Feb. 7, 2002
Evanston, Ill. - When Northwestern wrestling (7-9, 0-4) takes to the mat next, it will do so against the very best. Minnesota (14-0, 3-0) is the reigning national champion and has held the Intermat Wrestling No. 1 ranking throughout the 2001-02 season. Friday, the Gophers will be in Welsh-Ryan Arena for a 7 p.m. dual against the 'Cats.
The 'Cats are still looking for their first Big Ten victory this season. Last Friday, they fell to Penn State, 25-15, at home.
NU's bright spots recently have been junior John Giacche (Flemington, N.J./Flemington) at 141 pounds and Ryan Kane (Temecula, Calif./Temecula Valley) at 165 pounds. The 16th-ranked Giacche will put a nine-match win steak on the line Friday when he faces eighth-ranked Chad Erickson. A win against Erickson would be Giacche's second over a ranked opponent this season, and it would keep him undefeated in the Big Ten at 5-0 with three conference duals left.
Kane is 3-1 in Big Ten action and along with Giacche has a team-high 24 wins. Kane will face 12th-ranked John Hardy, who is 4-3 in dual competition.
For the Gophers, all 10 starters are ranked in the Top 15 nationally, including Ryan Lewis who holds the top spot at 133 pounds.
Minnesota's toughest test this season came last weekend against No. 2 Iowa. The Gophers defeated the Hawkeyes, 22-15, in front of a record-setting crowd of 15,646 at the Target Center in Minneapolis. The previous mark of 15,291 was set in 1992 at Iowa's Carver-Hawkeye Arena for an intrastate dual between the Hawkeyes and Iowa State.
NU will be on the road next week, but returns home for its final home dual Sunday, Feb. 24, against Indiana.