LINCOLN, Neb. – The Fighting Illini dropped the final dual meet of the season at No. 8 Nebraska on Sunday afternoon. Both Danny and Zac Braunagel earned match wins, while Lucas Byrd also won his match at 133-pounds, picking up his 18th win of the season.
Lucas Byrd improved to an impressive 18-1 on the season, remaining perfect in Big Ten dual meets this season at 8-0 as he earned his second-straight major decision victory to begin the afternoon on Sunday. Dylan Duncan lost the 141-pound bout by decision, as the Illini still held a lead through the first two matches, 4-3.
Christian Kanzler battled in the 149-pound bout, ultimately losing by decision as the Huskers took aa 6-4 lead over the Illini. Joe Roberts also found himself in a close match, hanging around but losing by decision, 3-2. At 165-pounds, Danny Braunagel earned more bonus points for Illinois with a major decision, cutting into the Nebraska lead and picking up his fourth major decision of the season.
At 174-pounds, DJ Shannon lost by major decision, but Zac Braunagel responded with a big win for the Illini at 184, earning a decision over Nebraska's Taylor Venz. Matt Wroblewski and Luke Luffman both lost by decision prior to the final match of the afternoon at 125-pounds, where Dane Durlacher dropped the match by major decision.
FULL RESULTS
125: Jerimiah Reno (NEB) over Dane Durlacher (ILL) (MD 10-2)
133: Lucas Byrd (ILL) over Dominick Serrano (NEB) (MD 12-4)
141: Chad Red (NEB) over Dylan Duncan (ILL) (Dec 7-1)
149: Ridge Lovett (NEB) over Christian Kanzler (ILL) (Dec 6-1)
157: Peyton Robb (NEB) over Joe Roberts (ILL) (Dec 3-2)
165: Danny Braunagel (ILL) over Clayton Wilson (NEB) (MD 12-2)
174: Mikey Labriola (NEB) over DJ Shannon (ILL) (MD 11-3)
184: Zac Braunagel (ILL) over Taylor Venz (NEB) (Dec 12-6)
197: Eric Schultz (NEB) over Matt Wroblewski (ILL) (Dec 6-2)
285: Christian Lance (NEB) over Luke Luffman (ILL) (Dec 7-4)
UP NEXT
The Illini are off for three weeks before traveling back to Lincoln, Neb. for the 2022 Big Ten Championships on March 5-6.
