SAINT LOUIS - Fighting Illini wrestling saw three wrestlers take home individual titles at the Maryville Open on Saturday. Redshirt freshman Johnny Mologousis (157) and redshirt seniors Andre Lee (197) and Deuce Rachal (HWT) each totaled four victories en route to winning championships in the Elite bracket in their respective weight classes.
"We had some positive things from the tournament today, and some great things from our younger guys," said head coach Jim Heffernan. "The Braunagel twins got off to a great start and scored a lot of points. Justin Cardani also looked very good winning. Johnny Mologousis found ways to win throughout the day. Deuce Rachal and Andre Lee showed much more offense this week. It was good to get a lot out of the practice room and into a competition setting. We will hopefully have a couple guys come off the injured list and get us closer to full strength in the next couple weeks."
Mologusis, a native of LaGrange, Ill., wrestled to a 4-0 decision over McKendree University's Nate Smalling in his first round matchup in the 157-pound Elite bracket. He then cruised to a 14-0 major decision over James Warner of Findlay University in the quarterfinals. In the semifinal matchup after a tightly contested first period with Mologousis ahead 2-0 after an early takedown, Mologousis pinned Maryville's Matt Pratt to advance to the 157-pound title bout against Jarrett Jacques of Missouri. After going down 2-0 to start the match, Mologousis received a point for an escape and then had a takedown to end the period with a 3-2 advantage. Mologousis picked up another escape to start the second period, and hung on to win the Elite bracket 157-pound championship in a 4-3 decision.
In the 197-pound Elite bracket, eventual champion Andre Lee had a strong start to his day, pinning Tyler Scott of Indianapolis in the second period of the first round. In the quarterfinal matchup, Lee faced his toughest test of the day from fellow Illini wrestler Matt Wroblewski. Lee and Wroblewski wrestled to overtime where Lee took the match 3-1 after a takedown in the extra period. In the semifinal matchup against Maryville's Ethan Sherertz, the match was fairly tight after the first two periods, with Lee holding a 5-3 advantage. Lee was able to break the match open early in the period, picking up five points via an escape, a takedown and a two-point nearfall to extend his lead to 10-3 halfway through the final period. Lee picked up three more points to win the match 13-4 by major decision. He was awarded the 197-pound title after a medical forfeit by opponent Jared Rennick.
Redshirt senior Deuce Rachal was dominant in his victories throughout the Heavyweight Elite bracket. Rachal picked up pins in each of his first three victories of the tournament. After Missouri Valley College's Jesse Gomez took the lead from Rachal 3-2 in the second period, Rachal responded soon after, pinning Gomez to take the match and move on to the quarterfinals to face Matthew Jones out of Central Baptist. Rachal jumped out to an early 4-1 advantage over Jones after two takedowns, and then proceeded to pin Jones near the end of the first period. Riding off the momentum, Rachal defeated Luke Diener of McKendree by decision 7-1 to capture the Heavyweight Elite title.
Redshirt freshman Matt Wroblewski earned a third-place finish in the 197-pound Elite bracket today at Maryville. After dropping the close match to teammate Andre Lee in the quarterfinal, Wroblewski dominated his first matchup of wrestlebacks with a 9-2 decision over Duane Deerwester of Indianapolis. In the consolation semis, Wroblewski faced another tough test from another Illini teammate, junior Brian Burns. Wroblewski again went to overtime, this time securing a 3-2 overtime victory. He defeated Taylor Watkins of Missouri in a 5-2 decision to claim third place. Burns defeated Sherertz by tech. fall 16-0 to earn fifth place in the 197-pound Elite bracket.
Redshirt junior Carver James put in a hard day of work on his way to placing third at 174-pounds in the Elite bracket. James won his first two matches by decision before being sent to the consolation bracket after a narrow loss by decision to McKendree's Nick Foster, 2-0. After advancing after two medical forfeits by opponents, James defeated Fillipek in a 9-6 decision to advance to the third-place bout. He defeated Missouri's Jeremiah Kent by rule to capture third place in the 174-pound Elite bracket.
