No. 24 Illinois notches a pair of wins in tri-meet over No. 7 Ohio State, No. 21 Wisconsin
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by Illinois Athletics
Illinois heavyweight Luke Luffman celebrates a big win. Photo courtesy of FightingIllini.com
CHAMPAIGN, Ill – Illinois picked up two wins in Sunday's tri-meet at State Farm Center, defeating No. 8 Ohio State, 18-15, and Wisconsin, 21-9. Several key match wins helped the Illini secure both victories, including two-win days for multiple Illini wrestlers. The Illini are now 3-0 on the season following the two victories.
"Two great wins today," said Illinois head coach Jim Heffernan. "Luffman, Wroblewski and Byrd were outstanding. Pucino ended up being a last minute starter due to an injury and wrestled lights out. Really proud of our effort across the board - guys are wrestling with great energy. We are moving in the right direction."
Lucas Byrd, Daniel Pucino, Danny Braunagel, Matt Wroblewski, and Luke Luffman all provided a spark for the Illini, all coming out with victories in both of their matches on the day. Luffman notched two top-ten wins, defeating Wisconsin's No. 5 Trent Hillger and Ohio State's No. 6 Tate Orndorff.
Freshman Danny Pucino was extremely impressive in his Illini debut, racking up two wins on the afternoon. The freshman competed at 141-pounds, defeating Wisconsin's Dominic Dentino in a 10-4 decision in his first match, and Ohio State's Dylan D'Emilio in a 12-7 decision in his second.
Matt Wroblewski also picked up a huge overtime win for the Illini, securing his second win of the day with a sudden victory takedown. The win gave Illinois an 18-9 edge heading into the last match against the Badgers.
No. 24 Illinois 18, No. 7 Ohio State 15
125: Malik Heinselman (OHST) over Justin Cardani (ILL) (Dec 9-2)
133: Lucas Byrd (ILL) over Jacob Decatur (OHST) (Dec 2-0)
141: Danny Pucino (ILL) over Dylan D`Emilio (OHST) (Dec 12-7)
149: Sammy Sasso (OHST) over Michael Carr (ILL) (Fall 2:45)
157: Elijah Cleary (OHST) over Johnny Mologousis (ILL) (Dec 3-2)
165: Dan Braunagel (ILL) over Ethan Smith (OHST) (Dec 6-5)
174: Kaleb Romero (OHST) over DJ Shannon (ILL) (Dec 7-1)
184: Zach Braunagel (ILL) over Rocky Jordan (OHST) (Dec 2-0)
197: Matt Wroblewski (ILL) over Gavin Hoffman (OHST) (Dec 4-2)
HWT: Luke Luffman (ILL) over Tate Orndorff (OHST) (Dec 3-2)
No. 24 Illinois 21, No. 21 Wisconsin 9
125: Justin Cardani (ILL) over Eric Barnett (WIS) (Dec 3-1)
133: Lucas Byrd (ILL) over Kyle Burwick (WIS) (Dec 5-0)
141: Danny Pucino (ILL) over Dominic Dentino (WIS) (Dec 10-4)
149: Michael Carr (ILL) over Drew Scharenbrock (WIS) (Dec 8-3)
157: Garrett Model (WIS) over Johnny Mologousis (ILL) (Dec 7-3)
165: Dan Braunagel (ILL) over Josh Otto (WIS) (Dec 6-2)
174: Jared Krattiger (WIS) over DJ Shannon (ILL) (Dec 6-2)
184: Christopher Weiler (WIS) over Zach Braunagel (ILL) (Dec 8-2)
197: Matt Wroblewski (ILL) over Andrew Salemme (WIS) (Dec 3-1)
HWT: Luke Luffman (ILL) over Trent Hillger (WIS) (Dec 4-3)
Ohio State beats Wisconsin, 25-9
by Gary Petit, OSU Athletics
Ethan Smith bounced back after losing his first match against Illinois, picking up a nice 5-3 win over Josh Otto at 165 to give the Buckeyes the early 3-0 lead. Kaleb Romero and Rocky Jordan followed with methodical 9-5 and 9-4 victories, respectively, to push the lead to 9-0. Jordan’s win came over No. 13 Chris Weiler.
