Indiana University Athletics
DeGain Advances to Title Bout
3/5/2005 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Big Ten Results
IOWA CITY, Iowa - The Indiana University wrestling team ended the first day of competition on March 5 in a fourth-place tie with the host, Iowa, in the 2005 Big Ten Championships held at the Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa. Both squads tallied 75 points in the initial day of action as well as advanced one wrestler each to the final-day championship bouts and seven teammates into consolation bouts. Illinois is in first place with 114.5 points, while Minnesota is second with 95.5 points and Michigan is third with 95.0 points. Should the Cream and Crimson hold on to fourth place, it would be the best finish for the Hoosiers since claiming the runner-up spot in 1990 with 108.75 points.
In the heavyweight class, senior Pat DeGain provided the most productive outing of the second session for the Hoosiers as he moved into the championship bout against No. 1-seed Cole Konrad of Minnesota. In his semifinal match, DeGain pinned No.2-seed Greg Wagner of Michigan at 7:27 in the contest to advance in the championship bracket. With a victory tomorrow, DeGain would become the first Big Ten titlist for IU since Roger Chandler claimed the 142-pound crown in 1997. Remarkably, a victory in the championship match would also mark the first time since Charley McDaniel reigned over the heavies in 1938 that IU would boast a heavyweight Big Ten champion.
In the 125-pound weight division, junior Joe Dubuque suffered a 3-2 loss to No. 2-seed Nick Simmons of Michigan State to fall into the consolation bracket for a battle with Northwestern's John Velez in Sunday's final session. With the loss, Dubuque dropped to 22-3 on the season.
In the 141-pound weight class, senior Mike Simpson fell, 6-1, to No. 1-seed Josh Churella of Michigan to move into the consolation bracket for a bout with Illinois' Cassio Pero. After the defeat, Simpson's record dropped to 25-8 this season.
In the 149-pound division, sophomore Isaac Knable scored his second upset triumph of the day with a 12-3 major decision over No. 3-seed Doug Withstandey of Purdue in a consolation match to set up a tilt with Michigan State's Darren McKnight. McKnight fell to No. 1-seed Eric Tannenbaum of Michigan in his second-session contest.
In the 157-pound class, redshirt freshman Brandon Becker took an 11-4 decision loss to No. 1-seed Ryan Bertin of Michigan. The loss dropped Becker to 26-10 this season and into a consolation bracket battle with No. 7-seed C.P. Schlatter of Minnesota.
In the 165-pound division, redshirt freshman Max Dean picked up a pair of conquests in the consolation bracket for the Hoosiers. In his first bout, Dean dominated Northwestern's Greg Hagel, 10-5, before rolling over No. 7-seed John DeCeault of Purdue, 4-1. The two triumphs advanced Dean into a tilt with No. 4-seed Jake Donar of Wisconsin on Sunday. Additionally, Dean improved to 23-12 with the victories.
In the 174-pound class, junior Brady Richardson suffered a 6-2 loss to No. 1-seed Pete Friedl of Illinois to set up a match with No. 6-seed Kelly Flaherty of Wisconsin in Sunday's consolation action. With the loss, Richardson fell to 21-6 on the season.
In the 184-pound division, junior Andy Rios took a 14-8 loss to No. 5-seed Paul Bradley of Iowa to drop into a bout with Michigan's Josh Weitzel for seventh place in the consolation bracket. The defeat dropped Rios to 24-15 on the season.
In the 197-pound class, sophomore Josh Buuck exited the tournament with an 8-4 loss to No. 7-seed Ryan Flaherty of Wisconsin in consolation action. Buuck fell to 19-15 on the season with the defeat.
The 2005 Big Ten Championships will conclude tomorrow with the third session at noon CDT in the Carver-Hawkeye Arena in Iowa City, Iowa.
TEAM STANDINGS (AFTER SESSION II)
Pl. Team Score (Finalists/Consolation)
1. Illinois 114.5 (5/4)
2. Minnesota 95.5 (2/8)
3. Michigan 95.0 (4/4)
4. Indiana 75.0 (1/7)
Iowa 75.0 (1/7)
6. Wisconsin 65.0 (1/7)
7. Michigan State 58.5 (2/4)
8. Northwestern 56.5 (2/3)
Penn State 56.5 (1/8)
10. Purdue 33.5 (0/6)
11. Ohio State 26.5 (1/2)
SEMIFINAL RESULTS
125 Nick Simmons (Michigan State) dec. Joe Dubuque (Indiana), 3-2
141 Josh Churella (Michigan) dec. Mike Simpson (Indiana), 6-1
157 Ryan Bertin (Michigan) dec. Brandon Becker (Indiana), 11-4
174 Pete Friedl (Illinois) dec. Brady Richardson (Indiana), 6-2
HWT Pat DeGain (Indiana) pinned Greg Wagner (Michigan), 7:27, SV1
CONSOLATION RESULTS
149 Isaac Knable (Indiana) major dec. Doug Withstandey (Purdue), 12-3
165 Max Dean (Indiana) dec. Greg Nagel (Northwestern), 10-5
165 Max Dean (Indiana) dec. John DeCeault (Purdue), 4-1
184 Paul Bradley (Iowa) dec. Andy Rios (Indiana), 14-8
197 Ryan Flaherty (Wisconsin) dec. Josh Buuck (Indiana), 8-4
