April 7, 2003

University of Illinois freshman wrestler Donny Reynolds pinned his finals opponent, Matt Pell of Dave Schultz Wrestling Club in 5:38 to win the title at 163 pounds this weekend at the FILA National Junior Championships in Chattanooga, Tenn.

Reynolds (Frankfort, Ill./Providence Catholic) was one of three Illini freshmen to compete in the weekend's tournament, along with 132-pounder Cassio Pero (Chicago Heights, Ill./Mt. Carmel) and heavyweight Mike Behnke (Villa Park, Ill./Willowbrook).

Reynolds was dominant in his five wins en route to the title. After decisions in the first two rounds over Matt McIntire of Hoosier WC and Marc Harwood of Nebraska, he pinned T.J. Sayers of UT-Chattanooga in 4:08 to advance to the quarterfinals. He won by technical fall with an 11-0 score over Gabe Conaghan (Dave Schultz WC) in the quarters and defeated Iowa's Mark Mueller, 4-3 in the semis.

Both Pero and Behnke won their consolation match to advance, but fell in the second round. Pero teched Patrick Corman, shutting him out 10-0 then was pinned by Todd Meneely of Hawkeye WC. Behnke won a 4-3 decision over Cody Parker of Oregon, but lost to Arnold Frost of Brockport , 6-3.