Feb. 19, 2012
STILLWATER, Okla. - The University of Illinois wrestling team was defeated by Iowa, 28-6 in the consolation finals of the NWCA National Duals. The Illini got wins from No. 17 Eric Terrazas and No. 16 Mario Gonzalezat Gallagher-Iba Arena as the Orange and Blue's record falls to 16-4 on the season.
“The Oklahoma State match was very emotionally charged for our guys,” head coach Jim Heffernan said. “I think it took a lot out of us judging by the outcome of the Iowa match.”
Illinois began the match at 125 where No. 5 Jesse Delgado dropped his first match since the end of January after No. 1 Matt McDonough won 6-3 to put the Hawkeyes up an early 3-0. No. 4 B.J. Futrell (133) and Daryl Thomas(141) lost their respective bouts as Tony Ramos won 5-2 over Futrell and Montell Marion moved past Thomas 6-2. After three bouts, the Illini were down 9-0.
Senior Eric Terrazas put the Illini on the scoreboard as the 149-pounder defeated Mike Kelly 3-2 to cut the lead to 9-3, however Iowa got bonus points at 157 when Derek St. John pinned Jackson Morsein a time of 3:14. The pin gave the Hawkeyes a 15-3 lead halfway through the match.
The Illini dropped the next three matches as No. 6 Mike Evans defeated No. 8 Conrad Polz, 5-1 and No. 9 Ethen Lofthouse moved past No. 11 Jordan Blanton 4-2. At 184, Tony Dallagowas defeated by Iowa's Grant Gambrall with a 10-2 major decision to push the score to 25-3 in favor of the Hawkeyes.
Illinois got their second victory of the dual at 197 with No. 16 Mario Gonzalez's 11-6 victory over Vinnie Wagner. The win marked the Aurora, Ill., native's 19th victory of the season and 29th of his career. At heavyweight, Pat Walkerdropped his bout 5-0 to Iowa's Bobby Telford as the Hawkeyes won the match 28-6.
Minnesota defeated Iowa 16-15 in the semifinals and moved past Oklahoma State 18-13 to win the 2012 NWCA/Cliff Keen National Duals.
The Illini will have a week off before traveling to West Lafayette, Ind., for the Big Ten Championships on March 3-4.
#4 Iowa 28, #5 Illinois 6
125 - No. 1 Matt McDonough (IOWA) dec. No. 5 Jesse Delgado (ILL), 6-3 (0-3)
133 - No. 3 Tony Ramos (IOWA) dec. No. 4 B.J. Futrell (ILL), 5-2 (0-6)
141 - No. 4 Montell Marion (IOWA) dec. Daryl Thomas (ILL), 6-2 (0-9)
149 - No. 17 Eric Terrazas (ILL) dec. Mike Kelly (IOWA), 3-2 (3-9)
157 - Derek St. John (IOWA) pinned Jackson Morse (ILL) 3:14 (3-15)
165 - No. 6 Mike Evans (IOWA) dec. No. 8 Conrad Polz (ILL), 5-1 (3-18)
174 - No. 9 Ethen Lofthouse (IOWA) dec. No. 11 Jordan Blanton (ILL), 4-2 (3-21)
184 - Grant Gambrall (IOWA) maj. dec. Tony Dallago (ILL), 10-2 (3-25)
197 - No. 16 Mario Gonzalez (ILL) dec. Vinnie Wagner (IOWA), 11-6 (6-25)
HWT -No. 12 Bobby Telford (IOWA) dec. Pat Walker (ILL), 5-0 (6-28)