Redshirt freshman Josh Contreras and redshirt senior Nick Gasbarro also placed for the Orange and Blue, finishing fourth in the 125-pound Elite bracket and sixth in the 165-pound bracket, respectively.
Competing unattached, Illinois wrestlers Danny Braunagel and Zac Braunagel wrestled to titles in the Elite brackets at 165-pounds and 157-pounds, respectively. Danny Braunagel won his first match by tech. fall 18-3 over Arman Mansouri of Lyon College, and then the quarterfinal matchup over Elias Vaoifi of Missouri Valley College by major dec. 17-5. He won again by tech. fall 21-6 over Lindenwood's Kyle Jonas before defeating Quiante Wagner of McKendree by decision 11-4 it the championships match.
After receiving a bye in the first round and winning the second round after a medical forfeit by his opponent, Braunagel won by tech. fall in the quarterfinal over Nathan Vandermeer of Findlay, 25-10. Braunagel then won the semifinal in a 7-5 decision over McKendree's Dan Fillipek, and took the title match over McKendree's Nick Foster in an 8-5 decision.
Also competing unattached, Illinois freshman Justin Cardani wrestled to the title in the 125-pound amateur bracket. Cardani pinned Terrin Machart of Purdue in his first match, and then won the next three matches by decision on his way to winning the championship.
Up next, the Illini will compete at a tournament for the second consecutive a weekend as the team will head to the Lindenwood Open in St. Charles, Mo next Saturday, November 17. The tournament will begin at 9 a.m. CT.
Illinois Individual Results (Full Brackets)
Elite 125
125 // Josh Contreras // 2-2 // 4th Place
- Quarterfinal - Josh Contreras (Illinois) won by decision over D.J. Smith (Indianapolis ) (Dec 5-4)
- Semifinal - Carlos Jacquez (Lindenwood) won by fall over Josh Contreras (Illinois) (Fall 2:28)
- Cons. Semi - Josh Contreras (Illinois) won by decision over LaMont Wilson (Kentucky Wesleyan) (Dec 9-2)
- 3rd Place Match - Tyler Kreith (Maryville University) won by decision over Josh Contreras (Illinois) (Dec 4-1)
Elite 133
133 // Andy O'Brien // 0-2
- Champ. Round 1 - Andy O'Brien (Illinois) received a bye () (Bye)
- Quarterfinal - Alex Waggoner (Maryville University) won by decision over Andy O'Brien (Illinois) (Dec 7-2)
- Cons. Round 2 - Kolby Smith (Maryville University) won by decision over Andy O'Brien (Illinois) (Dec 5-4)
Elite 149
149 // Jake Silzer // 1-2
- Champ. Round 1 - Jake Silzer (Illinois) received a bye () (Bye)
- Champ. Round 2 - Jake Silzer (Illinois) won by decision over Isaiah Kemper (McKendree) (Dec 4-3)
- Quarterfinal - Brock Mauller (Missouri) won by decision over Jake Silzer (Illinois) (Dec 8-2)
- Cons. Round 4 - Demarius Smith (Illinois) won by decision over Jake Silzer (Illinois) (Dec 6-5)
Elite 149
149 // Ryder Punke // 1-2
- Champ. Round 1 - Ryder Punke (Illinois) received a bye () (Bye)
- Champ. Round 2 - Ryder Punke (Illinois) won by decision over Ryan Skonieczny (Findlay) (Dec 3-1)
- Quarterfinal - Alex Butler (Missouri) won by decision over Ryder Punke (Illinois) (Dec 6-1)
- Cons. Round 4 - Seth Johnson (Missouri Valley) won by decision over Ryder Punke (Illinois) (Dec 4-3)
Elite 149
149 // Mousa Jodeh // 1-2
- Champ. Round 1 - Mousa Jodeh (Illinois) received a bye () (Bye)
