Moline's Musings

Paswall, Kotowski Leave Wrestling Team

Posted by: Brian Moline

Tuesday, January 27, 2009 11:44 AM

Ben Taylor with Illinois Sports Information confirmed this morning that sophomores Grant Paswall and Joey Kotowski are no longer on the Illinois wrestling team.  Paswall started a season ago at 149 pounds as a true freshman, compiling a 19-11 record.  Paswall wrestled at 157 pounds early this season while senior Mike Poeta was recovering from offseason knee surgery.  Paswall was 5-6 this season, but hadn't wrestled since the Illini's dual meets against Findlay and McKendree on December 13.  Paswall was slated to wrestle at the Midlands Championships in the 149 pound weight class in late December, but failed to make weight and did not compete.

Kotowski had yet to wrestle in this, his redshirt sophomore season.  His last match as an Illini came last year in the dual meet against Iowa on February 24.  He lost to eventual national champion Brent Metcalf in an 18-3 technical fall.  Kotowski compiled a 2-4 record last season, including a 2-2 mark at the Midlands Championships.

Taylor said Paswall is no longer with the team because he violated team rules, while Kotowski left the the team by his choice.

True freshman Eric Terrazas is now competing at the 149 pound weight class for the Illini, after the season-ending shoulder injury to Troy Tirapelle and the departures of Paswall and Kotowski.  Terrazas is 12-10 so far this season.  The other wrestlers listed on the Illini's website at 149 pounds are redshirt sophomore Adam Domanico, junior Drake Rossi and true freshman Reece Taylor.  Taylor is taking his redshirt season this year and has compiled a 7-3 record in tournaments, while Domanico and Rossi have yet to see competition this year.  Rossi is a transfer from Army, who is a Frankfort, Illinois native.

Last week in an interview, Mark Johnson indicated that Terrazas was in the lineup because of Tirapelle's injury and because another wrestler (or wrestlers) was no longer with the team.

The Illini next compete this Friday in a dual meet at Purdue.  The start time is 6:00 central time, and it can be seen live on the Big Ten Network.

bmoline@wdws.com

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