University of Minnesota Athletics
GRAPPLERS TO FACE PURDUE AND NORTHWESTERN ON THE ROAD
2/17/1999 12:00:00 AM | Athletics
MEET THE BOILERMAKERS: The 15th-ranked Purdue Boilermakers are 15-4-1 on the year thus far. Last weekend Purdue defeated Michigan State 24-7 Friday night at home and lost to Michigan 27-11 Sunday in Ann Arbor, Mich. The Boilermakers have three wrestlers ranked in the top 20 according to the InterMat publication. Senior Josh Hutchens is ranked No. 14 at 133 pounds, senior Willie Wineberg is ranked No. 6 at 157, senior James Crnich is ranked No. 19 at 174 and senior David Pierce is ranked No. 10 at heavyweight. Last year Minnesota defeated Purdue 28-8 in West Lafayette, Ind., February 22, 1998. Minnesota leads the overall series 37-16-2.
THE NORTHWESTERN WILDCATS: The 18th-ranked Northwestern Wildcats are currently 3-8 and1-5 in the Big Ten Conference. Northwestern lost 36-3 to Iowa Friday night and 21-20 against Penn State Sunday afternoon. Northwestern is led by senior Sam Neider, who is ranked seventh at 197 pounds. Also ranked is junior Scott Schatzman at No. 8 at 141 pounds and senior Mark Bybee ranked No. 4 at 174 pounds. The Golden Gophers defeated Northwestern 32-6 in Evanston, Ill., last year. Minnesota holds a 31-17-1 lead in the overall series dating back to 1929.
