Oct. 31, 2013

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- On Saturday, Nov. 2 the Illinois Fighting Illini wrestling team will be hosting the first annual "Chasing the Dream" youth wrestling tournament. The team is hosting the event in hopes to become closer to the state of Illinois' wrestling community, as well as raise funds for the new Illinois Regional Training Center/Illini Kids Wrestling Club. The event will also feature two exhibition matches to preview the new freestyle program at the Illinois Regional Training Center. The "Chasing the Dream" youth tournament will begin at 8:30 a.m. CT at Huff Hall. Entry will be $5.00 for adults and $3.00 for children under 12 years old.

At 12 p.m. CT, the wrestling team will also hold the annual Illini Wrestle-Offs at Huff Hall. This season's wrestle-offs will feature veterans such as 2013 NCAA Champion Jesse Delgado, as well as fresh faces like Carbondale, Ill. native Zane Richards. For fans wishing to see only the Illini Wrestle-Offs, entry will be free from 11:30 a.m. until noon.

2013 Illinois Wrestling Wrestle-Off Matches
125 lbs: Jesse Delgado vs. Dominic Olivieri
Zane Richards (133 lbs) vs. John Fahy (141 lbs)
157 lbs: Zac Brunson vs. Jake Gingerich
157 lbs: Kyle Langenderfer vs. Isaiah Martinez
165 lbs: Jackson Morse vs. Matt Nora
174 lbs: Tony Dallago vs. Danny Hicks
184 lbs: Nikko Reyes vs. Jeff Koepke

Freestyle Exhibition Matches
B.J. Futrell vs. Chase Pami
Wynn Michalak vs. Pat Walker