CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Illinois wrestling team split their home opener between Chattanooga and #17 Pittsburgh on Saturday, Dec. 3 at the State Farm Center. Illinois defeated Chattanooga 32-9 in the first dual, but lost to #17 Pittsburgh 6-30 in the second.

UTC NOTES

Sophomore Maximo Renteria gave the orange and blue the best possible start to the home opener when he pinned Logan Ashton in 5:40. The Illini followed that up with two more wins in the following matches, including a pin from sophomore Danny Pucino over Dayne Dalrymple (4:00). Redshirt junior Danny Braunagel recorded a technical fall over Jackson Hurst at the 6:04 mark, 22-7.

Redshirt freshman Dylan Connell undoubtedly had the thriller of the Chattanooga dual. Knotted up 1-1, Connell trailed in ride time and would lose if time expired. He did not crack under the pressure; Connell registered the winning takedown over Matthew Waddell with 10 seconds left to win 3-1.

PITT NOTES

Danny Braunagel gutted out a hard-earned win over Holden Heller. Braunagel trailed 4-1 early in the bout, but fought back to eventually push the match to overtime. In the OT period Braunagel seemed to have the match won early via a takedown. However, a challenge from Pitt overturned the call. He later would leave no doubt and successfully recorded the takedown on Heller to secure the win 9-7.

Redshirt sophomore and newcomer Edmond Ruth continues to make and impact for the Illini squad. He defeated Luca Augustine in the first overtime period 3-1.

#19 Illinois vs. UTC Results 32-9

125: Maximo Renteria defeated Logan Ashton (Fall 5:40)
133: Lucas Byrd defeated Brayden Palmer (Dec. 5-0)
141: Danny Pucino defeated Dayne Dalrymple (Fall 4:00)
149: Noah Castillo defeated Kevon Davenport (Fall 3:28)
157: Lincoln Heck defeated Anthony Federico (Dec. 3-2)
165: Danny Braunagel defeated Jackson Hurst (Tech. Fall 22-7 6:04)
174: Edmond Ruth defeated Rocky Jordan (Dec. 5-2)
184: Dylan Connell defeated Matthew Waddell (Dec. 3-1)
197: Zac Braunagel defeated Jake Boyd (Dec. 11-5)
HWT: Matt Wroblewski defeated Logan Andrew (Dec.  2-1)

#19 Illinois vs. #17 Pittsburgh Results 6-30

125: Colton Camacho defeated Maximo Renteria (Fall 5:15)
133: Micky Phillippi defeated Lucas Byrd (Dec. 4-3)
141: Cole Matthews defeated Danny Pucino (Dec. 4-2)
149: Tyler Badgett defeated Kevon Davenport (Dec. 4-2)
157: Dazjon Casto defeated Luke Odom (Fall 4:58)
165: Danny Braunagel defeated Holden Heller (SV-1 9-7)
174: Edmond Ruth defeated Luca Augustine (SV-1 3-1)
184: Reece Heller defeated Dylan Connell (Dec. 8-1)
197: Nino Bonaccorsi defeated Zac Braunagel (SV-1 3-1)
HWT: Jake Slinger defeated Matt Wroblewski (Dec. 2-0)

NEXT UP

The wrestling Illini are off for almost a month before the travel to Hoffman Estates, Ill. for the annual Midlands Championships on Dec. 29-30.