2023-24 Wrestling Roster
Justin Cardani
- Position:
- 125
- Hometown:
- Champaign, Ill.
- High School:
- Centennial
 2x NCAA Championships Qualifier |
2023-24
- Went 4-12 overall, 4-9 in duals and scored 12 dual points
- One of nine Illini to score double digit dual points
- Academic All-Big Ten
2022-23
- Did not compete due to injury
2021-22
- NCAA qualifier at 125 pounds
- Went 12-11 overall
- Academic All-Big Ten
2020-21
- Academic All-Big Ten
- Finished his redshirt sophomore season with a 3-9 overall record, going 2-6 in B1G duals
- Started in all eight regular season dual meets for the Illini at 125-pounds
- Started the season 2-0, defeating Indiana's Brock Hudkins in a 3-1 decision and Wisconsin's Eric Barnett in a 3-1 decision
2019-20
- Earned at-large bid to NCAA Championships; NCAA Championships canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic
- Finished his redshirt freshman campaign with an overall record of 16-10
- Went 11-3 in dual matches, including a 7-2 mark in Big Ten dual bouts
- Started in every dual for the Illini at 125-pounds, finishing fourth on the team in dual points with 34
- Upset No. 9 Michael De Augustino of Northwestern by decision, 4-2, in the dual matchup on Feb. 2 at Huff Hall
- NWCA Scholar All-American
- Academic All-Big Ten
2018-19
- Led all Illini redshirts in wins with 16
- Placed sixth at 125-pounds at Midlands competing unattached, going 5-2
- Defeated #6 Ryan Milhof of Arizona State at Midlands
- Recorded a fall in his first career match at the Maryville Open (4:38)
Career Record
| Year | Overall | Dual | Conference | Falls | TF | MD | Big Ten | NCAA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-19* | 16-1 | -- | -- | 1 | 1 | 0 | -- | -- |
| 2019-20 | 16-10 | 11-3 | 7-2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -- | Canceled |
| 2020-21 | 3-9 | 2-6 | 2-6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | -- | -- |
| 2021-22 | 12-11 | 2-6 | 1-5 | 0 | 0 | 2 | -- | DNP |
| 2022-23* | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- |
| 2023-24 | 4-12 | 4-9 | 2-5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | -- | -- |
| Total | 35-42 | 19-24 | 12-18 | 0 | 0 | 4 |
*Redshirt Season
High School
- 2017 IHSA Class 2A 106 Pound Champion
- Undefeated (45-0) 2016-17 junior season
- 2017 Illinois Freestyle and Greco-Roman 106 Pound Champion
- 2016 Illinois Freestyle 106 Pound State Champion
- First Champaign Centennial wrestler to win state title
Illini Wrestling I Lucas Byrd First Pitch 5/13/25
Saturday, May 17
Illini Wrestling I Lucas Byrd National Champion Highlight Reel 3/31/25
Monday, March 31
Illini Wrestling I Lucas Byrd Media Availability 3/27/25
Thursday, March 27
Illini Wrestling I Mike Poeta Media Availability 3/27/25
Thursday, March 27
