CHAMPAIGN, ILL. — Former Illini wrestlers BJ Futrell and Jimmy Kennedy will compete at USA Wrestling Olympic Team Trials this weekend in Iowa City. Both grapplers will be wrestling in the men's freestyle 65 kilogram (143 pounds) weight class. Kennedy placed third in the weight class at U.S. World Team Trials last year.
For Futrell, the 2013 Illinois graduate earned All-American honors at both the 2011 and 2012 NCAA Championships, his best finish coming in 2012 when he placed sixth. After his senior season was cut short due to a neck injury, 133-pounder finished his college career with a 108-35 overall record, was a two-time Academic All-American in 2011 and 2012, and currently ranks second in Illinois history in pins (38).
Professionally, Futrell has wrestled at 65kg for the Cliff Keen Wrestling Club. With Cliff Keen, Futrell's professional career has been highlighted by a third-place finish at 2014 Dave Schultz Memorial, a runner-up finish at the 2013 NYAC Holiday International, and a Minnesota Storm title.
Hailing from Park Forest, Illinois, Futrell was a two-time IHSA state champion, winning back-to-back years in 2007 and 2008. In addition to his 154-19 overall record, he was a three-time Fargo Freestyle All-American.
Since graduating from the University of Illinois in 2011, Kennedy has competed on the global stage each of the last four seasons with the New York AC club team. Most recently, the Illini graduate placed third at U.S. World Team Trials. Two years ago, Kennedy placed 10th in World Championships, was the Phase II World Team Trials champion and the U.S. Open champion.
At Illinois, Kennedy was the Illini's primary starter at 133 pounds as a freshman and sophomore before moving up to 141 pounds as a junior. A three-time All-American, finished in the top-five in each of his last three seasons, highlighted by a fourth-place finish in 2008. At the conference level, Kennedy placed at Big Ten Championships all four years of his career, his best finish coming in 2008 when he placed runner-up.
Originally from Ingleside, Illinois, Kennedy was a two-time Illinois state champion at Fox Lake Grant High School.
USA Olympic Trials will be held at Carver-Hawkeye Arena on April 9-10. For full event and ticket information, go to
http://www.iowacitytorio.com/tickets
Full Schedule
Saturday, April 9
Men's freestyle (65 kg and 125 kg)
Women's freestyle (58 kg, 63 kg and 69 kg)
Greco-Roman (59 kg, 66 kg, 85 kg and 98 kg)
8:00 a.m. – Doors open to Carver-Hawkeye Arena
9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. – Preliminaries through Challenge Tournament finals
5:00 p.m. – Doors open to Carver-Hawkeye Arena
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. – Best two of three Championship Series
Sunday, April 10
Men's freestyle (57 kg, 74 kg, 86 kg, 97 kg)
Women's freestyle (48 kg, 53 kg, 75 kg)
Greco-Roman (75 kg and 130 kg)
8:00 a.m. – Doors open to Carver-Hawkeye Arena
9:00 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. – Preliminaries through Challenge Tournament finals
5:00 p.m. – Doors open to Carver-Hawkeye Arena
6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. – Best two of three Championship Series.
