125-Pound Preview
The 125-pound weight class at the Big Ten Championships features the defending NCAA Champion, the defending Big Ten champion and four wrestlers ranked among the top eight in the country.
Defending national champion Joe Dubuque (Indiana) leads the weight class, grappling to a perfect 19-0 record on the season and 7-0 in Big Ten action. The senior is making his third appearance at Big Tens. Defending Big Ten champion senior No. 3 Nick Simmons (Michigan State) along with Northwestern senior No. 7 John Velez (20-6 overall, 6-2 Big Ten) and Illinois senior No. 8 Kyle Ott round out the ranked grapplers. Simmons (28-0 overall, 8-0 Big Ten) looks to contend against Dubuque, who finished third in 2005 and has taken bouts over Ott and Velez during the 2006 dual season. Dubuque and Simmons are both undefeated and have not met in 2006. Ott, a 2004 and 2005 NCAA finalist, went 9-3 overall and 5-3 in Big Tens this season. Ott took second a year ago at Big Tens and has never finished lower than third.
Making their first trips to the conference tournament are Minnesota redshirt freshman Travis Lang (24-14 overall, 3-4 Big Ten), Penn State freshman Brad Pataky (15-6 overall, 2-1 Big Ten) and Michigan freshman Michael Watts (12-16 overall, 4-3 Big Ten).
Competing for the second straight year are Wisconsin junior Colin Cudd (10-9 overall, 2-6 Big Ten), Iowa junior Lucas Magnani (11-12 overall, 3-3 Big Ten) and Purdue sophomore Brandon Tucker (15-16 overall, 1-5 Big Ten).
Ohio State senior Nathan Costello (3-11 overall, 0-1 Big Ten) round out the field and is competing in his third straight championship.
NWCA Individual Rankings (1/22)
1. Joe Dubuque (IND)
3. Nick Simmons (MSU)
7. John Velez (NU)
8. Kyle Ott (ILL)
133-Pound Preview
The 133-pound weight class also is very competitive. Four grapplers are ranked among the top 10, and three are returning All-Americans. Two of this year's competitors have a conference title, and seven are making their Big Ten debuts.
Minnesota sophomore Mack Reiter (25-3, 6-0 Big Ten) headlines the division. Reiter is tabbed third in the country, the defending conference champion and is the only 133-pound wrestler to go undefeated in conference action. Purdue senior Chris Fleeger (9-1 overall, 7-1 Big Ten), ranked fourth, is not far behind with only one loss on the year coming against Indiana redshirt freshman No. 18 Andrae Hernandez. Fleeger won the crown in 2003 and is looking for another strong showing. Wisconsin senior No. 6 Tom Clum is another challenger to watch, going 10-2 overall 6-1 in Big Ten. Clum is making his fourth and final trip to the championships in 2006. Penn State freshman Jake Strayer (19-3, 6-2 Big Ten) is another grappler looking to make some noise, as he is ranked No.9 in the weight class. Included in the crowded ranked field also is junior No. 11 Mark Moos (14-4 overall, 4-2 Big Ten) of dual-season champion Michigan Wolverines. Strayer is one of four ranked-competitors making their debut at the championships as the list also includes Hernandez (26-6 overall, 7-1 Big Ten), Illinois sophomore No. 19 Gabe Flores (8-5 overall, 4-4 Big Ten) and Ohio State freshman No. 20 Reece Humphrey (24-11 overall, 0-5 Big Ten).
The remaining competitors include Iowa freshman Daniel Dennis (15-16 overall, 1-7 Big Ten), once ranked as high as No. 21 in the country, Northwestern senior Daniel Quintela (9-15 overall, 2-6 Big Ten) and Michigan State redshirt freshman Jeff Wimberly (10-19 overall, 1-7 Big Ten), who is making his Big Ten debut.
NWCA Individual Rankings (1/22)
3. Mack Reiter (MINN)
4. Chris Fleeger (PUR)
6. Tom Clum (WISC)
9. Jake Strayer (PSU)
11. Mark Moos (MICH)
18. Andrae Hernandez (IND)
19. Gabe Flores (ILL)
20. Reece Humphrey (OSU)
141-Pound Preview
The 141-pound weight class also features four of the nation's top-10 grapplers. Four of the top-five finishers in 2005 are back to take a run at the conference title, and four wrestlers are making the trip to the championships for the first time.
