All rankings according to InterMat.
EDWARDSVILLE, Ill. – The No. 13 Illinois wrestling team won their season opening dual in dominant fashion 41-3 over SIU-Edwardsville on Saturday (Nov. 2). This marks the first time Illinois has scored 40 or more points in a dual since Nov. 15, 2015, where they beat SIU-Edwardsville by the same score 41-3. They tallied one fall, four tech. falls, three major decisions and one decision in their triumph.
HOW IT HAPPENED
No. 3 at 133 pounds redshirt senior Lucas Byrd got the first win of the season for the Illini and secured a bonus point in his major decision, 12-3, over Marcel Lopez (SIUE) to give Illinois a 4-3 lead. This sparked an offensive surge for the Orange and Blue.
No. 19 at 141 pounds redshirt junior Danny Pucino made it back-to-back major decision wins when he defeated Danny Martinez (SIUE), 14-2, to raise the team score to 8-3.
No. 10 at 149 pounds redshirt freshman Kannon Webster lit up the score board on Hayden Whidden (SIUE) to secure the first tech. fall, 18-3 (6:15), of the season for the Fighting Illini and improved their lead to 13-3.
No. 23 at 157 pounds graduate student Jason Kraisser trailed 7-0 early in the first period to Brock Woodcock (SIUE) after getting taken down and turned to his back. He continued to fight through the rolls and caught Woodcock on his back to pin him at the 2:18 point in the first period increasing the Illinois lead, 19-3.
165 pound redshirt freshman Braeden Scoles put on show over Bradley Gillum (SIUE) to get the second tech. fall of the night, 17-2 (4:01), pushing the team score to 24-3 in Illinois' favor.
No. 20 at 174 pounds redshirt senior Danny Braunagel made it back-to-back tech. falls with his 19-4 (3:58) win over Griffin Ray (SIUE), Illinois led 29-3 after this match.
No. 8 at 184 pounds redshirt senior Edmond Ruth battled through two of his takedowns being taken away by challenges from the Cougars. A late stall call at the very end of the match on Deron Pulliam (SIUE) tied it up at four a piece and Ruth made quick work in sudden victory to get the winning takedown, 7-4. This pushed the Orange and Blue grapplers past the 30 point threshold, 32-3.
No. 10 at 197 pounds redshirt senior Zac Braunagel recorded the fourth and final tech. fall of the night over Nick Nosler (SIUE), 23-7 (5:58). No. 13 at 285 pounds redshirt senior Luke Luffman capped off the night with a major decision over Bryson Buhk (SIUE), 14-3, to end the dual 41-3.
UP NEXT
The Illini grapplers return to action next week for WrangleMania in Bethlehem, Pa. on Nov. 9-10. Saturday (Nov. 9) Will feature two duals against No. 21 Arizona State and Binghamton. Sunday (Nov. 10) they will compete in the Journeymen Collegiate Classic tournament.
FULL RESULTS
| Weight |
Matchup |
Score |
| 125: |
Drew Davis (SIUE) dec. #17 Ramazan Attasauov (ILL), 8-5 |
ILL 0 I SIUE 3 |
| 133: |
#3 Lucas Byrd (ILL) major dec. Marcel Lopez (SIUE), 12-3 |
ILL 4 I SIUE 3 |
| 141: |
#19 Danny Pucino (ILL) major dec. Danny Martinez (SIUE), 14-2 |
ILL 8 I SIUE 3 |
| 149: |
#10 Kannon Webster (ILL) tech. fall Hayden Whidden (SIUE), 18-3 (6:15) |
ILL 13 I SIUE 3 |
| 157: |
#23 Jason Kraisser (ILL) pins Brock Woodcock (SIUE), 2:18 |
ILL 19 I SIUE 3 |
| 165: |
Braeden Scoles (ILL) tech. fall Bradley Gillum (SIUE), 17-2 (4:01) |
ILL 24 I SIUE 3 |
| 174: |
#20 Danny Braunagel (ILL) tech. fall Griffin Ray (SIUE), 19-4 (3:58) |
ILL 29 I SIUE 3 |
| 184: |
#8 Edmond Ruth (ILL) dec. Deron Pulliam (SIUE), SV-1 7-4 |
ILL 32 I SIUE 3 |
| 197: |
#10 Zac Braunagel (ILL) tech. fall Nick Nosler (SIUE), 23-7 (5:58) |
ILL 37 I SIUE 3 |
| 285: |
#13 Luke Luffman (ILL) major dec. Bryson Buhk (SIUE), 14-3 |
ILL 41 I SIUE 3 |
