SAINT CHARLES, MO. - Redshirt senior and No. 2-ranked Emery Parker went 5-0 to take the title in the Gold Division for 184-pounds at the Lindenwood Open on Saturday. The No. 16-ranked Fighting Illini had nine wrestlers place at the tournament. Competing unattached, freshman Danny Braunagel placed second in the 165-pound Gold Division. Redshirt junior Joey Gunther took third at 165-pounds in the Gold Division, and redshirt senior Andre Lee also wrestled to third-place in the 197-pound Gold bracket. Wrestling unattached, freshman Zac Braunagel also took third-place in the 174-pound Gold Division.
Parker looked dominant in the early stages of his run to the 184-pound title. He defeated his first opponent, Thomas Penola of Purdue, in a 12-2 major decision, and then took down Sergio Villalobos by tech. fall, 18-3. Parker again was in control in the quarterfinal match, earning another major dec. victory by a final score of 12-4 over Colten Gonzalez. He advanced to the championship match after defeating Daniel Bush of Iowa State in a 5-2 decision. The championship match featured Parker against Gavin Hoffman from No. 2 Ohio State, with Parker edging out Hoffman with a 5-4 decision to win 184-pound championship.
Freshman Danny Braunagel was consistent for the Orange and Blue once again, fresh off his first-place finish in Elite bracket at the Maryville Open last weekend. Competing unattached again this weekend, the freshman controlled the first two matches, winning both by tech. fall. He first defeated Iowa's Tristan McDonald by tech. fall 21-2, and then achieved a 21-7 tech. fall win over Iowa State's Brady Jennings. Braunagel defeated Nate Higgins in a 14-7 decision to advance to the finals, where he came up just short against Iowa's Nelson Brands in a 3-1 decision. Braunagel has placed in the top-2 in his first two collegiate tournaments.
Redshirt junior Joey Gunther wrestled his way to a third-place finish in the 165-pound Gold bracket. Gunther earned major dec. victories in the first two rounds, defeating Matt Landgraff, 13-2, in the first round and Tyler Harrington, 10-2, in the quarterfinals. Gunther dropped the semi-final matchup to eventual 165-pound winner Nelson Brands, but bounced back in wrestlebacks. Gunther won his two wrestleback matches in tight, 3-2 decisions to finish third, defeating Emil Soehnlen of Purdue and then Nate Higgins of SIU-Edwardsville.
Competing unattached, freshman Zac Braunagel placed third in the 174-pound Gold bracket. After receiving a bye in the first round, Braunagel defeated Maryville's John Anderson in a 10-5 decision to advance to the semifinals. After losing the semifinal matchup, Braunagel responded in wrestlebacks win a 9-6 dec. over Trevor Lawson. Braunagel was awarded third-place after a medical forfeit by his opponent in the third-place bout.
Redshirt senior Andre Lee took home third-place in the Gold Division for 197-pounds. He won his first two matched by decision, besting Missouri's Taylor Watkins, 7-4, in the first round and Kaden Sauer, 3-2, in the quarterfinal. Following his loss in the semifinal matchup, Lee headed to the consolation bracket where he defeated Watkins again by dec., 5-2. Lee edged out Ryan Vasbinder in a 3-2 dec. to win the third-place bout.
Additionally, four more Illini placed at the Lindenwood Open. Competing unattached at 125-pounds, freshman Justin Cardani wrestled his way to the semifinals of the Gold bracket. Cardani placed fourth, and has now placed twice in the first two tournaments of his career. Senior Mousa Jodeh won three matches in wrestlebacks on his way to a fifth place finish in the 149-pound Gold Division, including a pin against Indiana's Graham Rooks.
Also reaching the semifinals was Eric Barone in the 157-pound Gold Division. Barone pinned Chris Gillesse of McKendree University in his first round matchup, and placed sixth at the tournament. Redshirt freshman Matt Wroblewski recorded three wrestleback victories, including a pin against Kaden Sauer of Iowa State in the first 30 seconds of the match. Wroblewski placed for the second consecutive tournament, finishing fifth today in the 197-pound Gold bracket.