Michigan sophomore Josh Churella (22-1 overall, 8-0 Big Ten) is looking to make it back-to-back titles as he finished the dual season undefeated. Churella will be challenged by Michigan State junior Andy Simmons (28-3 overall, 6-1 Big Ten), who finished second last season, Iowa sophomore Alex Tsirtsis (18-9, 6-2 Big Ten), who took fifth and Northwestern sophomore Ryan Lang (15-4 overall, 4-3 Big Ten), who finished fourth. Rounding out the ranked field are Penn State senior No. 11 DeWitt Driscoll (14-7 overall, 5-3 Big Tens) and Minnesota sophomore No. 13 Manuel Rivera (24-11 overall, 5-2 Big Ten).
The remaining bracket slots feature Purdue junior Jason Cook (23-10 Big Ten, 1-5 Big Ten) or freshman Jake Patacsil (13-8 overall, 0-2 Big Ten), Ohio State's sophomore T.J. Enright (15-12 overall, 2-6 Big Ten), Wisconsin senior Ed Gutnik (8-6 overall, 4-3 Big Ten), Illinois junior Cassio Pero (13-7 overall, 3-3 Big Ten) and Indiana senior Nick Spatola (8-14 overall, 0-6 Big Ten).
NWCA Individual Rankings (1/22)
4. Josh Churella (MICH)
5. Andy Simmons (MSU)
6. Alex Tsirtsis (IOWA)
8. Ryan Lang (NU)
11. DeWitt Driscoll (PSU)
13. Manual Rivera (MINN)
149-Pound Preview
The 149-pound weight class is a wide-open field among the nation's top wrestlers, eight of whom are ranked among the top 20. Six grapplers are making their first appearance, while only one senior enters the division that is flooded with young talent.
Michigan sophomore No. 4 Eric Tannenbaum (19-6 overall , 7-1 Big Ten), the defending Big Ten champion, is looking to get back on track after suffering a loss to Minnesota freshman No. 1 Dustin Schlatter (34-1 overall, 7-0 Big Ten). Both grapplers are looking to be crowned as this year's champion, but they will each receive a challenge from Iowa senior No. 2 Ty Eustice (21-1 overall, 6-1 Big Ten) and Purdue senior No. 9 Doug Withstandley (22-7 overall, 4-3 Big Ten).
Also looking to make a wave in this year's competition are Ohio State freshman No. 10 J Jaggers (25-6 overall, 6-2 Big Ten), Wisconsin junior No. 11 Tyler Turner (17-5 overall, 3-4 Big Ten) and Michigan State senior No. 16 Darren McKnight (19-13 overall, 2-6 Big Ten).
The remaining field includes Indiana junior Matt Cooper (12-9 overall, 1-5 Big Ten), Northwestern freshman Marty Gould (6-13 overall, 0-6 Big Ten), Illinois redshirt freshman Troy Tirapelle (21-9 overall, 4-4 Big Ten) and Penn State senior James Woodall (7-5 overall, 2-4 Big Ten).
NWCA Individual Rankings (1/22)
1. Dustin Schlatter (MINN)
2. Ty Eustice (IOWA)
4. Eric Tannenbaum (MICH)
9. Doug Withstandley (PUR)
10. J Jaggers (OSU)
11. Tyler Turner (WIS)
13. James Woodall (PSU)
16. Darren McKnight (MSU)
157-Pound Preview
The 157-pound class features several Big Ten and NCAA Championship contenders. With eight grapplers ranked among the top 20, three among the top five and four 2005 All-Americans, the field is sure to be a battle for the conference crown.
Two-time defending Big Ten champion Alex Tirapelle of Illinois (21-1, 7-0 Big Ten) looks to make it a third crown in 2006. Tirapelle, tabbed No. 1 in the country, will have his work cut out for him against Minnesota freshman No. 3 C.P. Schlatter (31-5 overall, 7-1 Big Ten), Wisconsin sophomore No. 4 Craig Henning (23-5 overall, 7-1 Big Ten), Indiana sophomore No. 6 Brandon Becker (19-6 overall, 5-3 Big Ten) and Iowa senior No. 7 Joe Johnston (21-6 overall, 6-2 Big Ten), who was the 2005 NCAA runner-up.
Also looking to make a go at a conference title are Michigan freshman No. 12 Steve Luke (10-8 overall, 2-3 Big Ten) and Penn State junior No. 13 Nathan Galloway (11-12 overall, 2-6 Big Ten).
Rounding out the competitive field are Northwestern sophomore Greg Hagel (16-14 overall, 2-6 Big Ten), Purdue freshman Jake Murphy (9-22 overall, 0-8 Big Ten) and Ohio State senior Steve Sommer (20-14 overall, 2-4 Big Ten).