Gavin Hoffman rebounded from a loss in his first match to claim a 7-3 win over Andrew Salemme at 197. Wisconsin’s Trent Hillger then pinned Tate Orndorff with 1:21 remaining in the third to get the Badgers on the board heading back to Mat 1.
After the break, Mailk Heinselman continued his good start with a controlling 13-5 victory over Eric Barnett at 125. Jordan Decatur followed with a 4-2 win over Kyle Burwick to push the lead out to 19-6.
Freshman Anthony Echemendia made his collegiate debut, stepping in for the 141-pound match with Trey Escobar. He looked impressive as he delivered an 11-7 victory.
Sammy Sasso was tied 2-2 after the first period with Drew Scharenbrock, but the top-ranked 149-pounder dominated the rest of the way, winning 12-5. The final match at 157 saw Elijah Cleary drop a 3-2 decision to Garrett Model.
No. 7 Ohio State 25, No. 21 Wisconsin 9
125 -- No. 21 Mailk Heinselman def. Eric Barnett (WIS) | MD, 13-5
133 -- No. 25 Jordan Decatur def. Kyle Burwick (WIS) | D, 4-2
141 -- Anthony Echemendia def. Trey Escobar (WIS) | D, 11-7
149 -- No. 1 Sammy Sasso def. Drew Scharenbrock (WIS) | D, 12-5
157 -- Garrett Model (WIS) def. No. 22 Elijah Cleary | D, 3-2
165 -- Ethan Smith def. Josh Otto (WIS) | D, 5-3
174 -- No. 4 Kaleb Romero def. Jared Krattiger (WIS) | D, 9-5
184 -- No. 9 Rocky Jordan def. No. 13 Chris Weiler (WIS) | D, 9-4
197 -- Gavin Hoffman def. Andrew Salemme (WIS) | D, 7-3
HWT -- No. 5 Trent Hillger (WIS) def. No. 6 Tate Orndorff | PIN 6:39
CHAMPAIGN, Ill – Illinois picked up two wins in Sunday's tri-meet at State Farm Center, defeating No. 8 Ohio State, 18-15, and Wisconsin, 21-9. Several key match wins helped the Illini secure both victories, including two-win days for multiple Illini wrestlers. The Illini are now 3-0 on the season following the two victories.
"Two great wins today," said Illinois head coach Jim Heffernan. "Luffman, Wroblewski and Byrd were outstanding. Pucino ended up being a last minute starter due to an injury and wrestled lights out. Really proud of our effort across the board - guys are wrestling with great energy. We are moving in the right direction."
Lucas Byrd, Daniel Pucino, Danny Braunagel, Matt Wroblewski, and Luke Luffman all provided a spark for the Illini, all coming out with victories in both of their matches on the day. Luffman notched two top-ten wins, defeating Wisconsin's No. 5 Trent Hillger and Ohio State's No. 6 Tate Orndorff.
Freshman Danny Pucino was extremely impressive in his Illini debut, racking up two wins on the afternoon. The freshman competed at 141-pounds, defeating Wisconsin's Dominic Dentino in a 10-4 decision in his first match, and Ohio State's Dylan D'Emilio in a 12-7 decision in his second.
Matt Wroblewski also picked up a huge overtime win for the Illini, securing his second win of the day with a sudden victory takedown. The win gave Illinois an 18-9 edge heading into the last match against the Badgers.
