Dec. 30, 2005
EVANTSTON, IL – The University of Iowa wrestling team finished the 2005 Midlands Championships in fourth place with 83 points. Illinois repeated as champion in the 43rd annual Midlands Championships held on the campus of Northwestern University in Evanston, IL. The Illini finished with 115.5 points.
Senior Joe Johnston (157) and sophomores Mark Perry (174) and Matt Fields (Hwt.) all wrestled in their respective championships and freshman Daniel Dennis wrestled for fifth place at 133. Johnston faced off against top-seeded Alex Tirapelle of Illinois; Tirapelle defeated Johnston 3-0. Perry also challenged top-seeded Jake Herbert of Northwestern; Herbert came out on top by a score of 5-4. Fields battled second-seeded Les Sigman of Nebraska-Omaha; Sigman took top honors by a score of 9-0. Dennis, Iowa’s lone wrestler left in the consolation bracket, faced off against fourth-seeded Andrae Hernandez of Indiana; Dennis fell 17-2.
The Hawkeyes next face off at home against Oklahoma State on Saturday, January 7th. The meet is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. and is the “Pack The Place” meet, in an attempt to break the attendance record. Fans can order tickets by calling 1-800-IA-HAWKS or online at www.hawkeyesports.com and are $10 apiece.
FINAL STANDINGS (Top 10)
1. Illinois 115.5
2. Central Michigan 112.5
3. Michigan State 99.0
4. Iowa 83.0
5. Iowa State 82.5
6. Northern Illinois 79.0
Northern Iowa 79.0
8. Indiana 66.0
9. Cal State Bakersfield 64.0
10. Northwestern 62.5
IOWA’S FINAL ROUND INDIVIDUAL RESULTS
133 POUNDS
#4 Andrae Hernandez (IU) tech fall #5 Daniel Dennis (I), 17-2, 5:54
157 POUNDS
#1 Alex Tirapelle (Ill) dec. #2 Joe Johnston (I), 3-0
174 POUNDS
#1 Jake Herbert (NW) dec. #2 Mark Perry (I), 5-4
Heavyweight
#2 Les Sigman (UNO) maj. dec. #4 Matt Fields (I), 9-0