NWCA Individual Rankings (1/22)
1. Alex Tirapelle (ILL)
3. C.P. Schlatter (MINN)
4. Craig Henning (WISC)
6. Brandon Becker (IND)
7. Joe Johnston (IOWA)
12. Steve Luke (MICH)
13. Steve Sommer (OSU)
165-Pound Preview
There is no room for error in the 165-pound division, as it includes three top 10 grapplers and eight ranked in all. Along with the highly touted field, two are returning All-Americans and three of the top-five finishers from the 2005 Big Ten championships are back.
Defending Big Ten champion Michigan senior No. 1 Ryan Churella (22-0 overall, 8-0 Big Ten) leads the talented field. Illinois redshirt freshman No. 7 Mike Poeta (23-4,7-1 Big Ten) and Minnesota senior No. 9 Matt Nagel (26-8 overall, 7-1 Big Ten) are also looking to make championships a tough road.
While the weight class is filled with top-10 wrestlers, the dual season has shown that anyone can win on any given day. Big Ten grapplers looking to make that happen are Penn State freshman No. 12 David Erwin (23-6 overall, 5-1 Big Ten), Wisconsin junior No. 17 Jake Donar (9-9 overall, 4-4 Big Ten), Iowa junior No. 18 Eric Luedke (17-10 overall, 5-3 Big Ten) and Northwestern senior No. 19 Will Durkee (18-10 overall, 3-5 Big Ten).
Completing the 11-wrestler field are Purdue sophomore Dan Bedoy (1-7 overall, 1-7 Big Ten), Indiana sophomore Max Dean (21-12 overall, 2-6 Big Ten), Michigan State sophomore Greg Goidosik (11-7 overall, 1-2 Big Ten) and Ohio State senior Nathaniel Augustson (17-15 overall, 2-6 Big Ten).
NWCA Individual Rankings (1/22)
1. Ryan Churella (MICH)
7. Mike Poeta (ILL)
9. Matt Nagel (MINN)
12. David Erwin (PSU)
17. Jake Donar (WISC)
18. Eric Luedke (IOWA)
19. Will Durkee (NU)
174-Pound Preview
Four of the nation's top-10 wrestlers headline the 174-pound division. Two-All Americans and nine grapplers ranked in the top-20 all have their eyes on the title.
Northwestern sophomore No. 2 Jake Herbert (28-0, 8-0 Big Ten) has looked impressive throughout the Big Ten season, looks to improve on his league runner-up finish of a year ago. Iowa sophomore No. 3 Mark Perry (13-2, 3-0 Big Ten) has his sights set on the title after taking a pair of second-place finishes home at 165 pounds at the Big Ten and NCAA Championships a year ago.
Other competitors include Michigan State senior No. 7 R.J. Boudro (23-5 overall, 6-2 Big Ten), Penn State junior No. 9 James Yonushonis (18-4 overall, 6-1 Big Ten), Michigan junior No. 11 Nick Roy (14-9 overall, 4-4 Big Ten), Minnesota sophomore No.13 Gabriel Dretsch (24-12 overall, 3-5 Big Ten), Illinois junior No. 14 Donny Reynolds (20-7 overall, 4-3 Big Ten), Wisconsin senior No. 16 Kelly Flaherty (9-3 Overall, 1-2 Big Ten) and Ohio State redshirt freshman No. 20 Blake Maurer (14-8 overall, 4-1 Big Ten).
Rounding out the field are Indiana sophomore Marc Bennett (12-14 overall, 2-6 Big Ten) and either Purdue freshman Nick Corpe (16-16 overall, 0-6 Big Ten) or senior Barry Jackson (2-6 overall, 0-2 Big Ten).
NWCA Individual Rankings (1/22)
2. Jake Herbert (NU)
3. Mark Perry (IOWA)
7. R.J. Boudro (MSU)
9. James Yonushonis (PSU)
11. Nick Roy (MICH)
13. Gabriel Dretsch (MINN)
14. Donny Reynolds (ILL)
16. Kelly Flaherty (WISC)
20. Blake Maurer (OSU)
184-Pound Preview
The 184-pound class includes a two-time Big Ten champion , six All-Americans and eight wrestlers ranked among the top 20.
