Updated Brackets
IOWA CITY, IOWA — The Fighting Illini got off to a strong start in session one, putting four Illini in the semifinals. However, it was in session two that the Orange & Blue turned up the heat. Jim Heffernan's squad put three of their four semifinalists in tomorrow's final, including an exhilarating pin by #3 Zac Brunson over the host's Alex Meyer, to highlight the evening. Adding to the success was #7 Jeff Koepke and #7 Brooks Black, both of whom remain alive along with #3 Steven Rodrigues in the consolation bracket in tomorrow's finale.
"Putting three in the finals at this event is really good," said Heffernan. "Having another three in the consolation round, and a total of six qualifying already, is a pretty solid day. Lots of ups and downs throughout the day as usual. [It was] a really big win for Brunson in the semis tonight, but we sttill have a lot of wrestling to do tomorrow."
Three Illini to Wrestle for Big Ten Title Tomorrow:
After putting a quartet of grapplers into the semifinals this afternoon, three of the four responded with victories to clinch a spot in tomorrow's championship round, which will be aired live on Big Ten Network at 3 p.m. central time.
After receiving a bye in the first round, #1 Zane Richards got to work on Rossi Bruno of Michigan, notching a takedown and near-fall to lead 6-1. Leading by as much as nine, Richards held on for a 10-3 decision over the Wolverine. In the semi-final, Richards grabbed an early 2-0 lead with a first-period takedown. After stalemate during most of the next three minutes, Richards added one final takedown to clinch a methodical 5-1 victory. He'll meet Iowa's Cory Clark in the title bout tomorrow.
#2 Isaiah Martinez got out fast against Wisconsin's TJ Ruschell, leading 14-1. Ruschell responded with a takedown and back points to cut the lead in half, but that would be the closest he would come. Martinez came back with two more near falls in period two on his way to a 24-8 tech fall, his 17th of the season. In the quarterfinals, Martinez once again started fast, but Nebraska's Tyler Berger hung tough. With the two exchanging blows, Martinez never could extend the lead past five points and held on for a 14-11 decision. After dominating #6 Brian Murphy in Ann Arbor earlier this season, the duo fought tooth and nail late in the third period. With less than a minute to go, Martinez notched a decisive takedown to push him to a 5-4 decision and a spot in the final tomorrow where he will face his only grappler to defeat him in his college career, #1 Jason Nolf of Penn State.
The final Illini advancing to tomorrow's finals was #3 Zac Brunson after a blowout victory in round one of Andrew Hoselton (Purdue) and a decision victory over Micah Barnes (Nebraska). Against Hoselton, Brunson used three near falls to shutout the Boilermaker, 16-0. The red-shirt junior defeated Micah Barnes for the second time in a month with a 6-2 decision against the Husker. In what looked to be a tough bout that would go the distance, Brunson put the pressure on #2 Alex Meyer to get the takedown, and then got the Hawkeye on his back for his ninth pin of the season.
"Obviously I expect to go out there and battle, but when you get those opportunities, you have to take them right away because they may only come once or twice a match," explained Brunson. "I saw it was there, and I executed."
Brunson will take on Bo Nickal of Penn State tomorrow in the 174-pound final, looking to avenge a January 23 loss to Nickal.
"I need to go out there and execute," said Brunson. "I know I'm the hardest worker and the best wrestler in the country, but it's all a matter of going out there and competing as hard as I can."
Rodrigues, Koepke and Black Have Sights Set on Third Place
At 165, senior #3 Steven Rodrigues used a familiar format to earn a major decision victory in the opening round. Rodrigues rode Brendan Brunham of Maryland hard for seven minutes, working seven takedowns to route the freshman 15-5. In the second round of the championship bracket, Rodrigues faced Austin Wilson of Nebraska. After beating him in a grueling battle in Lincoln just a month ago, Rodrigues grinded out another low scoring affair today. After a scoreless first period, the Illini senior made a second-period takedown stand up, winning by a count of 3-1. Rodrigues looked to avenge one of his two losses tonight when he faced #2 Bo Jordan of Ohio State, but came up on the short end of a 10-2 major decision. He will attempt to rebound and earn third-place tomorrow afternoon.
Wrestling in his final Big Ten Championships, senior Jeff Koepke raced out to a quick 10-4 lead over Mark Colabucci of Maryland and held on for the 17-7 major decision. After defeating Penn State's #2 Matt McCutcheon in Champaign on January 23, the senior looked to replicate that performance in the quarterfinals today. However, McCutcheon bounced back from his defeat earlier this season to lead wire-to-wire for a 6-2 decision. Facing Pfarr in the second round of the consolation bracket, Koepke got out to an early 9-2 lead, and then held on for a 11-5 decision. In his final bout of the day, Koepke defeated Kenny Courts of Ohio State, controlling the Buckeye for all seven minutes for the riding-time aided 5-1 victory. He will wrestle for a spot in the third-place match tomorrow at noon.