No. 24 Illinois 18, No. 7 Ohio State 15
125: Malik Heinselman (OHST) over Justin Cardani (ILL) (Dec 9-2)
133: Lucas Byrd (ILL) over Jacob Decatur (OHST) (Dec 2-0)
141: Danny Pucino (ILL) over Dylan D`Emilio (OHST) (Dec 12-7)
149: Sammy Sasso (OHST) over Michael Carr (ILL) (Fall 2:45)
157: Elijah Cleary (OHST) over Johnny Mologousis (ILL) (Dec 3-2)
165: Dan Braunagel (ILL) over Ethan Smith (OHST) (Dec 6-5)
174: Kaleb Romero (OHST) over DJ Shannon (ILL) (Dec 7-1)
184: Zach Braunagel (ILL) over Rocky Jordan (OHST) (Dec 2-0)
197: Matt Wroblewski (ILL) over Gavin Hoffman (OHST) (Dec 4-2)
HWT: Luke Luffman (ILL) over Tate Orndorff (OHST) (Dec 3-2)
No. 24 Illinois 21, No. 21 Wisconsin 9
125: Justin Cardani (ILL) over Eric Barnett (WIS) (Dec 3-1)
133: Lucas Byrd (ILL) over Kyle Burwick (WIS) (Dec 5-0)
141: Danny Pucino (ILL) over Dominic Dentino (WIS) (Dec 10-4)
149: Michael Carr (ILL) over Drew Scharenbrock (WIS) (Dec 8-3)
157: Garrett Model (WIS) over Johnny Mologousis (ILL) (Dec 7-3)
165: Dan Braunagel (ILL) over Josh Otto (WIS) (Dec 6-2)
174: Jared Krattiger (WIS) over DJ Shannon (ILL) (Dec 6-2)
184: Christopher Weiler (WIS) over Zach Braunagel (ILL) (Dec 8-2)
197: Matt Wroblewski (ILL) over Andrew Salemme (WIS) (Dec 3-1)
HWT: Luke Luffman (ILL) over Trent Hillger (WIS) (Dec 4-3)
Ohio State beats Wisconsin, 25-9
by Gary Petit, OSU Athletics
Ethan Smith bounced back after losing his first match against Illinois, picking up a nice 5-3 win over Josh Otto at 165 to give the Buckeyes the early 3-0 lead. Kaleb Romero and Rocky Jordan followed with methodical 9-5 and 9-4 victories, respectively, to push the lead to 9-0. Jordan’s win came over No. 13 Chris Weiler.
Gavin Hoffman rebounded from a loss in his first match to claim a 7-3 win over Andrew Salemme at 197. Wisconsin’s Trent Hillger then pinned Tate Orndorff with 1:21 remaining in the third to get the Badgers on the board heading back to Mat 1.
After the break, Mailk Heinselman continued his good start with a controlling 13-5 victory over Eric Barnett at 125. Jordan Decatur followed with a 4-2 win over Kyle Burwick to push the lead out to 19-6.
Freshman Anthony Echemendia made his collegiate debut, stepping in for the 141-pound match with Trey Escobar. He looked impressive as he delivered an 11-7 victory.
Sammy Sasso was tied 2-2 after the first period with Drew Scharenbrock, but the top-ranked 149-pounder dominated the rest of the way, winning 12-5. The final match at 157 saw Elijah Cleary drop a 3-2 decision to Garrett Model.
No. 7 Ohio State 25, No. 21 Wisconsin 9
125 -- No. 21 Mailk Heinselman def. Eric Barnett (WIS) | MD, 13-5
133 -- No. 25 Jordan Decatur def. Kyle Burwick (WIS) | D, 4-2
141 -- Anthony Echemendia def. Trey Escobar (WIS) | D, 11-7
149 -- No. 1 Sammy Sasso def. Drew Scharenbrock (WIS) | D, 12-5
157 -- Garrett Model (WIS) def. No. 22 Elijah Cleary | D, 3-2
165 -- Ethan Smith def. Josh Otto (WIS) | D, 5-3
174 -- No. 4 Kaleb Romero def. Jared Krattiger (WIS) | D, 9-5
184 -- No. 9 Rocky Jordan def. No. 13 Chris Weiler (WIS) | D, 9-4
197 -- Gavin Hoffman def. Andrew Salemme (WIS) | D, 7-3
HWT -- No. 5 Trent Hillger (WIS) def. No. 6 Tate Orndorff | PIN 6:39
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