Penn State senior, and two-time defending Big Ten champion, No. 7 Eric Bradley (9-1 overall, 6-0 Big Ten) hopes to make it a trio of titles in 2006. His road will not be easy, as Purdue senior No. 3 Ben Wissel (31-3 overall, 7-1 Big Ten) searches for his first title. Illinois senior No. 6 Pete Friedl (20-3 overall, 6-2 Big Ten), Iowa senior No. 8 Paul Bradley (11-6 overall, 4-4 Big Ten), Minnesota sophomore No. 9 Roger Kish (30-4 overall, 7-1 Big Ten) and Northwestern sophomore No. 10 Mike Tamillow (19-6 overall, 5-3 Big Ten) all look to dethrone Bradley in 2006.
Also challenging for the crown are Michigan freshman No. 18 Tyrel Todd (15-8 overall, 2-2 Big Ten) and Ohio State junior No. 20 Alex Picazo (20-15 overall, 2-5 Big Ten). The remaining field includes Indiana sophomore Justin Curran (20-12 overall, 1-7 Big Ten), Wisconsin junior Matt Maciag (9-8 overall, 1-5 Big Ten) and Michigan State sophomore Joe Williams (8-11 overall, 2-4 Big Ten).
NWCA Individual Rankings (1/22)
3. Ben Wissel (PUR)
6. Pete Friedl (ILL)
7. Eric Bradley (PSU)
8. Paul Bradley (IOWA)
9. Roger Kish (MINN)
10. Mike Tamillow (NU)
18. Tyrel Todd (MICH)
20. Alex Picazo (OSU)
197-Pound Preview
The 197-pound division has no clear favorite, but includes five ranked wrestler hunry for a title.
Defending Big Ten champion Northwestern senior No. 10 Matt Delguyd (25-7 overall, 7-1 Big Ten) will be met with some fierce competition for the 2006 title. The remaining ranked competitors, including Penn State sophomore No. 6 Phillips Davis (17-3 overall, 8-0 Big Ten), Illinois senior No. 8 Tyrone Byrd (23-4 overall, 8-0 Big Ten), Indiana senior No. 12 Brady Richardson (24-6 overall, 4-3 Big Ten) and Purdue junior No. 17 Nathan Moore (29-12 overall, 5-3 Big Ten) are all looking for their first crowns.
The remaining field includes Ohio State freshman James Aston (0-4 overall, 0-4 Big Ten), Michigan State senior Jeff Clemens (14-16 overall, 1-7 Big Ten), Iowa freshman Dan Erekson (13-14 overall, 2-6 Big Ten), Wisconsin sophomore Dallas Herbst (14- overall, 2-6 Big Ten) Minnesota sophomore Mitch Kuhlman (14-13 overall, 3-4 Big Ten) and Michigan freshman Casey White (12-13 overall, 3-3 Big Ten).
NWCA Individual Rankings (1/22)
6. Phillip Davis (PSU)
8. Tyrone Byrd (ILL)
10. Matt Delguyd (NU)
12. Brady Richardson (IND)
17. Nathan Moore (PUR)
Heavyweight Preview
The heavyweight class is includes two of the nation's top three grapplers. Five grapplers are ranked among the top 20 and the division also features the defending Big Ten champion.
Leading the way in the heavyweight division are Minnesota junior No. 1 Cole Konrad (30-0 overall, 8-0 Big Ten) and Michigan senior No. 3 Greg Wagner (22-1 overall, 7-1 Big Ten). Konrad is the defending conference champion, while Wagner finished third in 2005. Rounding out the ranked grapplers are Northwestern sophomore No. 11 Dustin Fox (23-8 overall 5-3 Big Ten), Iowa junior No. 18 Ryan Fuller (10-4 overall, 5-0 Big Ten) and Penn State senior No. 19 Joel Edwards (14-4 overall, 4-3 Big Ten).
Filling the remaining bracket slots are Indiana sophomore Dave Herman (24-12 overall, 3-5 Big Ten), Purdue freshman Aaron Keough (14-23 overall, 0-8 Big Ten), Wisconsin senior Lee Kraemer (5-4 overall, 4-0 Big Ten), Michigan State senior Matt Lossen (12-14 overall, 2-6 Big Ten), Ohio State sophomore Kirk Nail (14-8 overall, 2-5 Big Ten) and Illinois junior Matt Weight (15-13 overall, 2-6 Big Ten).
NWCA Individual Rankings (1/22)
1. Cole Konrad (MINN)
3. Greg Wagner (MICH)
11. Dustin Fox (NU)
18. Ryan Fuller (IOWA)
19. Joel Edwards (PSU)
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