Up next, the Illini will travel to Las Vegas for the Cliff Keen Invite on Friday, Nov. 30-Saturday, Dec. 1. Competition begins at 11 a.m. CT on both days.
Illinois Individual Results (Full Brackets)
Gold Division- 125
125 // Justin Cardani* // 3-2 // 4th Place
- Champ. Round 1 - Justin Cardani (Illinois) won by decision over Austin Macias (Southern Illinois Edwardsville) (Dec 8-3)
- Quarterfinal - Justin Cardani (Illinois) won by decision over Cameron Valdiviez (Missouri) (Dec 8-7)
- Semifinal - Malik Heinselman (Ohio State) won by decision over Justin Cardani (Illinois) (Dec 8-6)
- Cons. Semi - Justin Cardani (Illinois) won by decision over Tyler Kreith (Maryville University) (Dec 4-3)
- 3rd Place Match - Cameron Valdiviez (Missouri) won by major decision over Justin Cardani (Illinois) (Maj 13-4)
Gold Division- 133
133 // Andy O'Brien // 0-2
- Champ. Round 1 - Charles McNeal (McKendree University) won by decision over Andy O'Brien (Illinois) (Dec 9-3)
- Cons. Round 1 - Andy O'Brien (Illinois) received a bye () (Bye)
- Cons. Round 2 - Todd Small (Cyclone RTC) won by major decision over Andy O'Brien (Illinois) (Maj 19-9)
Gold Division- 149
149 // Jake Silzer // 2-2
- Champ. Round 1 - Gavin Londoff (Lindenwood (Mo.)) won by decision over Jake Silzer (Illinois) (Dec 4-1)
- Cons. Round 1 - Jake Silzer (Illinois) won by decision over Juan Rivera (Baker (Kan.)) (Dec 4-1)
- Cons. Round 2 - Jake Silzer (Illinois) won by decision over Eric Yang (Northwestern) (Dec 2-0)
- Cons. Round 3 - Mousa Jodeh (Illinois) won by decision over Jake Silzer (Illinois) (Dec 4-2)
Gold Division- 149
149 // Ryder Punke // 0-2
- Champ. Round 1 - Graham Rooks (Indiana) won by decision over Ryder Punke (Illinois) (Dec 11-4)
- Cons. Round 1 - Ryder Punke (Illinois) received a bye () (Bye)
- Cons. Round 2 - Isaiah Kemper (McKendree University) won by decision over Ryder Punke (Illinois) (Dec 9-4)
Gold Division- 149
149 // Mousa Jodeh // 3-2 // 5th Place
- Champ. Round 1 - Isaiah Kemper (McKendree University) won by decision over Mousa Jodeh (Illinois) (Dec 6-2)
- Cons. Round 1 - Mousa Jodeh (Illinois) received a bye () (Bye)
- Cons. Round 2 - Mousa Jodeh (Illinois) won by fall over Graham Rooks (Indiana) (Fall 1:42)
- Cons. Round 3 - Mousa Jodeh (Illinois) won by decision over Jake Silzer (Illinois) (Dec 4-2)
- Cons. Semi - Tyshawn Williams (Southern Illinois Edwardsville) won by decision over Mousa Jodeh (Illinois) (Dec 6-2)
- 5th Place Match - Mousa Jodeh (Illinois) won by medical forfeit over Gavin DeWitt (Maryville University) (MFF)
Gold Division- 149
149 // Demarius Smith // 1-2
- Champ. Round 1 - Brock Mauller (Missouri) won by tech fall over Demarius Smith (Illinois) (TF 20-4)
- Cons. Round 1 - Demarius Smith (Illinois) won by decision over Casper Sherow (Missouri Valley) (Dec 6-2)
- Cons. Round 2 - Gavin Londoff (Lindenwood (Mo.)) won by decision over Demarius Smith (Illinois) (Dec 1-0)
Gold Division- 157
157 // Eric Barone // 3-3 // 6th Place
- Champ. Round 1 - Eric Barone (Illinois) won by fall over Chris Gillesse (McKendree University) (Fall 1:55)
