March 15, 2001

IOWA CITY, Iowa - Three University of Virginia wrestlers, Joe Alexander (Franklin, N.J./Delsea Regional), Greg Francesca (Union, N.J./Blair Academy) and Jimi Massey (Williamsport, Md./Williamsport), competed in the first round of the 2001 NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships at the Carver-Hawkeye Arena (15,500) on the campus of the University of Iowa. The trio of Virginia wrestlers each suffered an opening round loss in the first session of events.

UVa's Alexander (133 lbs.) dropped a 12-3 major decision bout to Purdue's #8 seeded Evan Robinson. Alexander will now face Princeton's Juan Venturi in the 133 lbs. wrestle-back bracket. The Cavaliers' Francesca (165 lbs.) dropped a very close 7-6 decision to American's Denis Alampiev. Francesca will meet Hofstra's Noel Thompson in the 165 lbs. wrestle-back bracket. Virginia's Massey (184 lbs.) lost a tough 3-1 tie-breaking bout to Boise State's Cash Edwards. Massey will take on Pittsburgh's Dan Stine in the 184 lbs. wrestle-back bracket.

The NCAA Wrestling Championships are schedule to run from March 15-17.

Wgt.	Opponents						Results

133	Evan Robinson (Purdue) def. Joe Alexander (UVa)		MD, 12-3

165	Denis Alampiev (American) def. Greg Francesca (UVa)	7-6

184	Cash Edwards (Boise State) def. Jimi Massey (UVa)	TB, 3-1