Illini wrestlers rally, then settle for tie
By STAFF REPORT
ANN ARBOR, Mich. ” Illinois reeled off three consecutive wins to pull in front, but Michigan’s Greg Wagner defeated Mike Behnke in the heavyweight match, allowing the fifth-ranked Wolverines to tie the second-ranked Illini 17-17 Sunday afternoon in college wrestling.
Michigan (11-3-1, 3-0-1 Big Ten) got a key victory when fourth-ranked Ryan Bertin edged No. 2 Alex Tirapelle 3-2 at 165 pounds in a repeat of the 2003 NCAA final at 157 pounds. A single-leg takedown by Bertin about a minute into the match scored the crucial points. Tirapelle was in on a takedown as the meet ended but couldn’t finish.
Bertin’s victory was one of four in a row for the Wolverines that turned a 7-0 deficit into a 14-7 lead with four matches left.
But Illinois (12-1-1, 3-0-1) responded with decisions by Pete Friedl (174 pounds) and Tyrone Byrd (194) sandwiched around a major decision by Brian Glynn at 184 to take a 17-14 lead.
That put the outcome in the hands of Wagner and Behnke, and the third-ranked Wolverine pulled off a 6-2 win. Wagner scored a takedown late in the first period, then added a clinching takedown in the third period.
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