CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Fighting Illini wrestling team is set to travel to Hoffman Estates, Ill. for the 59th annual Ken Kraft Midlands Championship on Dec. 29-30 in NOW Arena.
There will be 42 men's programs competing this year, eight of them are from the Big Ten. The eight Big Ten teams competing include: Â Illinois, Michigan, Michigan State, Northwestern, Ohio State, Purdue, Rutgers, and Wisconsin.
This will be the first and only regular season tournament of the year the Orange and Blue will participate in. The Illini currently sit at 3-3 on the year with hopes of some individual success at Midlands before Big Ten dual season begins after the New Year.
SCHEDULE
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29
- 9:30 a.m. – First Session (10 Mats) – (Championship Rounds 1-3, Wrestlebacks)
- 7:00 p.m. – Second Session (10 Mats) – (Quarterfinals, Wrestlebacks)
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30
- 11:00 a.m. – Third Session (8 Mats) – (Semis, consolation, 7th place match, women's division begins)
- 6:05 p.m. – Fourth Session (4 Mats) – (1st, 3rd, 5th place matches–men's and women's divisions)
- Awards ceremony to conclude at 9:00 p.m.
- Midlands Hall of Fame Inductions will be prior to the final session.
RETURNING PLACERS
Three Illinois wrestlers who placed last year are set to return to the brackets in 2023. Redshirt junior Edmond Ruth aims to defend his Midlands Championships title at 174 pounds. Last year he knocked off Nick Incontera (Penn) in a 4-1 decision to secure the gold.
Redshirt sophomore Dylan Connell placed fifth last year at 184 pounds. He did so with a freaky fast fall over Anthony Carman (West Virginia) in 30 seconds. Redshirt sophomore Danny Pucino claimed seventh at 141 pounds. He earned a bonus point with his 14-4 major decision over Josh Mason (Bloomsburg).
