Alex Tirapelle, the second youngest of the Tirapelle clan, continues to frustrate and put fear in the eyes of his opponents across the nation. In 2003, after finishing seventh in the Big Ten championships, he went on to knock off the defending national champion and number one seed, Luke Becker, in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division I Championships, claiming it as his greatest victory. He ended up placing second, losing only to Ryan Bertin of Michigan.     This year is completely different. Tirapelle is determined to be victorious and  has already recorded upset wins over Bertin, the defending NCAA champion, at the Cliff Keen Invitational in Las Vegas, and two-time U.S. World Team member and former Iowa State NCAA champion, Chris Bono, at the Midlands Championships.      These victories earned him his first and second Big Ten "Wrestler of the Week" awards first on December 10, 2003 and again on January 2, 2004. He is currently undefeated with 28 straight wins, one of only seven undefeated wrestlers in Division I.     Wrestling must be in Alex's blood, or in the genes of the Tirapelle men. He comes from a family of very successful wrestlers.  Since birth, Alex has been around wrestling in some form.  His father, Stephen, has worked with him since he was young, and was also an All-American in division II. Alex says his father influenced his wrestling career the most because he made him wrestle at a young age, and coached him for six years competively since seventh grade.      Stephen has mentored, coached and shaped his son into the athlete he is today; a three-time California state champion, a NCAA All-American, and the first ever freshman NCAA finalist in the history of the University of Illnois.    Before Alex's success began at Illinois, his older brother Adam also wrestled at Illnois, and set a bench mark for success and the Tirapelle name. Adam was a three-time All-American and a NCAA champion at 149 lbs. in 2001. One of Alex's greatest moments was watching his older brother win a national championship.  His younger brother, Troy,  currently a senior in high school, is also poised to keep the tradition alive when he joins Alex at Illnois next season.      "My older brother had as much influence on me to wrestle at Illnois as I have on my younger brother to come here," said Tirapelle.      It must have been very positive for Alex to have his older brother at Illinois. When Alex arrived there he did not have to make many adjustments along the way. With his brother's help, Alex made a smooth transition from high school in California to college in Illinois. Even with Adam's success at Illinois Alex said he feels no pressure from his brother or the rest of his family to win.     "The only pressure I face is to perform my best. I have always put that on myself though," said Tirapelle.     Brooke, the only daughter and second oldest child, did not go to college at Illinois, however, she stayed in California at Long Beach State. Although she did not wrestle, she did excel in her own sports; softball and volleyball.     Despite Alex being in Illnois and the rest of his family being in California currently, Tirapelle still finds time to be stay close with his family.     "I usually talk to my family, especially my brothers and my dad, before matches," said Tirapelle. "Even though they cannot be there physically to watch me wrestle, they offer a lot of support, and help me to calm my nerves before matches."    His family tries to attend as many tournaments and matches as possible. HIs family's presence may have helped him win a rematch with Bertin this year at the Cliff Keen Invitational.      "My dad still helps me as much as he can. However it is hard sometimes because I am used to him being there everyday and while I am here, he can't be," said Tirapelle.     Tirapelle is currently ranked No. 1 in all three wrestling publications, and has his eyes set on winning the NCAA championship at 157 lbs. His goals for the rest of the season are to remain No. 1 ranked, and therefore be in the best position to win the NCAA's. Tirapelle is very confident in his pursuit.      "My greatest strength is my ability to formulate a plan and to strategize how I am going to beat my opponents before I wrestle them," said Tirapelle. "I am very confident before I go out there, and I think that each time I wrestle I will beat whomever my opponent is."    Tirapelle is determined to beat any opponent that stands in his way of him realizing his dream of winning the NCAA championship. His family will be sure to be there to witness it first hand. His parents would love to  put another trophy on the mantle with the last name Tirapelle on it. However, they may need to create more room. Alex has two more years left in college, and if Troy is anything like his two older brothers they may need to build an addition on to their house, possibly a trophy room.