Nov. 21, 2010

FRESNO, Calif. - No. 3 Jordan Blanton dropped his bout at the 2010 NWCA All-Star Classic to Stanford's No. 6 Nick Amuchastegui, 4-0, at the Selland Arena in Fresno, Calif., Sunday, marking the first loss by an Illini wrestler in the event since 2003, a string of five consecutive victories.

"Jordan never really got going tonight," Illinois head coach Jim Heffernan said. "He's been a slow starter throughout his career, but I know that he will continue to progress and will be at his best in March."

Amuchastegui scored a takedown late in the first period and Blanton chose down to start the second period. But the Cardinal wrestler was able to ride him out before choosing down to start the third and escaping. The riding-time point made the score 4-0 in Amuchastegui's favor.

The Illini return to action on Dec. 3-4 at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational.