Looking to pin a perfect mark

In the last six years, two University of Illinois wrestlers have won NCAA titles en route to undefeated seasons. Sophomore Alex Tirapelle (31-0) has a shot to join Matt Lackey (2002-03) and Eric Siebert (1997-98) as the Illini’s only unbeaten NCAA champs. Tirapelle, of Clovis, Calif., is the top seed at 157 pounds in the tournament, beginning Thursday in St. Louis. Last year, Tirapelle finished second to Michigan’s Ryan Bertin. “It was a great accomplishment but it was bittersweet coming so close,” said Tirapelle, 2-0 vs. Bertin this season. Among the eight Illini wrestlers in the NCAA tournament are Sandburg High’s Pete Friedl, Providence’s Brian Glynn, York’s Anton Dietzen and Sandwich’s Ben Hay.