Updated Brackets | Team Scores
New York City, NY — Head Coach Jim Heffernan's top-two wrestlers all season long punched their tickets to the semifinal round this evening, guaranteeing them All-American honors. For Martinez (30-1, it's his second All-American finish in as many seasons, while Richards (26-1), a junior, garners the honor for the first time in his career. The All-America honors marks the 25th straight year that the Fighting Illini have had at least one All-American. Steven Rodrigues (165) and Brooks Black (HWT)remain alive in the consolation bracket.
Martinez & Richards Wrestle Tonight in Semis
Isaiah Martinez notched his second All-America honor earlier this afternoon in his quarterfinal victory over Nick Brascetta of Virginia Tech. After dominating performances in the opening two sessions, Martinez had to grind out a win today. After opening the scoring with a takedown and a reversal to lead 4-1, Brascetta held him in check for the next two and a half minutes. With is lead trimmed to 4-3, Martinez put the match away for good in the final seconds with his second takedown of the match, winning 6-3. Tonight, Martinez will do battle with Kent State's #4 Ian Miller (23-1).
After grinding out victories on day one, Richards controlled his quarterfinal match from start to finish this morning. Facing Virginia's George DiCamillo, the Illini junior jumped out early with a takedown and followed it up with a near fall and second takedown all in period one. After DiCamillo battled back to within five in period two, Richards put the Cavalier to rest with another takedown in the final minute. The 12-4 major decision puts Richards in a semifinal showdown with Iowa's Cory Clark. The two Big Ten grapplers split the season series, Richards winning at Huff in sudden victory and Clark getting revenge in the Big Ten Championships title bout.
Rodrigues & Black Drop Quarterfinal Bouts, Seek Podium in Wrestlebacks
With two of Rodrigues' three losses this season coming at the hands of Ohio State's third-seeded Bo Jordan, the Illini senior looked to turn the table today. He spoke before the match about needing to control the tempo, something he said he didn't do at Big Ten Championships. Through the first two periods today, Rodrigues succeeded in being patient, only trailing 2-1. However, #3 Jordan pushed the pace in the final two minutes, using a take down and a near fall to defeat Rodrigues 10-2. Rodrigues will look to wrestle back towards the podium, and his first All-American finish, later today.
A similar fate fell to Illinois' heavyweight wrestler, Brooks Black. After defeating four ranked wrestlers during the postseason, Black was unable to overcome Ty Walz of Virginia Tech today in the quarterfinals. After taking a 1-0 lead in period two, Walz notched a takedown and ultimately held on for a 4-1 decision. Black will seek a spot in one of tomorrow's podium matches as he turns his efforts to wrestlebacks.
Brunson & Koepke Eliminated in Consolation Bracket
After getting upset in the second round by #12 Nathan Jackson (Indiana) yesterday evening, Brunson bounced back to the consolation bracket today. After losing to Nick Wanzek (Minnesota) on February 12 at Huff Hall, Brunson enacted revenge with a 9-2 decision. Brunson and Wanzek remained nip and tuck through the first six minutes, but Brunson got over the hump in the final minute with a takedown and back points to seal the victory. Unfortunately, Brunson was unable to take down #3 Blaise Butler (Missouri)in round three, dropping a tough 3-1 decision.
After losing his opening round match, Koepke has rolled off back-to-back victories to advance in the consolation bracket. Wrestling Joe Ariola (Buffalo) this afternoon, the duo never conceded a takedown. However, in the match's final minute, Ariola was called for a penalty that awarded Koepke the deciding point in a 2-1 final tally. Koepke will wrestle Blake Stauffer of Arizona State in wrestlebacks later today. In the third round, Koepke battled #6 Blake Stauffer of Arizona State tough for seven minutes, forcing overtime with the score tied, 3-3. However, the ranked Sun Devil got to his offense in sudden victory to notch a match-clinching takedown, winning 5-3.
Complete Illini Results:
133: #3 Zane Richards
Champ. Round 1: won by decision over Joey Palmer (ORST), 5-4
Champ. Round 2: won by decision over #14 Geoffrey Alexander (MD), 9-5
Quarterfinals: won by major decision over #6 George DiCamillo (UVA),12-4
Semifinals: vs. #2 Cory Clark (Iowa)
157: #2 Isaiah Martinez
Champ. Round 1: won by tech fall over Robert Henderson (UNC), 16-0
Champ. Round 2: won by major decision over #16 Markus Scheidel (COLU), 15-4
Quarterfinals: won by decision over #8 Nick Brascetta (VT), 6-3
Semifinals: vs. #4 Ian Miller (Kent State)
165: #6 Steven Rodrigues
Champ. Round 1: won by decision over George Pickett (CORN), 5-2
Champ. Round 2: won by decision over Geno Morelli (PSU), 3-1 (SV-2)
Quarterfinals: lost by major decision to #3 Bo Jordan (Ohio State), 10-2
Cons. Round 4: #8 Chad Welch (PUR)
174: #5 Zac Brunson
Champ. Round 1: won by decision over Keaton Subjeck (STAN), 3-1
Champ Round 2: lost by major decision to #12 Nathan Jackson (IND), 10-1
Cons. Round 2: won by decision over Nick Wanzek (Minnesota), 9-2
Cons. Round 3: lost by decision to #3 Blaise Butler (Missouri), 3-1
Zac Brunson eliminated
184: #7 Jeff Koepke
Champ. Round 1: loses by major decision to Domenic Abounader (MICH), 8-0
Cons. Round 1: won by decision over Samson Imonode (Army), 6-5
Cons. Round 2: won by decision over Joe Ariola (Buffalo), 2-1
Cons. Round 3: lost by decision to #6 Blake Stauffer (ASU), 5-3 (SV-1)
Jeff Koepke eliminated
HWT: #7 Brooks Black
Champ. Round 1: wins by decision over #6 Denzel Dejournette (APP), 7-2
Champ. Round 2: wins by decision over Boyce Cornwell (GW), 4-3 (2OT)
Quarterfinals: lost by decision to #3 Ty Walz (Virginia Tech), 4-1
Cons. Round 4: vs. Michael Kroells (ASU)
TEAM STANDINGS
1. Penn State 68.5
2. Ohio St. 54.0
3. Iowa 48.5
4. Oklahoma St. 46.0
5. Missouri 42.5
6. Nebraska 35.5
7. NC State 32.5
8. Michigan 32.0
9. Virginia Tech 30.5
10. Cornell 28.5
11. ILLINOIS 28.0
