March 7, 1999
EVANSTON, Ill. - The 19th-ranked Northwestern wrestling team finished seventh at the Big Ten Championships this weekend in Ann Arbor, Mich. The Wildcats posted a team score of 56.50 in the meet, which was won by Minnesota.
Five Wildcats qualified for the NCAA Championships. Senior All-American Mark Bybee (Chicago, Ill./St. Laurence) was the highest individual finisher for Northwestern, finishing second at 174 pounds. Bybee, ranked sixth nationally, lost a 6-4 OT decision in the championship match. Seniors Dominic Caruso (Brecksville, Ohio/Brecksville) and All-American Scott Schatzman (Chesterfield, Mo./Parkway Central) each finished fourth at 125 and 141 pounds respectively. Both dropped close decisions in the third-place match, with Carusos loss coming in overtime. Senior Sam Neider (Rocky River, Ohio/St. Edward) qualified for his fourth NCAA Championships by finishing fifth at 197 and senior Drew Pariano (Fairview Park, Ohio/Fairview Park) qualified for the third consecutive season, finishing seventh at 165.
The NCAA Wrestling Championships are Thurs.-Sun., Mar. 18-20 at State College, Pa.