Brooks Black started off his day with a familiar foe. After pinning Conan Jennings on February 7 to feat Northwestern at Huff Hall, the Illini sophomore continued his success against the Wildcat with a 4-0 shutout. In the quarterfinals, Black's quarterfinal opponent, Ohio State's #2 Kyle Snyder, proved too much for the Illini to handle. Snyder pushed the pace early, leading 12-5 after three minutes, and maintaining the intensity throughout to earn the tech fall, 26-11. started his route through the consolation bracket with a hard fought win over #8 Nick Nevills of Penn State, leading from start to finish to win 5-3. Black saved his best for last on day one, upsetting #3 Sam Stoll of Iowa with a controlled and calculated 3-0 victory over the Hawkeye freshman.
"I beat him back in high school, but he's gotten me a couple times so it was definitely one I wanted badly," said Black.
Other Illini in Action at Big Ten Championships
Kyle Langenderfer had a rough start to his day, losing by pin to #1 Zain Retherford of Penn State, but responded with a pin of his own over Wade Hodges of Maryland (3:44) in the consolation bracket. In the third session, Langenderfer took on Cody Burcher (Ohio State), but was quickly overwhelmed, losing by pin in just 57 seconds.
For Francis Edelen, his day began in defeat against #6 Johnny Jimenez of Wisconsin with a 10-2 major decision. Unfortunately for the true freshman, a similar result ensued in the consolation bracket with a 10-6 defeat at the hands of Michigan State's Mitch Rogaliner.
Much like Edelen, true freshman Mousa Jodeh battled hard against #2 Tommy Thorn but ultimately fell 10-2 to the Gopher. Battling Wisconsin's Gabe Grahek in the consolation bracket, the Illini dropped a defensive struggle 2-0 to the Badger red-shirt sophomore.
Finally, Andre Lee opened his day with a rematch with #8 Jacob Cooper. After dropping the match in East Lansing, Lee battled to a 1-1 tie through regulation but couldn't hang on in overtime, losing 3-1. Lee looked to have responded well against Indiana's Jake Masengale, but was put on his back and pinned at the end of the first period.
Full Illini Results:
125: Francis Edelen
Champ. Round 1: loses by major decision to #6 Johnny Jimenez (WIS), 10-2
Cons. Round 1: loses by decision to Mitch Rogaliner (MSU), 10-6
Edelen is eliminated
133: #1 Zane Richards
Champ. Round 1: Richards received a bye
Quarterfinals: wins by decision over #8 Rossi Bruno (MICH), 10-3.
Semifinals: wins by decision over #5 Eric Montoya (NEB), 5-1
141: Mousa Jodeh
Champ. Round 1: loses by major decision to #2 Tommy Thorn (MINN), 10-2
Cons. Round 1: loses by decision to Gabe Rahek (WIS), 2-0
Jodeh is eliminated
149: Kyle Langenderfer
Champ. Round 1: loses by fall to #1 Zain Retherford (PSU), 2:06
Cons. Round 1: wins by fall over Wade Hodges (MD), 3:44
Cons. Round 2: loses by fall to Cody Burcher (OSU), 0:57
Kyle Langenderfer is eliminated
157: #2 Isaiah Martinez
Champ. Round 1: wins by tech fall over TJ Ruschell (WIS), 24-8
Quarterfinals: wins by decision over #7 Tyler Berger (NEB), 14-11
Semifinals: wins by decision over #6 Brian Murphy (MICH), 5-4
165: #3 Steven Rodrigues
Champ. Round 1: wins by major decision over Brendan Burnham (MD), 15-5
Quarterfinals: wins by decision over #6 Austin Wilson (NEB), 3-1
Semifinals: loses by major decision to #2 Bo Jordan (OSU), 10-2
174: #3 Zac Brunson
Champ. Round 1: wins by tech fall over #14 Andrew Hoselton (PUR, 16-0
Quarterfinals: wins by decision over #6 Micah Barnes (NEB), 6-2
Semifinals: wins by fall over #2 Alex Meyer (Iowa), 2:00
184: #7 Jeff Koepke
Champ. Round 1: wins by major decision over Mark Colabucci (MD), 17-7
Quarterfinals: loses by decision to Matt McCutcheon (PSU), 6-2
Cons. Round 2: wins by decision over Chris Pfarr (MINN), 11-5
Cons. Round 3: wins by decision over Kenny Courts (OSU), 5-1
197: Andre Lee
Champ. Round 1: loses by decision to #8 Jacob Cooper (MSU, 3-1 (OT)
Cons. Round 1: loses by fall to Jake Masengale (IND), 1:32
Andre Lee is eliminated
HWT: #7 Brooks Black
Champ. Round 1: wins by decision over Conan Jennings (NW), 4-0
Quarterfinals: loses by tech fall to #2 Kyle Snyder (OSU), 26-11
Cons. Round 2: wins by decision #8 Nick Nevills (PSU), 5-3
Cons. Round 3: wins by decision over #3 Sam Stoll (Iowa), 3-0
TEAM STANDINGS
1. Penn State 133.0
2. Iowa 106.0
3. Ohio State 100.0
4. Nebraska 97.5
5. Rutgers 90.5
6. ILLINOIS 78.5
7. Michigan 70.5
8. Wisconsin 53.5
9. Minnesota 38.0
10. Purdue 30.0
11. Indiana 26.0
11. Michigan State 10.5
13. Northwestern 8.0
14. Maryland 7.5
