Nothing Settled: Michigan and Illinois Battle to 17-17 Tie
Each Team Wins Five Matches in Key Big Ten Clash; Bertin Defeats Tirapelle in Marquee Match
By Dominic Adams – Staff Writer
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ANN ARBOR, Mich. ” The No. 6-ranked University of Michigan wrestling team split 10 individual matches against No. 4 Illinois as the two teams battled to a 17-17 tie to remain undefeated in Big Ten Conference action Sunday in front of 1,551 fans at Cliff Keen Arena. It marks the first U-M tie in four seasons as well as the first tie in the series history between the two programs.
“We knew coming into the dual that every match was important,” said Illinois’ fifth-ranked 184 pounder Brian Glynn.
Glynn beat Michigan’s Joshua Weitzel 10-2 at 184-pounds. It was his major decision that tied the match 14-14.
“These two teams match up real well,” Glynn said. “We’re a little disappointed, but we’ll take the tie.”
The match started at 125 pounds where the Illini’s No. 2 Kyle Ott made quick work of Michigan’s Jim Shutich. Ott picked up the 14-5 major decision to give Illinois a 4-0 lead.
The match at 133-pounds pitted two former high school teammates against each other when Illinois’ No. 4 Mark Jayne took on Michigan’s No. 17 Mark Moos. Both attended Ohio’s St. Edwards High School.
Jayne controlled the match and won 5-2.
“It was a fun match that I didn’t take too seriously,” Jayne said, talking about the chance to face his former high school teammate and friend. “We knew Michigan was a real good team.”
Michigan’s No. 5 Josh Churella and No. 5 Eric Tannenbaum both won their matches. Illinois led by a 7-6 margin heading into the most anticipated match of the night.
The Fighting Illini’s No. 3 Alex Tirapelle was pitted against Michigan’s No. 2 Ryan Bertin. Bertin won the last meeting 3-1 to finish third at the 2004 National Championship, but Tirapelle defeated Bertin to win the Big Ten title.
A quick takedown gave Bertin a 2-0 lead, but Tirapelle quickly escaped to make the score 2-1. After choosing down to start the second period, Bertin escaped to take a 3-1 lead. Tirapelle scored an early escape in the third period, but would not convert a late scramble into a takedown, losing 3-2.
“That was a great college wrestling match,” said Illinois coach Mark Johnson. “We knew all along the match at 157 pounds was going to be crucial. That was two good wrestlers going at it until the end.”
With the 3-2 decision, Bertin gave the Wolverines’ their first advantage in the dual meet and took the 4-3 lead in the all-time series with his conference rival.
“I knew that if I went out and got a takedown early it would take a lot of the pressure off of me,” Bertin said. “It gives you a little better feeling when you beat a guy like that. But it doesn’t really mean anything until Big 10’s and nationals. “
Johnson said the match was the key to the dual meet.
“It was a critical match,” he said. “Alex had a chance to get a takedown at the end and he didn’t get it.”
“These two guys know each other so well and there is so much more strategy involved,” said Michigan coach Joe McFarland. “Ryan continued to keep the pressure on, and the match was more important match for rankings and seedings.”
The Wolverines would get a big win from No. 2 Ryan Churella at 165 pounds, who won by technical fall against Illinois’ backup Anthony Castillo 17-1. Castillo wrestled because starter No. 10 Donny Reynolds has not wrestled since the Finals at the National Duals.
Churella put Castillo to his back late, in what the crowd thought was a pin.
“I thought I was going to wrestle Donny,” Churella said. “From what I hear everyone thought it was a pin.”
Illinois coach Mark Johnson said Reynolds should be recovered from his ankle injury, and will wrestle Feb. 11 against Penn State.
“It’s what’s best for the kid,” Johnson said. “Everybody’s beat up this time of year.”
Illinois would win the next three matches to take a 17-14 lead heading into the heavyweight match between Michigan’s No. 3 Greg Wagner and Illinois’ Mike Behnke.
Wagner controlled the match for the 6-2 win.
“It was a great dual meet, unfortunately it had to end the way it did,” McFarland said. “I thought we were in a position to put ourselves in the driver’s seat in the Big Ten.”
Michigan hosts Ohio State Feb. 11 and Illinois hosts Penn State the same day.
The Wolverines toughest conference dual remaining will be at Iowa Feb. 13 and at Michigan State Feb. 18, while the Fighting Illini will wrestle at Minnesota Feb. 20.
“This is just a piece of the puzzle,” McFarland said. “We have to continue to make improvements from individual to individual.”
Regardless of the tie both teams have shown they can contend for the Big Ten title just over three weeks away in Iowa City, March 5-6.
“I think it will be us and Michigan at the Big 10’s,” Glynn said. “It looks like we’ll be battling for the Big 10 (Championship).”
Michigan, 17 vs. Illinois, 17
125 — Kyle Ott (UI) major dec. Jim Shutich, 14-5
133 — Mark Jayne (UI) dec. Mark Moos, 5-2
141 — Josh Churella (U-M) dec. Casio Perro, 7-2
149 — Eric Tannenbaum (U-M) dec. Anton Dietzen, 5-2
157 — Ryan Bertin (U-M) dec. Alex Tirapelle, 3-2
165 — Ryan Churella (U-M) tech. fall Anthony Castillo, 17-1 (6:30)
174 — Pete Friedl (UI) dec. Nick Roy, 6-3
184 — Brian Glynn (UI) major dec. Joshua Weitzel, 10-2
197 — Tyrone Byrd (UI) dec. Willie Breyer, 4-2
Hwt — Greg Wagner (U-M) dec. Mark Behnke, 6-2
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