January 24, 2007

Chicago Rallies to Defeat North Central

CHICAGO -- Sophomore heavyweight Tom Nero (Carlisle, Ind./ Sullivan) won by fall in the final match of the evening to give the University of Chicago wrestling team a come-from-behind 24-22 win over North Central College Wednesday night at the Ratner Athletics Center.

Chicago trailed 22-18 heading into the evening's final bout before Nero pinned the Cardinals' Rodney Knowlton just 44 seconds into the contest. The victory improved Nero's overall record to 19-7.

The match featured two nationally-ranked wrestlers, one for each school.

At 133 pounds, sixth-ranked Adam Johnson of North Central notched a major decision over Chicago sophomore Ben Hart (Wood Dale, Ill./ Fenton).

The NCAA Division III's fifth-ranked 165-pounder, Chicago senior Phil Kruzel (Elmhurst, Ill./ Fenwick) raised his record to 19-1 as he defeated the Cardinals' Ben Youel 9-5.

In the evening's second-to-last contest, Chicago senior Drew Marriott (Excelsior Springs, Mo./ Excelsior Springs) defeated Vinny Sapienza 6-3 at 197 pounds.

Competing in its final non-conference dual match of the campaign, Chicago improved its season record to 3-7, while North Central slipped to 8-8.

Chicago 24, North Central 22

125: Joe Norton, North Central won by forfeit
133: Adam Johnson, North Central def. Ben Hart, Chicago 15-2
141: Andrew Bribriesco, Chicago won by forfeit
149: Noah Fitzenreider, North Central won by forfeit
157: Bobby Gingerich, North Central def. Troy Carlson, Chicago 8-3
165: Phil Kruzel, Chicago def. Ben Youel, North Central 9-5
174: Mike Bishof, Chicago won by forfeit
184: Gabe Youel, North Central def. Justin Lucas, Chicago 7-2
197: Drew Marriott, Chicago def. Vinny Sapienza, North Central 6-3
285: Tom Nero, Chicago def. Rodney Knowlton, North Central F (0:44)