NWCA Release

MANHEIM, Pa. - Three Illinois wrestlers were named All-Americans by the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA) on Friday. Senior Travis Piotrowski (133) was named a first team All-American, and redshirt freshmen Danny Braunagel (165) and Zac Braunagel (184) were named honorable mention All-Americans. 

Each year the NWCA recognizes Division I student-athletes by naming All-Americans based on a top-eight weight class finish at the national championships. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, this year's championships were canceled. For the 2019-20 season, All-American honors were based on each wrestler's overall body of work through the conference tournaments and up to the national championships.

Senior Travis Piotrowski picked up his first All-America accolade on Friday, earning first team honors. A four-time national qualifier, Piotrowski went 27-4 overall at 133-pounds in his final campaign after wrestling his first three seasons at 125-pounds. His 27 wins were a career-best and the most on the team this season. Piotrowski was an undefeated, 14-0, in dual bouts, and tallied a 9-0 record in Big Ten duals. He led the team in dual points with 53. Piotrowski placed fifth at 133-pounds at Big Ten Championships, and ended his career with a record of 86-41.

Redshirt freshman Danny Braunagel was named an honorable mention All-American at 165-pounds. Braunagel ended his first season with an overall record of 23-9, finishing second on the team in wins. He was second on the team in dual points with 36, going 10-3 in dual matchups. He was 6-2 in B1G dual bouts. Braunagel also led the Illini with four wins by tech. fall. Braunagel finished sixth at 165-pounds at the conference tournament.

Redshirt freshman Zac Braunagel achieved honorable mention All-American status at 184-pounds. Braunagel finished his season with an overall record of 21-10. His 21 victories were good for third on the team. Going 9-5 in dual bouts, his 35 dual points also ranked third-most for the Illini this season. He led the team with nine major decision victories. 

Illinois wrestling went 10-4 overall and 6-3 in Big Ten duals in the 2019-20 season, good for fourth place in the final conference dual standings. The Illini had eight wrestlers qualify for NCAA Championships, the most for the team since qualifying all 10 of its starters in 2014-15. 

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