- Champ. Round 2 - Mousa Jodeh (Illinois) won by fall over Seth Johnson (Missouri Valley) (Fall 2:47)
- Quarterfinal - Gavin Londoff (Lindenwood) won in tie breaker - 1 over Mousa Jodeh (Illinois) (TB-1 2-1)
- Cons. Round 4 - Lawyer Beckum (Drury) won by decision over Mousa Jodeh (Illinois) (Dec 8-4)
Elite 149
149 // Demarius Smith // 3-2
- Champ. Round 1 - Demarius Smith (Illinois) received a bye () (Bye)
- Champ. Round 2 - Gavin DeWitt (Maryville University) won by major decision over Demarius Smith (Illinois) (Maj 11-1)
- Cons. Round 2 - Demarius Smith (Illinois) won by fall over Raivyn Alicea (Pro-style Wrestling) (Fall 4:31)
- Cons. Round 3 - Demarius Smith (Illinois) won by major decision over Bryce Bachowski (Missouri Baptist University) (Maj 12-2)
- Cons. Round 4 - Demarius Smith (Illinois) won by decision over Jake Silzer (Illinois) (Dec 6-5)
- Cons. Round 5 - Isaiah Kemper (McKendree) won by decision over Demarius Smith (Illinois) (Dec 4-3)
Elite 149
149 // Dylan Thurston // 0-2
- Champ. Round 1 - Dylan Thurston (Illinois) received a bye () (Bye)
- Champ. Round 2 - Brock Mauller (Missouri) won by major decision over Dylan Thurston (Illinois) (Maj 18-4)
- Cons. Round 2 - Dylan Thurston (Illinois) received a bye () (Bye)
- Cons. Round 3 - Isaiah Kemper (McKendree) won by medical forfeit over Dylan Thurston (Illinois) (MFF)
Elite 157
157 // Johnny Mologousis // 4-0 // 1st Place
- Champ. Round 1 - Johnny Mologousis (Illinois) won by decision over Nate Smalling (McKendree) (Dec 4-0)
- Quarterfinal - Johnny Mologousis (Illinois) won by major decision over James Wimer (Findlay) (Maj 14-0)
- Semifinal - Johnny Mologousis (Illinois) won by fall over Matt Pratt (Maryville University) (Fall 2:56)
- 1st Place Match - Johnny Mologousis (Illinois) won by decision over Jarrett Jacques (Missouri) (Dec 4-3)
Elite 165
165 // Colin Carr // 1-2
- Champ. Round 1 - Colin Carr (Illinois) won by fall over Tony Bustos (Pro-style Wrestling) (Fall 2:25)
- Quarterfinal - Kyle Jolas (Lindenwood) won by decision over Colin Carr (Illinois) (Dec 6-2)
- Cons. Round 2 - James Donald Waters (Indianapolis ) won by fall over Colin Carr (Illinois) (Fall 0:38)
165 // Nick Gasbarro // 2-3 // 6th Place
- Champ. Round 1 - Nick Gasbarro (Illinois) won by major decision over Grant Taylor (Drury) (Maj 12-4)
- Quarterfinal - Nick Gasbarro (Illinois) won by decision over Tyler Harrington (Maryville University) (Dec 3-1)
- Semifinal - Qiante Wagner (McKendree) won by decision over Nick Gasbarro (Illinois) (Dec 6-3)
- Cons. Semi - James Donald Waters (Indianapolis ) won by medical forfeit over Nick Gasbarro (Illinois) (MFF)
- 5th Place Match - William Seibert (Missouri Valley) won by medical forfeit over Nick Gasbarro (Illinois) (MFF)
Elite 174
174 // David Riojas // 3-2
- Champ. Round 1 - David Riojas (Illinois) received a bye () (Bye)
- Champ. Round 2 - David Riojas (Illinois) won by fall over Jake Mattson (Missouri Baptist University) (Fall 1:59)
- Quarterfinal - John Anderson (Maryville University) won by fall over David Riojas (Illinois) (Fall 5:00)
- Cons. Round 4 - David Riojas (Illinois) won by decision over Jonathan Stewart (Williams Baptist University ) (Dec 7-4)
- Cons. Round 5 - Carver James (Illinois) won by medical forfeit over David Riojas (Illinois) (MFF)
Elite 174
174 // Jack Stein // 0-2
- Champ. Round 1 - Jack Stein (Illinois) received a bye () (Bye)
