-3 |
| 197 | Pat Quirk | 25-6 | 24-6 |
| Hwt | John Lockhart | 25-4 | 25-2 |
THE RATING GAME
The Fighting Illini are ranked sixth in the latest
InterMat NCAA Division I wrestling rankings and fifth by the National
Wrestling Coaches Association. Nine Illini individuals are also ranked,
they are: Ryan Escobar, 9th (125), Carl Perry, 9th (141), Adam Tirapelle,
5th (149), Griff Powell, 14th (157), Bill Zeman, 17th (165), Ben King, 13th
(174), Nate Patrick, 5th (184), Pat Quirk, 10th (197) and John Lockhart,
5th (Heavyweight).
IT'S GOOD TO BE THE KING
Illinois 174-pounder Ben King has been the
Illini's hottest wrestler of late. He has a team-high 12-match win streak
and three of his last four wins have come against ranked wrestlers. King
earned a 2-1 double-overtime win over No. 14 Will Hill of Michigan State,
an 11-8 decision over No. 15 Gabe McMahan of Iowa and a 9-3 decision over
No. 7 Mark Bybee of Northwestern. His efforts have been noticed nationally
as the previously unranked King checks in at No. 13 in the individual
rankings this week.
FALL GUY:
Adam Tirapelle tied assistant coach Karl Roesler for fourth place
on the Fighting Illini's career pins list with his fall over Nick Scacco of
Northwestern. With his next pin - his 14th of the season - he will tie the
third-place mark of Bob Norman, who had 22 career pins.
PERRY CRACKS LIST
Senior 141-pounder Carl Perry moved into eighth-place on
the Illini's career wins list. Perry has 90 career victories and with one
more win - his 19th win of the season - he will tie Seth Brady for seventh
on the list with 91 victories.
HOT PURSUIT
Perry is being pursued by Adam Tirapelle and Bill Zeman in
career wins. Tirapelle is the team leader in wins with 31, giving him 88
for his career. Bill Zeman is only three behind with 85 career wins.
HOT TICKET
The 2000 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships, to be held at
Kiel Center, March 16-18, in St. Louis, Missouri, has sold the most
all-session tickets in the 69-year history of the event. With 15,015
all-session tickets sold and three-day championship ticket sales over
90,090, the University of Missouri and St. Louis Sports Commission have
surpassed the previous record set in 1997 at the University of Northern
Iowa. The Kiel Center, which will seat 19,854 for wrestling, is the largest
venue ever to host the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships.
Approximately 2,000 general public seats are still available. For
information on all-session and Saturday-only tickets, fans may call
800/916-9642.
CLUB 30
Illinois juniors Adam Tirapelle and Nate Patrick have each earned
30 or more wins this season. Those win totals mark the 23rd and 24th time
in Illini history an individual has had 30 or more wins in a single season.
Tirapelle joined the club last year with the 34 victories and is one of
seven others (Steve Marianetti, Eric Siebert, Kevin Puebla, Ernest Benion,
Lindsey Durlacher and Jevon Herman) to have accomplished this feat twice in
their careers. With 30 or more wins next season, Tirapelle will become the
only Illini to have ever made the list three times. Patrick just fell short
with 29 wins last season.
RANKED ROOKIES
Illinois' recruiting class of Mark Jayne (Elyria, Ohio, St.
Edward High School) and Paul Collum (Romeoville High School) are the
top-ranked senior wrestlers in their respective weight classes according to
Wrestling USA magazine. Jayne, a two-time Ohio state champion, is first at
125 pounds while Collum, a two-time Illinois state champ, is tops at 130.
