Northwestern Knocks Off Eastern Illinois, Wisconsin-Parkside in Home-Opener

Dec. 14, 2002

EVANSTON, Ill. - Northwestern opened its dual competition with a pair of wins against Wisconsin-Parkside and Eastern Illinois on Saturday at Welsh-Ryan Arena. The Wildcats dropped the Rangers 28-21 and edged the Panthers 21-20.

Senior Brendan Curran (Chicago, Ill./Mt. Carmel) led the 'Cats at 184 pounds, pinning both of his opponents. His second pin came against the Panthers' Josh Lepper, helping NU to victory. Freshman Matt Delguyd (Mayfield, Ohio/Mayfield) secured the win with his 11-2 victory against Nick Metcalf.

John Giacche (Flemington, N.J./Blair Academy) and John Velez (Kings Mills, Ohio/Kings) each picked up a pair of wins on the day. Sophomore Mike Kimberlin (Bradley, Ill./Bishop McNamara) won his first match against Dan Dempsey of Wisconsin-Parkside, but lost a double-overtime decision to Frank DeFilippis of Eastern Illinois.

The Panthers picked up a 40-3 win against the Rangers, who dropped to 0-3 on the season. EIU is 1-2 overall.

Northwestern (2-0) returns to action in the 40th Midlands on Dec. 28-29 at Welsh-Ryan Arena.

Northwestern 28, Wisconsin-Parkside 21

125-John Velez (NU) def. FORFEIT, NU 6-0
133-Tommy Vargas (NU) def. Scott Schramm (UWP), 6-2, NU 9-0
141-John Giacche (NU) def. FORFEIT, NU 15-0
149-Brad Becker (UWP) def. Josh Ballard (NU), Fall 5:13, NU 15-6
157-Mike Kimberlin (NU) def. Dan Dempsey (UWP), 4-3, NU 18-6
165-Fred Joseph (UWP) def. Nolan Walther (NU), 7-2, NU 18-9
174-Jason Erwinski (NU) def. Paul Schlottke (UWP), 13-3, NU 22-9
184-Brendan Curran (NU) def. Luke Griffiths (UWP), Fall 2:40, NU 28-9
197-John Goral (UWP) def. Matt Delguyd (NU), Fall, 28-15
Hwt-Matt Meyer (UWP) def. FORFEIT, NU 28-21

Northwestern 21, Eastern Illinois 20

125-John Velez (NU) def. Dexter Wright (EIU), 13-4, NU 4-0
133-Pat Dowty (EIU) def. Tommy Vargas (NU), 5-2, NU 4-3
141-John Giacche (NU) def. Jerod Bruner (EIU), 16-5, NU 8-3
149-Andy Coyle (EIU) def. Josh Ballard (NU), 4-0, NU 8-6
157-Frank DeFilippis (EIU) def. Mike Kimberlin (NU), 2-1 (2OT), EIU 9-8
165-Matt Veach (EIU) def. Nolan Walther (NU), TF 22-6, EIU 14-8
174-Jason Erwinski (NU) def. Clay French (EIU), 7-4, EIU 14-11
184-Brendan Curran (NU) def. Josh Lepper (EIU), Fall 1:41, NU 17-14
197-Matt Delguyd (NU) def. Nick Metcalf (EIU), 11-2, NU 21-14
Hwt-Pete Ziminski (EIU) def. FORFEIT, NU 21-20

Eastern Illinois 40, Wisconsin-Parkside 3

125-Dexter Wright (EIU) def. FORFEIT, EIU 6-0
133-Pat Dowty (EIU) def. Scott Schramm (UWP), Fall 1:50, EIU 12-0
141-Jerod Bruner (EIU) def. FORFEIT, EIU 18-0
149-Andy Coyle (EIU) def. Brad Becker (UWP), TF 17-1, EIU 23-0
157-Frank DeFilippis (EIU) def. Dan Dempsey (UWP), 17-8, EIU 27-0
165-Matt Veach (EIU) def. Fred Joseph (UWP), 16-6, EIU 31-0
174-Clay French (EIU) def. Luke Griffiths (UWP), 3-1, EIU 34-0
184-Josh Lepper (EIU) def. Paul Schlottke (UWP), 12-6, EIU 37-0
197-John Goral (UWP) def. Nick Metcalf (EIU), 8-1, EIU 37-3
Hwt-Pete Ziminski (EIU) def. Matt Meyer (UWP), 6-2, EIU 40-3