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Jan. 31, 2003
EVANSTON, Ill. -
Northwestern (5-6, 0-2 Big Ten) continues its string of dual matches against ranked conference opponents Saturday at No. 8 Michigan. Match time is set for 7 p.m.at Cliff Keen Arena.
The 'Cats, which fell to No. 17 Michigan State and No. 18 Wisconsin last weekend to open up conference competition, have dropped five straight. Despite the team's struggles, Jason Erwinski (Tinley Park, Ill./Mt. Carmel) has been on a hot streak, winning seven of his last nine matches. Last weekend, the senior made the switch to 165 pounds, one weight class below his usual wrestling weight. Erwinksi didn't miss a beat, defeating the Spartans' Arsen Aleksanyan and the Badgers' Adam Turner.
Michigan (6-4) opened Big Ten play last weekend with a 19-13 upset win at then-No. 7 Illinois. The Wolverines trailed 13-10 heading into the final three weights, but reeled off three straight wins to upend the Illini. UM is led by Foley Dowd and A.J. Grant. Dowd, ranked No. 7, is 19-3 at 133 pounds, and Grant, ranked No. 5, is 22-5 at 125 pounds. Freshman Greg Wagner has given the Wolverines stability in the upper weight classes, posting a 19-8 mark at heavyweight.
NU freshman Matt Delguyd (Mayfield, Ohio/Mayfield) has wasted little time adjusting to the college ranks, running his record to 19-13 at 197 pounds. His 19 wins are the most in the nation for freshman in his weight class. Mike Kimberlin (Bradley, Ill./Bishop McNamara) is 23-10, which is tied for the fifth most wins in the nation at 157 pounds. Kimberlin is just four off the pace set by Virginia's Tim Foley.
NU and UM last met in Evanston in 2001, with the Wolverines coming out on top 36-7. Michigan leads the all-time series 64-6-2. Northwestern's last win in the series was in the 1994 when NU prevailed 25-15.