Career Wins
| No. | Wrestler (Wt.) | Wins |
| 1. | Ernest Benion (158) | 121 |
| 2. | Steve Marianetti (134/150) | 120 |
| 3. | Eric Siebert (150) | 112 |
| 4. | Jevon Herman (177) | 110 |
| 5. | Kevin Puebla (126) | 104 |
| 6. | Jon Llewellyn (Hwt) | 97 |
| 7. | Seth Brady (Hwt) | 91 |
| 8. | Carl Perry (141) | 90 |
| 9. | Adam Tirapelle (149) | 88 |
| Jon Vaughn (134/142) | 88 | |
| Karl Roesler (190/Hwt) | 88 | |
| 11. | Kirk Azinger (142/150) | 86 |
| Lindsey Durlacher (118) | 86 | |
| 13. | Bill Zeman (165) | 85 |
Career Pins
| No. | Wrestler | Years | Pins |
| 1. | Keith Healy | 1984-88 | 31 |
| 2. | Larry TenPas | 1953-56 | 26 |
| 3. | Bob Norman | 1956-58 | 22 |
| 4. | Karl Roesler | 1995-99 | 21 |
| Adam Tirapelle | 1997- | 21 | |
| 6. | Eric Siebert | 1994-98 | 19 |
| Bill Zeman | 1997- | 17 | |
| Nate Patrick | 1998- | 11 | |
| Carl Perry | 1996- | 10 | |
| John Lockhart | 1998- | 9 |
Career Coaching Wins
| No. | Coach | Years | Record |
| 1. | B.R. Patterson | 1951-68 | 99-111-12 |
| 2. | H.E. Kenney | 1929-43, 47 | 94-30-3 |
| 3. | Mark Johnson | 1993- | 92-24-1 |
| 4. | Ron Clinton | 1984-92 | 47-87 |
| 5. | Paul Prehn | 1920-28 | 42-5 |
| 6. | Tom Porter | 1974-78 | 38-49-2 |
| 7. | Greg Johnson | 1979-83 | 37-52-2 |
| 8. | Glenn Law | 1944-50 | 30-15-2 |
| 9. | Jack Robinson | 1969-73 | 28-49-1 |
| 10. | Walter Evans | 1915-17 | 7-2-2 |
| 11. | A. Elston | 1912-13 | 2-2 |
| 12. | T. Paulsen | 1914 | 1-0 |
| 13. | R.N. Fargo | 1911 | 0-1 |
| 88 year total | 520-421-24 (.551) |
A look at the Illini's starting lineup, weight-by-weight:
125 Pounds
Ryan Escobar23-9 overall, 10-3 duals
5-6 Jr. El Dorado, Calif.
- Ranked No. 9 at 125 pounds by InterMat
- Escobar had a 5-3 record in Big Ten duals this season and was 6-4 against
- Has recorded six falls
- Has won five of his last six matches
133 Pounds
Dave Stoltz16-12 overall, 5-6 duals
5-4 So. Arlington Heights, Ill.
- Unranked
- Stoltz had a 4-4 record in Big Ten duals this season and was 5-6 against
- Has a four-match losing streak
1997-98: Redshirt season. Finished with an 11-3 record while competing unattached at 126 pounds.
High School: IHSA state champion in 1995. 1996 Greco Junior National Champion. 1997 Greco Junior National runner-up.
141 Pounds
Carl Perry18-4 overall, 11-2 duals
5-6 Sr. Chesapeake, Va.
- Ranked No. 9 at 141 pounds by InterMat
- Perry had a 6-2 record in Big Ten duals this season and was 9-2 against
- Has a two-match wn streak
- Currently has 90 career wins which ranks eighth on the Illini's all-time career wins list.
1997-98: Earned All-America honors by placing seventh at the 1998 NCAA Championships at 126 pounds. Went 6-2 at the NCAA Championships. Reached the NCAA meet after finishing seventh at the Big Ten Championships. Finished 25-9 with two pins.
1996-97: Named to Amateur Wrestling News' second team All-Rookie Team . Only true freshman to wrestle for the Illini during the season. Started at 126 pounds and finished with a record of 20-6.
149 Pounds
Adam Tirapelle31-2 overall, 14-1 duals
5-6 Jr. Clovis, Calif.
- Ranked No. 5 at 149 pounds by InterMat
- Had a 7-1 record in Big Ten duals this season and was 8-2 against Big Ten competition
- Has 13 pins this season after only recording eight falls in his first two seasons. He now has 21 career pins tying Karl Roesler for fourth on the Illini's all-time career pins list. With his next pin - his 14th of the season - he will tie Bob Norman who registered 22 falls from 1956-58
1997-98: Qualified for the NCAA Championships and finished with a 2-2 record. Placed fourth at the Big Ten Championships. Finished season with a 23-8 record with four pins.