- Champ. Round 2 - Eric Barone (Illinois) won by decision over Preston Stephenson (Iowa) (Dec 12-5)
- Quarterfinal - Eric Barone (Illinois) won by decision over Ethan Karsten (Iowa Central Community College) (Dec 9-5)
- Semifinal - Jeren Glosser (Iowa) won by fall over Eric Barone (Illinois) (Fall 6:35)
- Cons. Round 4 - Tyler Mann (Ouachita Baptist University) won by medical forfeit over Eric Barone (Illinois) (MFF)
- 5th Place Match - Erich Byelick (Northwestern) won by medical forfeit over Eric Barone (Illinois) (MFF)
Gold Division- 157
157 // Johnny Mologousis // 2-2
- Champ. Round 1 - Johnny Mologousis (Illinois) won by tech fall over Nick McGhee (Maryville University) (TF 16-0)
- Champ. Round 2 - Johnny Mologousis (Illinois) won by decision over Marcus Thompson (Missouri Valley) (Dec 5-0)
- Quarterfinal - Jeren Glosser (Iowa) won by decision over Johnny Mologousis (Illinois) (Dec 9-5)
- Cons. Round 3 - Ethan Karsten (Iowa Central Community College) won by decision over Johnny Mologousis (Illinois) (Dec 10-6)
Gold Division- 165
165 // Colin Carr // 0-2
- Champ. Round 1 - Nate Higgins (Southern Illinois Edwardsville) won by major decision over Colin Carr (Illinois) (Maj 13-2)
- Cons. Round 1 - Colin Carr (Illinois) received a bye () (Bye)
- Cons. Round 2 - Kyle Jolas (Lindenwood (Mo.)) won by decision over Colin Carr (Illinois) (Dec 6-3)
165 // Joey Gunther // 4-1 // 3rd Place
- Champ. Round 1 - Joey Gunther (Illinois) won by major decision over Matt Landgraff (Oklahoma City) (Maj 13-2)
- Quarterfinal - Joey Gunther (Illinois) won by major decision over Tyler Harrington (Maryville University) (Maj 10-2)
- Semifinal - Nelson Brands (Iowa) won by decision over Joey Gunther (Illinois) (Dec 3-1)
- Cons. Semi - Joey Gunther (Illinois) won by decision over Emil Soehnlen (Purdue) (Dec 3-2)
- 3rd Place Match - Joey Gunther (Illinois) won by decision over Nate Higgins (Southern Illinois Edwardsville) (Dec 3-2)
Gold Division- 165
165 // Danny Braunagel* // 3-1 // 2nd Place
- Champ. Round 1 - Danny Braunagel (Illinois) won by tech fall over Tristan McDonald (Iowa) (TF 21-2)
- Quarterfinal - Danny Braunagel (Illinois) won by tech fall over Brady Jennings (Iowa State) (TF 22-7)
- Semifinal - Danny Braunagel (Illinois) won by decision over Nate Higgins (Southern Illinois Edwardsville) (Dec 14-7)
- 1st Place Match - Nelson Brands (Iowa) won by decision over Danny Braunagel (Illinois) (Dec 3-1)
Gold Division- 165
165 // Jack Stein* // 0-2
- Champ. Round 1 - Tyler Harrington (Maryville University) won by decision over Jack Stein (Illinois) (Dec 8-3)
- Cons. Round 1 - Matt Landgraff (Oklahoma City) won by decision over Jack Stein (Illinois) (Dec 11-9)
Gold Division- 165
165 // Tim McCarthy // 0-2
- Champ. Round 1 - Nelson Brands (Iowa) won by tech fall over Tim McCarthy (Illinois) (TF 20-4)
- Cons. Round 1 - Trezdon O`Neal (Marian University (IN)) won by fall over Tim McCarthy (Illinois) (Fall 3:53)
Gold Division- 174
174 // Zac Braunagel* // 3-1 // 3rd Place
- Champ. Round 1 - Zac Braunagel (Illinois) received a bye () (Bye)
