Sept. 14, 2011
Complete Release
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The Fighting Illini wrestling team has been ranked No. 8 in WIN Magazine's preseason tournament power index (TPI) the publication announced Wednesday. The TPI is WIN's prediction of how teams will finish at the 2012 NCAA Championships. The Illini boast three wrestlers ranked in the top 10, with 133 pounder B.J. Futrell and 174 pounder Jordan Blanton earning the No. 3 spots in their respective weight classes.
In the individual rankings, All-Americans Futrell and Blanton take the No. 3 position in their respective weight classes, both of which are career-best rankings. After qualifying for NCAA's last year, senior Eric Terrazas is No. 8 at 149 pounds and Jackson Morse takes the No. 16 spot. Reshirt-freshman transfer Jesse Delgado is ranked No. 15 at 125 pounds while Mario Gonzalez rounds out the Illini with the No. 16 spot at 197 pounds. This year's preseason ranking for Morse and Gonzalez are new career-bests.
The Illini look to improve upon their 2010-11 season, returning two All-Americans and five NCAA qualifiers, finishing 22nd at the NCAA Championships and sixth in the Big Ten.