- Champ. Round 2 - Jake DiBenedetto (Illinois) won by decision over Jack Stein (Illinois) (Dec 5-0)
- Cons. Round 2 - Jack Stein (Illinois) received a bye () (Bye)
- Cons. Round 3 - Jeremiah Kent (Missouri) won by tech fall over Jack Stein (Illinois) (TF 18-0)
Elite 174
174 // Carver James // 6-1 // 3rd Place
- Champ. Round 1 - Carver James (Illinois) won by decision over Jeremiah Kent (Missouri) (Dec 5-2)
- Champ. Round 2 - Carver James (Illinois) won by decision over Jonathan Stewart (Williams Baptist University ) (Dec 3-2)
- Quarterfinal - Nick Foster (McKendree) won by decision over Carver James (Illinois) (Dec 2-0)
- Cons. Round 4 - Carver James (Illinois) won by medical forfeit over Jake Mattson (Missouri Baptist University) (MFF)
- Cons. Round 5 - Carver James (Illinois) won by medical forfeit over David Riojas (Illinois) (MFF)
- Cons. Semi - Carver James (Illinois) won by decision over Dan Fillipek (McKendree) (Dec 9-6)
- 3rd Place Match - Carver James (Illinois) won by rule over Jeremiah Kent (Missouri) (RULE)
Elite 197
197 // Matt Wroblewski // 5-1// 3rd Place
- Champ. Round 1 - Matt Wroblewski (Illinois) won by decision over Taylor Watkins (Missouri) (Dec 8-2)
- Quarterfinal - Andre Lee (Illinois) won in sudden victory - 1 over Matt Wroblewski (Illinois) (SV-1 3-1)
- Cons. Round 2 - Matt Wroblewski (Illinois) won by major decision over Aric Bohn (Southern Illinois Edwardsville) (Maj 9-1)
- Cons. Round 3 - Matt Wroblewski (Illinois) won by decision over Duane Deerwester (Indianapolis ) (Dec 9-2)
- Cons. Semi - Matt Wroblewski (Illinois) won in sudden victory - 2 over Brian Burns (Illinois) (SV-2 3-2)
- 3rd Place Match - Matt Wroblewski (Illinois) won by decision over Taylor Watkins (Missouri) (Dec 5-2)
Elite 197
197 // Brian Burns // 3-2 // 5th Place
- Champ. Round 1 - Brian Burns (Illinois) won by decision over Brian Wagner (Indianapolis ) (Dec 7-3)
- Quarterfinal - Brian Burns (Illinois) won by decision over Jared McKindley (Lindenwood) (Dec 3-2)
- Semifinal - Jared Rennick (Drury) won by decision over Brian Burns (Illinois) (Dec 5-3)
- Cons. Semi - Matt Wroblewski (Illinois) won in sudden victory - 2 over Brian Burns (Illinois) (SV-2 3-2)
- 5th Place Match - Brian Burns (Illinois) won by tech fall over Ethan Sherertz (Maryville University) (TF 16-0)
Elite 197
197 // Andre Lee // 4-2 // 1st Place
- Champ. Round 1 - Andre Lee (Illinois) won by fall over Tyler Scott (Indianapolis ) (Fall 4:19)
- Quarterfinal - Andre Lee (Illinois) won in sudden victory - 1 over Matt Wroblewski (Illinois) (SV-1 3-1)
- Semifinal - Andre Lee (Illinois) won by major decision over Ethan Sherertz (Maryville University) (Maj 13-4)
- 1st Place Match - Andre Lee (Illinois) won by medical forfeit over Jared Rennick (Drury) (MFF)
Elite HWT
HWT // Deuce Rachal // 4-0 // 1st Place
- Champ. Round 1 - Deuce Rachal (Illinois) won by fall over Jesse Gomez (Missouri Valley) (Fall 3:48)
- Quarterfinal - Deuce Rachal (Illinois) won by fall over Matthew Jones (Central Baptist) (Fall 1:49)
- Semifinal - Deuce Rachal (Illinois) won by fall over Colton McKiernan (Southern Illinois Edwardsville) (Fall 0:52)
- 1st Place Match - Deuce Rachal (Illinois) won by decision over Luke Diener (McKendree) (Dec 7-1)
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