- Quarterfinal - Zac Braunagel (Illinois) won by decision over John Anderson (Maryville University) (Dec 10-5)
- Semifinal - Jacob Covaciu (Wisconsin) won by decision over Zac Braunagel (Illinois) (Dec 4-1)
- Cons. Semi - Zac Braunagel (Illinois) won by decision over Trevor Lawson (Lindsey Wilson (Ky.)) (Dec 9-6)
- 3rd Place Match - Zac Braunagel (Illinois) won by medical forfeit over Nick Foster (McKendree University) (MFF)
Gold Division- 184
184 // Emery Parker // 5-0 // 1st Place
- Champ. Round 1 - Emery Parker (Illinois) won by major decision over Thomas Penola (Purdue) (Maj 12-2)
- Champ. Round 2 - Emery Parker (Illinois) won by tech fall over Sergio Villalobos (Southern Illinois Edwardsville) (TF 18-3)
- Quarterfinal - Emery Parker (Illinois) won by major decision over Colton Gonzalez (Lindsey Wilson (Ky.)) (Maj 12-4)
- Semifinal - Emery Parker (Illinois) won by decision over Daniel Bush (Iowa State) (Dec 5-2)
- 1st Place Match - Emery Parker (Illinois) won by decision over Gavin Hoffman (Ohio State) (Dec 5-4)
Gold Division- 197
197 // Matt Wroblewski // 3-2// 5th Place
- Champ. Round 1 - Ryan Vasbinder (McKendree University) won by fall over Matt Wroblewski (Illinois) (Fall 2:23)
- Cons. Round 1 - Matt Wroblewski (Illinois) won by tech fall over John Kramer (Lindenwood (Mo.)) (TF 19-3)
- Cons. Round 2 - Matt Wroblewski (Illinois) won by decision over David Dow (Baker (Kan.)) (Dec 4-1)
- Cons. Round 3 - Matt Wroblewski (Illinois) won by fall over Kaden Sauer (Iowa State) (Fall 0:31)
- Cons. Semi - Ryan Vasbinder (McKendree University) won by decision over Matt Wroblewski (Illinois) (Dec 4-2)
Gold Division- 197
197 // Brian Burns // 2-2
- Champ. Round 1 - Brian Burns (Illinois) won by decision over John Kramer (Lindenwood (Mo.)) (Dec 13-8)
- Quarterfinal - Ryan Vasbinder (McKendree University) won by decision over Brian Burns (Illinois) (Dec 3-0)
- Cons. Round 2 - Brian Burns (Illinois) won by medical forfeit over Joe Teague (Iowa State) (MFF)
- Cons. Round 3 - Taylor Watkins (Missouri) won by decision over Brian Burns (Illinois) (Dec 3-0)
Gold Division- 197
197 // Andre Lee // 4-1 // 3rd Place
- Champ. Round 1 - Andre Lee (Illinois) won by decision over Taylor Watkins (Missouri) (Dec 7-4)
- Quarterfinal - Andre Lee (Illinois) won by decision over Kaden Sauer (Iowa State) (Dec 3-2)
- Semifinal - Lucas Davison (Northwestern) won by decision over Andre Lee (Illinois) (Dec 8-3)
- Cons. Semi - Andre Lee (Illinois) won by decision over Taylor Watkins (Missouri) (Dec 5-2)
- 3rd Place Match - Andre Lee (Illinois) won by decision over Ryan Vasbinder (McKendree University) (Dec 3-2)
Gold Division- HWT
HWT // Deuce Rachal // 1-2
- Champ. Round 1 - Duece Rachal (Illinois) won by decision over Jonathon Morris (Missouri Valley) (Dec 4-3)
- Champ. Round 2 - Korey Walker (Oklahoma City) won by decision over Duece Rachal (Illinois) (Dec 8-3)
- Cons. Round 2 - Duece Rachal (Illinois) received a bye () (Bye)
- Cons. Round 3 - Logan Radik (Maryville University) won by decision over Duece Rachal (Illinois) (Dec 6-4)
* wrestled unattached
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