Northwestern
Eastern Illinois
'Cats Roll Over Eastern Illinois, 41-3
1/15/2005 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
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Jan. 15, 2005
EVANSTON, Ill. - No. 21 Northwestern wrestling ended its nonconference schedule with its most decisive showing of the season, downing Eastern Illinois 41-3 on Saturday night in Patten Gymnasium to improve its perfect record to 7-0.
The victory continued the 'Cats best start in the Tim Cysewski era, and gives the 'Cats their best start since 1986-87, when they started 7-0 and ended with a 15-2-1 record.
"With an intrastate rivalry you always have to be on your toes," Northwestern Head Coach Tim Cysewski said. "We have a big week next week as the Big Ten schedule starts, and it was important for us to be at a high level in this match."
The dual started with the 184 lb. match, and 15th-ranked Mike Tamillow started Northwestern off on the right foot with a 9-4 decision against Eastern Illinois' Greg Perz. Tamillow's victory was followed by a major decision from the 'Cats other 15th-ranked wrestler in his weight class, Matt Delguyd.
Eastern Illinois then won its only match of the night, as heavyweight Peter Ziminski earned a 4-1 decision over the Wildcats' Scott Johnson.
Following two forfeits by Eastern Illinois, Northwestern's Ryan Lang, ranked 16th at 141 lbs, dominated Dexter Johnson and concluded his stellar match by recording a pin at 3:25.
"I just love performing," Lang said. "Before the match I cleared my head and just performed."
The 'Cats continued piling up the wins, as Jimmy Kim (149) and Mike Kimberlin (157) both won their respective matches.
Sophomore Nick Hayes then earned the Wildcats' second pin of the night at 165, setting the table for the marquee matchup of the night between two ranked opponents.
Northwestern's fourth-ranked Jake Herbert lived up to his ranking, overcoming Eastern Illinois' 19th-ranked Kenny Robertson by a 5-4 decision in the hard-fought match at 174 lbs. Herbert was fueled on by the crowd, who continuously chanted his name throughout the match and boosted his morale.
"The following helps a lot," Herbert said. "When the crowd got into it I somehow found more energy that may not have been there if it were not for them."
The 'Cats next match will take them to Bloomington, Indiana, where they will square off against the 19th-ranked Indiana Hoosiers on January 21.
"Looking ahead to Indiana and Purdue, they are both wrestling very well," Cysewski said.
Players Mentioned
