University of Illinois
Hofstra
November 4, 2026 | Wrestling
PREVIEW
| Event: | vs. Hofstra // Journeymen Collegiate Classic |
|---|---|
| When: | Saturday, Nov. 7, 9 a.m. CT // Sunday, Nov. 8, 8 a.m. CT |
| Where: | Bethlehem, Pa. |
| Info: | Hofstra // Journeymen Collegiate Classic |
| Rankings: | InterMat |
| Social Media: | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook | YouTube |
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The No. 17 Fighting Illini wrestling team is set to compete in WrangleMania in Bethlehem, Pa. They will open their dual season with Hofstra on Saturday (Nov. 7) at 9 a.m. Then compete in the Journeymen Collegiate Classic tournament on Sunday (Nov. 8) starting at 8 a.m. CT.
The No. 17 Illini are coming off the Southeast Open, where Colin Kelly (174 pounds) and Griff Powell (133 pounds) each earned second-place finishes. Kelly, ranked No. 20 nationally, picked up a ranked victory over No. 27 Brody Conley in the semifinals. Illinois will look to continue that momentum to its first dual meet of the season against Hofstra.
Hofstra is 1-0 to begin their season after defeating Sacred Heart 35-7 on Oct. 31. Teague Strobel (125), Noah Tapia (149) and Zach Reilley (157) each recorded wins by fall, while Jaden Simpson (184) and Will Conlon (197) added major decisions. Last year in their 2025-26 season, they finished 3-15. This will be the first meeting between the Illini and Pride.
The last time Illinois competed at the Journeymen Collegiate Classic was in the 2024-25 season. Kannon Webster took home the hammer in 149-pound bracket going a perfect 3-0, highlighted by a first-round pin over Harvard's Jaden Pepe in just 1:17. He went on to defeat Rutgers' Alex Nini, 4-1, and Penn's Cross Wasiliewski, 8-7, to take gold.
