Jan. 10, 2012
PARK RIDGE, Ill. - Illinois senior Eric Terrazas was named the Big Ten Co-Wrestler of the Week Tuesday after dominating at 149 pounds and leading the Fighting Illini to a 3-0 record for the week. Terrazas, then ranked 14th, went undefeated with wins over two top-10 opponents in No. 7 Ivan Lopouchanski of Purdue and No. 4 Eric Grajales of Michigan, giving him three wins over top-10 foes in his career.
The 149-pounder recorded one technical fall and two decisions, scoring 11 points for the Illini during the three duals. The Wheaton, Ill., native recorded his first decision against Lopouchanski on Friday night with a dominant 10-4 victory. He followed with two victories, a 16-1 technical fall over Lock Haven's Owen Wilkinson and a 6-3 decision against Grajales.
Terrazas' three victories helped the Illini cruise to 24-9, 38-6 and 31-9 victories over Purdue, Lock Haven and No. 8 Michigan, respectively. The 22-point margin against the Wolverines was the largest since Illinois' 30-6 victory over Northwestern on Jan. 31, 2010. It also marked the first time Illinois had won three duals in the same weekend since Jan. 26-29, 2006.
Terrazas shared Wrestler of the Week honors with Iowa's Tony Ramos, who is ranked No. 2 at 133 pounds. The last Illini to win the honor was B.J. Futrell on Nov. 15, 2011.
The Fighting Illini will return to action on Friday, Jan. 13 as the Orange and Blue host Minnesota for the fourth-annual "Great Escape" starting at 7 p.m. CT at Huff Hall. Fans receive free admission and the first 800 people through the Huff Hall doors will receive free food with doors opening at 6 p.m.
