Dergo shines in defeat

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AMES, Iowa – Illinois had a hard time getting started in its final tuneup for the Big Ten wrestling season.

No. 2 Iowa State dominated the Illini 33-9 before 2,812 fans at Hilton Coliseum.

"A lot of weights, we didn't have enough fight," Illinois coach Jim Heffernan said. "A couple of places they were just better than us, but we didn't compete very hard at some of the weights."

John Dergo, ranked second at 184, and sophomore 174-pounder Jordan Blanton won for the Illini, who visit Penn State next.

Dergo's 2-1 win against Jerome Ward brought the Illini within 7-6. But the Cyclones rattled off five consecutive wins before Eric Terrazas won by decision for Illinois at 149.

In men's gymnastics:

Illini claim team title. Paul Ruggeri won the horizontal bar en route to the all-around title Saturday, leading the No. 5 Illinois men's gymnasitcs team to the Windy City Invitational crown.

The Illini, who tallied a score of 353.750, dominated a field that included four other top-10 teams including runner-up Michigan (351.350), ranked fourth.

Yoshi Mori led a top-three sweep for the Illini in the vault. Mori (15.900) edged teammates Ruggeri (15.800) and Tyler Mizoguchi (15.750).

Illinois' Chad Wiest won the floor exercise with a score of 15.650 over teammate Ruggeri (15.550); Daniel Ribeiro (15.300) won the pommel horse over teammate Luke Stannard (15.100); and Craig Padera Jr. won the parallel bars (14.850).

In women's track & field:

Strong start. Aja Evans won the 60 meters in a personal-best 7.63 seconds and Kendall McCaugherty won the high jump with a career-best 1.68 meters for the Illini at Southern Illinois' SASF Invitational

"We had some pretty good marks to open the season, so overall it was a good day," UI coach Tonja Buford-Bailey said.

In women's swimming:

Illini can't complete rally. Freshman Erin Rodriguez won the 200 butterfly and 200 individual medley in personal-best times and CeCe Marizu won the 200 back in the UI's 150.5-149.5 loss at Iowa on Saturday. April McKee (200 breast) and Kelly Smithwick (1,000 free) also swam personal bests.

"After the first eight events, we were down 18 points and were able to close the gap to 13 before taking our only lead of the meet," UI coach Sue Novitsky said. "Each team had to win the last event (400 free relay) to win the meet and we just couldn't quite pull it out."

In women's gymnastics:

Buckley wins twice. Junior Allison Buckley won the all-around and tied for the balance beam title to lead No. 23 Illinois to second place in a triangular meet late Friday night at Lincoln, Neb.

"Allison did well tonight and is really starting to gain confidence," Illini coach Bob Starkell said. "She has begun to lead by example with her work ethic in the gym."

Illinois scored 193.375 points to finish behind third-ranked Nebraska (195.200). No. 20 Minnesota placed third with 192.775 points.

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