Dec. 5 - 11, 2022

Danny Braunagel | R-JR., Wrestling | Major: Management

Danny Braunagel continued his impressive start to the 2022-23 season by posting a pair of wins for the No. 19-ranked Illini in the team's home-opening dual split vs Chattanooga and No. 17 Pitt, on Dec. 3 at State Farm Center. 

Braunagel, who opened the year with second-place finishes at both the Michigan State Open and the Tiger Style Invite, also defeated his opponents in matchups vs. Buffalo and NC State in mid-November, setting the stage for his performance in Champaign. 

He earned his first victory of the day via technical fall over Chattanooga's Jackson Hurst at the 6:04 mark to help the Illini to a 22-7 win over the Mocs. Braunagel then gutted out a hard-earned win over Pitt's Holden Heller. After trailing 4-1 early in the bout, Braunagel fought back to push the match to overtime. In the OT period he seemed to have the match won with an early takedown before a challenge from Pitt overturned the call. Braunagel persevered, however, and ultimately left no doubt with a successful takedown on Heller to secure the win 9-7, come-from-behind victory.  

Braunagel is a graduate student from Belleville, Ill., studying Management; he is an active member of both the FCA and SAAC.

º2022-23 Scholar Athlete of the Week Winners