Nov. 6, 2012

PARK RIDGE, Ill. -- Two-time NCAA Qualifier Tony Dallago earned the season's first Big Ten Wrestler of the Week honors, the conference announced Tuesday. The Illini grappler earns his second honor of his career after going 4-0 last Saturday to capture the 184 title at the Loras Open.

The No. 8 184-pounder dominated the competition, recording wins by pins in all four of his bouts. The Harrisburg, Pa., native started the Loras Open, pinning Nate Cristion of Dubuque in 1:01, then followed up by pinning Mike Kelly of Harper College in 23 seconds, the fastest of the tournament by any Illini. Dallago continued his success by pinning Ryan Sheldon (Coe College) in 1:18 to reach the finals where he defeated Mitch Schultz (Upper Iowa) in a time of 2:13 to win the title.

The last Illini to win the conference honor was Jesse Delgado on Feb. 14, 2012.

The Fighting Illini will travel to Ames, Iowa this Saturday to compete in the Harold Nichols Cyclone Open.