Big Ten Championships Game Notes in PDF Format
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March 1, 2005
EVANSTON, Ill. - With a combination of experienced veterans and young, proven talent, 18th-ranked Northwestern (9-6, 2-6 Big Ten) is primed for the Big Ten Championships this weekend, set for March 5-6 at the University of Iowa in Iowa City.
Last year, four NU wrestlers -- Matt Delguyd, Nick Hayes, Mike Kimberlin and John Velez -- qualified for the NCAA Championships with impressive performances at the Conference Championships. It was the most NCAA representatives for the Wildcats since 2000.
This year's Championships will feature eight seeded 'Cats -- the highest being Jake Herbert's (Wexford, Pa./North Allegheny) No. 2 nod at 174 lbs. Herbert and his teammates will know their opponents on Friday, March 4 when brackets are announced.
Nick Hayes had received the No. 7 seed at 165 lbs., but has since been forced to withdraw due to injury. Greg Hagel has taken Hayes' spot at the 165-lb. slot.
In 2004, then-sophomore Delguyd posted the best finish for the 'Cats, claiming fourth at 197 lbs. after coming in seeded eighth. As a whole, Northwestern had 33.5 points to end up in 11th place.
2005 Big Ten Championships Schedule
Session 1 - Saturday, March 5 @ 11 a.m.
Session 2 - Saturday, March 5 @ 6 p.m.
Session 3 - Sunday, March 6 @ noon
A preview of the Wildcats by weight class follows:
125 lbs. -- John Velez (Kings Mills, Ohio/Kings), R-S Junior, 14-2 overall, 5-1 Big Ten: Despite seeing limited action because of a shoulder injury, Velez finished the regular season strong with three-straight conference wins, including a victory over second-ranked Kyle Ott from Illinois. Velez won the Beast of the East Invitational and started the season 9-0 before dropping his first match at the Midlands. Velez is ranked ninth by InterMat and enters the Big Ten Championships seeded fourth.
133 lbs. -- Daniel Quintela (St. Paul, Minn./Highland Park) Junior, 15-13 overall, 1-6 Big Ten: Quintela posted two fifth-place finishes this year after going 5-2 at the Michigan State Open and 4-2 at the Beast of the East Invitational. He also went 2-2 at the Midlands and put up a 3-1 mark in nonconference duals.
141 lbs. -- Ryan Lang (North Royalton, Ohio/St. Edward's), R-S Freshman, 23-6 overall, 4-2 Big Ten: Lang is one of three freshmen to reach the 20-wins plateau this year. He won the Beast of the East Invitational and took second at the Michigan State Open. Lang--ranked 13th by InterMat--is tied with Herbert for most wins by fall with six. Lang enters the Big Ten Championships seeded sixth.
149 lbs. -- Jimmy Kim (East Peoria, Ill./East Peoria Community), Junior, 5-11 overall, 0-5 Big Ten: Kim went 1-2 at the Michigan State Open and 2-2 at Beast of the East Invitational, pinning his opponent in 2:12 in his opening match. He recorded one major decision victory and one pin.
157 lbs. -- Mike Kimberlin (Bradley, Ill./Bishop Martin McNamara), Senior, 22-9 overall, 3-5 Big Ten: After finishing seventh at last year's Championships, Kimberlin is the only senior competing this year for the Wildcats. He brings a wealth of experience and 81-career wins to the table. He took first place at the Beast of the East Invitational, third at the Michigan State Open and leads the team with nine major decision victories. Kimberlin enters the Big Ten Championships seeded eighth.
165 lbs. -- Greg Hagel (Linwood, N.J./Blair Academy), Freshman, 10-9 overall, 0-3 Big Ten: Hagel competed exclusively at 149 lbs. this year, but has bumped up to 165 lbs. with an injury to Nick Hayes. Hagel was one of six 'Cats to go a perfect 4-0 at the Beast of the East Invitational, claiming first place. He posted a 3-2 mark at the Michigan State Open and went 3-2 in nonconference duals, as well.
