Wrestlers leave home to face two ranked foes Dan WIlliams Daily Sports Writer The powers that be decided that the Michigan wrestling team would be greeted with various theme music from 'Rocky' as it takes the mat for each home meet. And the introduction has become appropriate, as the team's season thus far has mirrored the plot of the quintessential sports drama in some aspects. The Wolverines, although confronted with the adversity of losing their two top wrestlers to injury, have persevered against highly-ranked opponents that appear to have Michigan at its breaking point. But the next challenge for Michigan may far exceed those presented by Clubber Lane or Ivan Drago. When Michigan faces Illinois in the first of two weekend road meets Friday, it may be more than an uphill battle. It may be a match they can't reasonably expect to win. Included in the Illini's impressive mid-season resume is an undefeated record in dual meets (8-0), an average margin of victory of over 33 points, and eight wrestlers ranked in the top 20 of their respective weight classes. Yet Michigan's concern with Illinois' stats seems to be mild. "I think we're ready for them, we had a really good week of practice," Michigan junior Joe Degain said. "I don't even know what they're ranked. We're not going to let it eat at us either way." Michigan coach Joe McFarland concurred, saying that Michigan gains nothing by preoccupying themselves with the stature of the Illini. "They're one of the best teams in the Big Ten, but I don't think my guys are intimidated easily," McFarland said. "We're not even going to think about losing." The Wolverines could get a big boost if senior Joe Warren re-enters the lineup after being sidelined for four weeks with a knee injury. Warren, who originally thought he'd be back for last week's two meets, is still experiencing some soreness in his knee and is questionable for the weekend. "Joe has been on the mat this week, but we're still taking it day by day," McFarland said. "I'm hoping to have him in the lineup." Warren is confident he can perform as soon as he is allowed to return. "As soon as they tell me I'm okay to go, I'm going to be right back in there," Warren said. "I'm going to win for this team." Michigan's second match of the weekend, a Sunday dual meet with Purdue, will present a unique challenge in itself. The match will take place in a the basketball gym of Carroll High School in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Purdue moved their home meet two hours northeast of West Lafayette to help promote wrestling in the state of Indiana. "It's a good wrestling area," Purdue coach Jessie Reyes said. "We're trying to get the word out there for Purdue wrestling." And good attendance is expected for the first collegiate wrestling match ever to take place in Allen County. "We've had a pretty good presale of tickets," Carroll High School coach Ed Fox said. "We've got quite a few wrestling schools. They've never had a chance to watch a college match in this area." However, the new location may add to the challenge for Michigan sophomore Charles Martelli. At the 174-pound weight class, Martelli will likely wrestle Purdue's John Fitch, a Carroll High alumni, in front of a large crowd of his friends and family. Martelli isn't fretting about the unusual task. "It gets me more excited to wrestle and beat him on his home turf," Martelli said. "It just puts more pressure on him." Originally on page 11A in the 1-27-2000 issue of the Daily.