February 21, 1999
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The 13th-ranked Purdue wrestling dropped its second straight match on Sunday, as it fell to sixth-ranked Illinois 24-15 in the Intercollegiate Athletic Facility in West Lafayette. With the loss, the Boilermakers drop to 15-6-1 overall (3-4-1 Big Ten), while the Illini improve to 13-2 (7-2 Big Ten). Illinois now leads the overall series with the Boilers 40-28-2.
"I thought our effort was good out there today," Purdue coach Jessie Reyes said. "We showed great improvement from Friday. I was especially pleased with the effort of our seniors."
At the halfway point in the meet, the eight Purdue seniors on this year's squad were honored for their dedication and devotion, not only to the wrestling team, but to their school. Tyler Anderson, James Crnich, Phil Holmgren, Josh Hutchens, Jason Hayes, Marc Tompkins, David Pierce and Willie Wineberg each made their final appearance in the IAF.
The dual began at 141 pounds, where Illinois' 6th-ranked and returning All-American Carl Perry defeated Jason Hayes, 7-2.
After suffering his first loss in 18 matches on Friday, Willie Wineberg started a new streak, as the Fairfield, Ohio, native pinned 15th-ranked Griff Powell with 12 seconds left in the match. Down 1-0 entering the third period, Wineberg started down and pursued to put the freshman on his back scoring reversal points, before scoring the pin at the 7:48 mark at 157 pounds. With the win, Winberg improves to 18-1 overall (5-1 Big Ten.)
After an Illini pin at 165 pounds, captain James Crnich, ranked 19th, defeated Ben King 4-0 to earn his 25th win of the season at 174 pounds.
Illinois then proceeded to win the next three matches, two by major decisions, to make the score 24-9 with just two matches remaining.
Returning to the top of the lineup in a classic battle at 125 pounds, 12th-ranked Jason Silverstein disposed of 16th-ranked Steve Doerrer 10-6 to cut the margin in half at 24-12.
In the last match of the afternoon, Josh Hutchens, subbing for the injured Evan Robinson, who sustained a knee injury in his match against Minnesota on Friday, defeated Dave Stoltz 2-0 to make the final score 24-15.
"Jason and Josh both wrestled great matches," Reyes said. "They each showed first class effort. "
Next up for the Boilers will be the Big Ten Championships on March 6-7 at Michigan.
FINAL: ILLINOIS 24, PURDUE 15
125 Silverstein (PU) dec. Doerrer; 10-6
133 Hutchens (PU) dec. Stoltz; 2-0
141 Perry (ILL) dec. Hayes; 7-2
149 Tirapelle (ILL) major dec. Kerkhof; 10-2
157 Wineberg (PU) pin Powell; 7:48
165 Zeman (ILL) pin Rendell; 1:52
174 Crnich (PU) dec. King; 4-0
184 Patrick (ILL) major dec. Colegrove; 12-3
197 Quirk (ILL) dec. Williams; 13-6
Hwt.Roesler (ILL) major dec. Vercelli; 10-2