May 2, 2006

EVANSTON, Ill. -- Highlighted by a first-place finish and an Outstanding Wrestler selection from two-time All-American Jake Herbert (Wexford, Pa./North Allegheny), Northwestern had three wrestlers place at the University Nationals last weekend at Welsh-Ryan Arena. Sophomore Mike Tamillow (Oak Park, Ill./Fenwick) placed in both the freestyle and Greco-roman styles, while Nick Hayes (Council Bluffs, Iowa/Lewis Central) finished seventh in his weight class in Greco-roman.

Herbert, the reigning NCAA runner-up at 174 lbs., went 5-0 at the tournament, winning the freestyle 185-pound weight class. With the title, Herbert automatically qualifies to represent the United States at the University World Championships. Herbert began the tournament by taking a win over Stanford's Ray Blake in the first round.

Two matches later Herbert beat Minnesota Storm's Gabriel Dretsch - a 2006 NCAA qualifier at 174 lbs. - to advance to the quarterfinals.

There, he topped The A-TEAM wrestling club's Christian Sinnot, who qualified for the 2006 NCAA Championships at 184 lbs.

After beating Purdue's Ben Wissel -- who placed seventh at 184 lbs. at nationals - in the semifinals, Herbert faced the 2006 NCAA runner-up at 184 lbs., Roger Kish in the title bout.

Herbert handled Kish with little trouble and walked off with the 4-0, 5-1 win.

"Herbert proved that if he decides to move up in weight next season, he is poised to win the NCAA title," assistant coach Andrew Pariano said. "His weight class at University Nationals was the deepest in the aspect of quality competitors. Jake deserved the Outstanding Wrestler award."

Tamillow, who made his first trip to the NCAA Championships in 2006, had an impressive tournament as he placed second in the freestyle competition and fourth in Greco-roman. With his second-place finish in freestyle, Tamillow qualified for the 2006 Senior World Team Trials.

In freestyle, Tamillow received a bye in the first two rounds before winning three-straight matches by a combined score of 27-3.

In the final round, Tamillow fell to Ohio International's J.D. Bergman 3-1, 3-0 to claim second place.

"Going into the weekend, we planned on Mike qualifying for the Senior World Team Trials," Pariano said. "His technique has vastly improved as of late and we want him to carry that with him to the trials."

In Greco-roman, Tamillow received a first-round bye before beating Marshall Marquardt of the Viking Wrestling Club.

Tamillow fell in his quarterfinal match with Bronco Wrestling Club's David Walker, but rallied with three-straight wins in the wrestleback bracket to advance to the consolation championship. There, he fell to Walker again to take fourth place.

After taking a redshirt season in 2005-06, Hayes got back on the mat in during last weekend's tournament in the Greco-roman style competition.

Hayes dropped his first match of the tournament, but mounted an impressive comeback with three-consecutive wins to advance to the wrestleback quarterfinals.

There, he fell to USOEC's Adam Haake 5-1, 0-4, 4-0, but placed seventh by beating Titan Wrestling Club's Ian Murphy in his final match.

"This was the largest University Nationals/FILA Cadet tournament on record," Pariano said. "USA Wrestling did a great job of running the event and we are elated that we continue to serve as the host school for the tournament."