174 lbs. -- Jake Herbert (Wexford, Pa./North Allegheny), R-S Freshman, 23-1 overall, 7-1 Big Ten: Herbert's young career got off to a legendary start, as he won his first 22 matches, while claiming titles at the Beast of the East and Midlands. Herbert recorded four major decision victories and two technical falls. He is tied with Lang for most wins by fall with six and boasts a team-best No. 4 ranking by InterMat. He enters the Big Ten Championships seeded second, behind only Pete Friedl of Illinois. Herbert is 1-1 against Friedl this year.
184 lbs. -- Mike Tamillow (Oak Park, Ill./Fenwick), Freshman, 22-10 overall, 4-4 Big Ten: Tamillow took first at the Beast of the East Invitational, fourth at the Michigan State open and sixth at the Midlands. Recorded an upset over then-fifth-ranked Paul Bradley of Iowa (1/29). Tamillow is ranked 17th by InterMat and enters the Big Ten Championships tied with Roger Kish of Minnesota as the No. 6 seed. The two have not wrestled each other this year. Tamillow earned a 13-5 major decision over the Golden Gophers' Jeremy Larson on Feb. 4.
197 lbs. -- Matt Delguyd (Mayfield Heights, Ohio/Mayfield), Junior, 25-6 overall, 6-2 Big Ten: For the second-consecutive year, Delguyd leads the 'Cats in wins (25) heading into the postseason. He posted a Wildcat-best fourth-place finish at last year's Championships. Delguyd finished first at the Beast of the East, seventh at the Midlands and went undefeated in nonconference dual action. He put together a 10-match winning streak from November to December and is ranked 13th by InterMat. Delguyd enters the Big Ten Championships seeded third.
Heavyweight -- Dustin Fox (Galion, Ohio/Galion), Freshman, 13-8 overall, 5-2 Big Ten: Fox finished second at the Michigan State Open and fourth at the Beast of the East Invitational. He excelled in the Big Ten by posting a 5-2 mark, solidifying himself as one of the top heavyweights in the country. His biggest win came over then-seventh-ranked Matt Fields in NU's 22-19 win against Iowa (1/29). Fox is ranked 15th by InterMat and enters the Big Ten Championships seeded fourth.
By the Numbers...
3 -- Freshmen to record at least 20 wins this year.
22 -- Streak of wins by Jake Herbert, which spanned a two-and-a-half month period.
18th -- Northwestern team ranking.
6 -- Team-leading number of wins by fall, held by Herbert and Lang.
1974 -- Last time a NU undergraduate won a Midlands Championship before Herbert claimed his title this year.
25 -- Team-leading number of wins by Matt Delguyd.
9 -- Team-leading number of major decision victories by Mike Kimberlin.
6 -- Nationally ranked 'Cats.
8 -- Number of 'Cats seeded in Big Ten Championships.
6 -- Individual Northwestern champions at the Beast of the East Invitational, Dec. 17.
'Cat Tracks
* At the 2004 Midlands Championships, Herbert became NU's first undergraduate wrestler to capture an individual title since 1974.
* Northwestern defeated Iowa for the first time in 37 years Saturday, Jan. 29 by a score of 22-19. The 'Cats battled back from a 19-3 deficit, winning the last five weight classes to complete the comeback.
* Delguyd has a Wildcat-best 25 wins this year.
* Six 'Cats went 4-0 at the Beast of the East Invitational earlier this year, winning individual titles...
Velez, Hagel, Kimberlin, Herbert, Tamillow, Delguyd
* Nine Big Ten teams are currently ranked in the nation's top 25.
Nationally Ranked 'Cats
* No. 4 - Jake Herbert @ 174 lbs.
* No. 13 - Ryan Lang @ 141 lbs.
* No. 9 - John Velez @ 125 lbs.
* No. 15 - Dustin Fox @ Hwt.
* No. 17 - Mike Tamillow @ 184 lbs.
* No. 13 - Matt Delguyd @ 197 lbs.
* No. 18 - Northwestern
* Individual rankings via InterMat