University of Illinois
Hofstra
November 7, 2026 | Wrestling
RECAP
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – The No. 17 Illinois wrestling team dominated its season opening dual against Hofstra, 45-0, on Saturday morning from Liberty High School. 45 is the most dual points the Illini have scored in 14 years since they won 46-0 over Princeton back on Nov. 24, 2012.
The Illini not only shut out the Pride on the scoreboard, but they also didn't surrender a single takedown in all 10 bouts with seven of their wins being tech. falls. Illinois outscored Hofstra 154-27 in total match points.
Newcomer Ethan Perryman began the day for the Illini with a 4-2 decision win over Teague Strobel at 125 pounds to give Illinois a 3-0 lead.
That bout was followed by four straight tech. falls for the Orange and Blue started by No. 31 Troy Hohman at 133 pounds (23-2, 5:00) over Gauge Shipp, No. 28 Greyson Clark (15-0, 2:54) over Laudan Henry at 141 pounds, No. 21 Michael Gioffre (19-4, 7:00) over No. 32 Noah Tapia at 149 pounds and No. 5 Kannon Webster (20-3, 3:32) over Zach Reilley at 157 pounds. Illinois led 23-0 after this point.
Ryan Bennett battled to a 4-2 decision over Jake Slotnick at 165 pounds before No. 20 at 174 pounds Colin Kelly got the Illini back on the tech. fall train with his 22-6 (6:07) win over Frank Volpe. No. 13 at 184 pounds Chris Moore earned a tech. fall win himself over Josh Jorgge, 17-2 (6:55), to give the Illini a 36-0 lead heading into the final two bouts.
Payton Thomas earned a 9-1 major decision over Will Conlon at 197 pounds and Peter Marinopoulos closed out the dual with one final tech. fall, 21-5 (3:56), over Grayson Robinson to give Illinois the 45-0 shutout victory.
RESULTS
#17 Illinois 45, Hofstra 0
Saturday, Nov. 7, 2026 I Bethlehem, Pa. I Liberty High School
125: Ethan Perryman (ILL) dec. Teague Strobel (HOF), 4-2 // ILL 3, HOF 0
133: #31 Troy Hohman (ILL) tech. fall Gauge Shipp (HOF), 23-2 (5:00) // ILL 8, HOF 0
141: #28 Greyson Clark (ILL) tech. fall Laudan Henry (HOF), 15-0 (2:54) // ILL 13, HOF 0
149: #21 Michael Gioffre (ILL) tech. fall #32 Noah Tapia (HOF), 19-4 (7:00) // ILL 18, HOF 0
157: #5 Kannon Webster (ILL) tech. fall Zach Reilley (HOF), 20-3 (3:32) // ILL 23, HOF 0
165: Ryan Bennett (ILL) dec. Jake Slotnick (HOF), 4-2 // ILL 26, HOF 0
174: #20 Colin Kelly (ILL) tech. fall Frank Volpe (HOF), 22-6 (6:07) // ILL 31, HOF 0
184: #13 Chris Moore (ILL) tech. fall Josh Jorgge (HOF), 17-2 (6:55) // ILL 36, HOF 0
197: Payton Thomas (ILL) major dec. Will Conlon (HOF), 9-1 // ILL 40, HOF 0
285: Peter Marinopoulos (ILL) tech. fall Grayson Robinson (HOF), 21-5 (3:56) // ILL 45, HOF 0