157 Pounds
Griff Powell21-7 overall, 9-4 duals
5-7 So. Morton Grove, Ill.
- Ranked No. 14 at 157 pounds by InterMat
- Powell had a 5-3 record in Big Ten duals this season and was 6-4 against
- Currently has a two-match win streak
1997-98: Redshirt season. Competed unattached at 150 pounds at the St. Louis Open, Northern Open and Miami Open. Ended season with a 12-3 record with one pin. Won the title at the Miami Open. Placed third at the St. Louis Open in the fresh/soph division. Over the summer, he placed seventh at the Junior World Team Trials.
165 Pounds
Bill Zeman21-9 overall, 8-4 duals
5-9 Sr. Countryside, Ill.
- Ranked No. 17 at 165 pounds by InterMat
- Zeman had a 5-2 record in Big Ten duals this season and was 9-4 against
- Has a two-match win streak
1997-98: Qualified for his first NCAA Championships and finished with a 1-2 record. Finished seventh at the Big Ten Championships.
1996-97: Named to Amateur Wrestling News' fourth-team All-Rookie Team . Was the starter at 167 pounds and posted a record of 15-13. Placed seventh at the Big Ten Championships. Won three matches by falls.
1995-96: Redshirt season. Posted 9-4 record competing unattached. Won frosh/soph division at St. Louis Open.
174 Pounds
Ben King16-7 overall, 13-1 duals
5-10 Jr. Western Springs, Ill.
- Ranked No. 13 at 174 pounds by InterMat
- King had a 8-0 record in Big Ten duals this season (after going 0-8 in Big Ten duals last year) and was 8-2 against Big Ten competiton
- Currently enjoying a 12-match win streak which is the longest string on the team
1997-98: Proved to be one of Illinois' most improved wrestlers in his freshman season. Finished with a 20-14 record as the starter at 167 pounds. Qualified for the NCAA Championships and finished 2-2 at the tournament. Placed seventh at the Big Ten Championships. Recorded one fall on the year.
1996-97: Redshirt season. Finished 2-1 at the St. Louis Open while competing unattached in the Frosh./Soph. Division.
184 Pounds
Nate Patrick30-3 overall, 14-1 duals
5-10 Jr. Naperville, Ill.
- Ranked No. 5 at 184 pounds by InterMat
- Patrick had a 7-1 record in Big Ten duals this season and was 10-1 against Big Ten competition
- Has a five-match win streak
- Second on the team with eight pins. Posted six consecutive falls in dual action. The pins came against Marquette, So. Illinois, Air Force, Fresno State, San Fransicso and Indiana.
1997-98: Missed the entire season after tearing his ACL in preseason workouts.
1996-97: Redshirt season. Competed unattached at the St. Louis Open, where he finished third in the Freshman/Sophomore Division. Competed at the Northern Open, where he went 3-2.
197 Pounds
Pat Quirk25-6 overall, 11-4 duals
5-11 Jr. Clarendon Hills, Ill.
- Ranked No. 10 at 197 pounds by InterMat
- Quirk had a 5-3 record in Big Ten duals this season and was 10-3 against
- Has a three-match win streak
1997-98: Finished third at the Big Ten Championships at 190 pounds. Qualified for the NCAA Championships and finished with a record of 1-2 at the tournament. Placed fourth at the Midlands Classic. Finished the season with a record of 23-13.
1996-97: Redshirt season. Competed unattached at the St. Louis Open at 190 pounds and finished second in the Frosh./Soph. Division. Placed fourth at the 1997 Espoir National Tournament.
Heavyweight
John Lockhart21-3 overall, 9-1 duals
6-2 So. Mahomet, Ill.
- Ranked No. 5 at heavyweight by InterMat
- Lockhart has a 7-1 record in Big Ten duals this season and was 10-1 against Big Ten competition
- Has a two-match win streak
- Earned titles at both the St. Louis Open and Las Vegas Invitational
1997-98: Redshirt season. Placed fifth at 1998 Junior World Team Trials. Competed unattached at the St. Louis Open, Northern Open and Miami Open and finished year with an 8-3 record. Won the fresh/soph division title at the St. Louis Open. Placed second at the Miami Open.
