Feb. 2, 2001
The Purdue wrestling team upped its season record to 7-5 and won its first Big Ten match of the season in a 19-15 victory over Wisconsin. The Badgers were ranked 23rd in the nation in the most recent InterMat wrestling poll.
"We were flat in some of our matches, but the guys we needed to come through for us did," head coach Jessie Reyes said. "In addition, it was nice to see guys like Brad Harper and Clovis Crane get wins. It was also nice to see Ryan Lange continue to roll for us."
Ryan Lange picked up his team-high 23rd win of the year with a 13-5 major decision over Ryan Lewis. Lange was very aggressive throughout the match, jumping out to a 6-2 lead in the first period. He finished strong with a 5-1 third period, and rode Lewis out for the final 10 seconds to clinch the major decision. Lange, ranked 15th at 174, also improves to 4-1 in Big Ten matches.
Jared Williams had a tough time with Wisconsin's Ralph DiNisco, losing by major decision 9-1, but fought hard and tried to keep himself in the match. Williams drops to 2-6 on the year.
At 197, Jon Bush came through with another impressive performance, shutting out Wisconsin's Joe Terrill, 5-0. Terrill stayed close with Bush, as the match was scoreless through the first two periods. Bush came close to pinning Terrill in the third period, scoring a quick five points in a series of moves to clinch the win. Bush improves to 15-5 on the year.
Jake Vercelli battled Wisconsin's Justin Staebler into overtime. The two heavyweights refused to budge, as the match was scoreless after one period. Staebler held a 1-0 into the third period, before Vercelli broke a hold, gaining one point. Vercelli won the match in overtime by scoring a takedown. Vercelli, ranked 20th at heavyweight, improves to 15-6 overall, 3-1 in the Big Ten.
After Jason Silverstein lost to Wisconsin's Tony Black, 7-2, Evan Robinson bounced back with an 8-5 victory over Kevin Black. Robinson, ranked ninth at 133, improved to 17-4 on the season, 3-2 in the Big Ten. The match was close throughout, as Robinson held a 6-5 lead late in the third period. He was looking to ride out Black in the waning seconds before securing a takedown, clinching an 8-5 victory.
Paul Sacquitne lost by major decision to Wisconsin's Grant Hoerr, 20-7. Despite losing by major decision, Sacquitne nevertheless kept fighting until the end. The Boilermakers held a 13-11 lead heading into the evening's final three matches.
Brad Harper, who has been consistent throughout the season at 149, defeated Wisconsin's Corey McNellis, 3-2. After a scoreless first period, Harper broke a hold early in the second period, then snatched a quick takedown to take a 3-0 lead. Harper was quick throughout the match, and was powerful in the third period, able to stay on top of McNellis to ride the match out. Harper improves to 13-7, and is 2-1 in the Big Ten.
Clovis Crane was able to clinch the victory for the Boilermakers, defeating Adam Turner 5-3 in the match at 157. Crane led 2-0 in the first period after securing a takedown, gaining advantage time. He built his lead to 5-0, maintaining a strong leg hold for a good portion of the second period. While Turner was able to rebound with three points in the third period, Crane proved to be strong enough to hold on for the victory. He improves to 14-5 overall, 2-0 in the Big Ten.
In the final match of the night, top-ranked Donny Pritzlaff picked up a major decision over Kirk Moore, 19-8. Pritzlaff scored several takedowns and was dominant throughout the match. Moore refused to give in and was able to stay aggressive throughout the match. He drops to 11-8 on the season.
With the win, the Boilermakers improve to 7-5 overall on the season, 1-4 in the Big Ten. It marks their first victory over Wisconsin since an 18-15 win on Jan. 18, 1991 and its first Big Ten victory since a 24-7 victory over Michigan State on Feb. 12, 1999. The team hosts Michigan State tomorrow night at 7 p.m. at the Intercollegiate Athletic Facility.
174 Ryan Lange (PU) maj. dec. Ryan Lewis (UW), 13-5 4-0 184 Ralph DiNisco (UW) maj. dec. Jared Williams (PU), 9-1 4-4 197 Jon Bush (PU) dec. Joe Terrill (UW), 5-0 7-4 Hwt. Jake Vercelli (PU) dec. Justin Staebler, 3-1 OT 10-4 125 Tony Black (UW) dec. Jason Silverstein (PU), 7-2 10-7 133 Evan Robinson (PU) dec. Kevin Black (UW), 8-5 13-7 141 Grant Hoerr (UW) maj. dec. Paul Sacquitne (PU), 20-7 13-11 149 Brad Harper (PU) dec. Corey McNellis (UW), 3-2 16-11 157 Clovis Crane (PU) dec. Adam Turner (UW), 5-3 19-11 165 Donny Pritzlaff (UW) maj. dec. Kirk Moore (PU), 19-8 19-15