'Cats Improve to 5-0 in Nonconference Action, Defeat NIU 24-18
Saturday, February 4, 2012 ~ Illinois Matmen News
NU wins six bouts, including four with bonus points
EVANSTON, Ill. - No. 19 Northwestern took a break from its Big Ten dual schedule Friday night at and won its eighth match of the year, defeating Northern Illinois, 24-18, at Welsh-Ryan Arena. The Wildcats won six of 10 bouts, including four with bonus points, improving to a perfect 5-0 in nonconference action.
Northwestern jumped out to a commanding 17-3 lead before the break, winning four of the first five bouts. No. 10 Levi Mele got things started for the 'Cats with a 3-0 decision over No. 20 Nick Smith at 125. Mele scored on a third-period reversal and racked up 3:09 of riding time for his 23rd win of the year and fourth over a ranked opponent.
Illini win nine total matches, including five bouts with bonus points
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The sixth-ranked Illinois wrestling team's regular season came to a close on Friday as they hammered Wisconsin, 38-3, tying the highest point total scored this season. . The Illini won nine total matches tonight including five bouts with bonus points, three of them coming by technical fall. With the win, Illinois finishes the 2011-12 season 14-2 overall, the most wins since the 2004-05 season and 6-2 in the Big Ten.
"I thought overall we were pretty aggressive and scored a lot of points," head coach Jim Heffernan. "We've been emphasizing scoring a lot of points this season because at the highest level, you need to be competitive. We're definitely heading in the right direction with the national duals coming up next weekend. Overall, our dual meet season has been positive. We beat some really good teams. Our guys are really making progress and wrestling well."
Lee Munster records fastest fall of the season in 13 seconds
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – Jason Welch and Lee Munster made quick work of their Purdue opponents Sunday and scored key bonus points for Northwestern as the ’Cats hung on for a 21-18 victory over the Boilermakers. Welch and Munster both recorded first-period falls (Munster’s came in 13 seconds, the fastest fall this season for any NU wrestler) while Pat Greco, Pierce Harger and Lee Munster also won their bouts Sunday. With the win, NU improves to 7-4 in dual action and 3-4 in the Big Ten.
"Our guys will not celebrate this win," head coach Drew Pariano said. "We left a few victories out on the mat. Greco stepped up today and I'm proud of him. Welch and Munster were ready to go and it showed with both of them earning first-period falls."
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - For the second time this weekend, the No. 8 Illinois wrestling team won seven of 10 bouts as the Illini defeated Indiana 29-10 at University Gym on Sunday. With the victory, the Illini improved to 13-2 on the season, and 5-2 in the Big Ten. The 13 wins on the season marks the first time since the 2008-09 season.
"Pretty solid performance today," head coach Jim Heffernan said. "We competed hard and were aggressive throughout. Daryl Thomas looked especially good and is our most improved guy this year. Conrad Polz also looked good. We need to continue to focus on getting better individually as the tournament season approaches. I really like the way we are competing but we know there is still time to make improvements."
Futrell 10 pins ties for fifth-most in a season in school history
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The No. 8 Illinois wrestling team won seven of 10 bouts and No. 5 B.J. Futrell added the exclamation point with a pin in 2:32 as the Illini pounded No. 18 Northwestern, 26-10 at Huff Hall. Futrell won his eighth-straight match and recorded his 10th pin of the season, tying for the fifth-most pins in a season in school history. The Illini improved to 12-2 on the season, and 4-2 in the Big Ten.
"It was a big win for us," head coach Jim Heffernan said. "We won the swing matches. I was very impressed with Daryl Thomas', Jordan Blanton and Mario Gonzalez's wins. We were the aggressive team the entire time, we scored points and really hustled."
As the regional tournaments complete, results will be posted on the 
NU wins six bouts, including four with bonus points
Illini win nine total matches, including five bouts with bonus points
Lee Munster records fastest fall of the season in 13 seconds
Illini win seven of ten bouts against Hoosiers
Futrell 10 pins ties for fifth-most in a season in school history
