Ruth Tops Podium at 59th Ken Kraft Midlands Championships

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. – The Illinois wrestling team finished the final rounds at the 59th annual Ken Kraft Midlands Championships from NOW Arena in Hoffman Estates on Saturday, Dec. 30; they placed fifth with 82 points. Redshirt junior Edmond Ruth topped the podium to win his second straight Midlands Championships at 174 pounds.

The top seed of the 174 lbs. bracket rattled off five-straight wins to earn his spot on the final mat. With three major decisions and two decisions, Ruth outscored his opponents 52-16 leading the Illini in match points scored for the tournament. In the finals, Ruth again dominated, looking like a true No. 1 seed. He recorded his fourth major decision of the tournament over Harvard's Philip Conigliaro, 13-4.

ILLINI PLACER WINNERS

Redshirt junior Luke Luffman placed second at 285 pounds. The top seeded Luffman bulldozed his way to the finals winning a match every way possible with a decision, major decision, tech. fall and fall. He outscored his opponents 41-6 en route to the finals. Luffman matched up against NC State's Issac Trumble in the finals and fought for all seven minutes, but came up short in a 2-1 decision.

True freshman Kannon Webster earned third place at 149 pounds. After his first consolation match was a medical forfeit, he wasted no time making a statement wrestling back. He outscored his two opponents 34-6 winning both matches via major decision to put himself in the third-place match. Webster defeated Corbyn Munson (Central Michigan) for the bronze medal in a 6-2 decision in a match that he controlled the whole time.

Redshirt sophomore Danny Pucino placed fourth at 141 pounds. Pucino won his first two consolation matches over Big Ten opponents Christian White (PUR) (MD 17-6) and Brandon Cannon (OSU) (decision 12-11). A medical forfeit from Central Michigan's Jimmy Nugent propelled him to the bronze medal match. Here he had a rematch against Tom Crook (VT) who eliminated him from the championships bracket yesterday, 8-1. This match was closer than their first, but Pucino ultimately fell to Crook by an 8-4 decision.

True freshman Chris Moore battled back to take sixth place at 165 pounds. He won five straight matches in the consolation bracket to reach the consolation semifinals where his streak was broken by Northwestern's Maxx Mayfield via 8-1 decision. This set up a match with Caleb Fish (MSU) to wrestle for fifth place. In a very defensive match, the only point scored was and escape and Moore was defeated via 1-0 decision.

UP NEXT

The Illinois wrestling squad is back in action on Friday, Jan. 12 for the opening of Big Ten dual season in Columbus against No. 6 Ohio State at 6 p.m. CT.

ILLINI PLACE WINNERS FULL RESULTS

174 (Champion) – Edmond Ruth

• Champ. Round 1 - Edmond Ruth (Illinois) won by major decision over Marty Larkin (Michigan State) (Maj 16-5).
• Champ. Round 2 - Edmond Ruth (Illinois) won by decision over Shane Cartagena-Walsh (Rutgers) (Dec 5-2).
• Champ. Round 3 - Edmond Ruth (Illinois) won by major decision over Justin Phillips (California Baptist) (Maj 17-5).
• Quarterfinal - Edmond Ruth (Illinois) won by major decision over Max Maylor (Wisconsin) (Maj 12-3).
• Semifinal - Edmond Ruth (Illinois) won by decision over Nick Incontrera (Penn) (Dec 2-1).
• First Place Match - Edmond Ruth (Illinois) won by major decision over Philip Conigliaro (Harvard) (Maj 13-4).

285 (Second) – Luke Luffman

• Champ. Round 1 - Luke Luffman (Illinois) won by tech fall over Zach Delsanter (Penn) (TF 21-5).
• Champ. Round 2 - Luke Luffman (Illinois) won by fall over Jacob Christensen (Northern Illinois) (Fall 6:07).
• Quarterfinal - Luke Luffman (Illinois) won by major decision over Chase Horne (NC State) (Maj 12-0).
• Semifinal - Luke Luffman (Illinois) won by decision over Trevor Tinker (Cal Poly) (Dec 8-1).
• First Place Match - Issac Trumble (NC State) won by decision over Luke Luffman (Illinois) (Dec 2-1)

149 (Third) – Kannon Webster

• Champ. Round 1 - Kannon Webster (Illinois) received a bye.
• Champ. Round 2 - Kannon Webster (Illinois) won by major decision over Erik Roggie (Virginia) (Maj 12-2).
• Champ. Round 3 - Kannon Webster (Illinois) won by decision over Cross Wasilewski (Penn RTC) (Dec 7-3).
• Quarterfinal - Ty Watters (West Virginia) won by decision over Kannon Webster (Illinois) (Dec 4-2).
• Cons. Round 6 - Kannon Webster (Illinois) won by medical forfeit over Kyle Parco (Arizona State) (MFF).
• Cons. Round 7 - Kannon Webster (Illinois) won by major decision over Caleb Tyus (SIU Edwardsville) (Maj 16-2).
• Cons. Semi - Kannon Webster (Illinois) won by major decision over Kaleb Burgess (Buffalo) (Maj 18-4).
• Third Place Match - Kannon Webster (Illinois) won by decision over Corbyn Munson (Central Michigan) (Dec 6-2).

141 (Fourth) – Danny Pucino

• Champ. Round 1 - Danny Pucino (Illinois) received a bye.
• Champ. Round 2 - Danny Pucino (Illinois) won by decision over Jake Mann (Princeton) (Dec 4-2).
• Champ. Round 3 - Danny Pucino (Illinois) won by tech fall over Kyren Butler (Virginia) (TF 25-10).
• Quarterfinal - Tom Crook (Virginia Tech) won by decision over Danny Pucino (Illinois) (Dec 8-1).
• Cons. Round 6 - Danny Pucino (Illinois) won by major decision over Christian White (Purdue) (Maj 17-6).
• Cons. Round 7 - Danny Pucino (Illinois) won by decision over Brandon Cannon (Ohio State) (Dec 12-11).
• Cons. Semi - Danny Pucino (Illinois) won by medical forfeit over Jimmy Nugent (Central Michigan) (MFF).
• Third Place Match - Tom Crook (Virginia Tech) won by decision over Danny Pucino (Illinois) (Dec 8-4).

165 (Sixth) – Chris Moore

• Champ. Round 1 - Peyton Hall (West Virginia) won by major decision over Chris Moore (Illinois) (Maj 12-2).
• Cons. Round 1 - Chris Moore (Illinois) won by major decision over Hunter Shaut (Buffalo) (Maj 13-4).
• Cons. Round 2 - Chris Moore (Illinois) won by decision over Jake Stiles (Northern Illinois) (Dec 7-2).
• Cons. Round 3 - Chris Moore (Illinois) won by decision over Anthony White (Rutgers) (Dec 4-2).
• Cons. Round 4 - Chris Moore (Illinois) won by decision over Josh Kim (Harvard) (Dec 4-2).
• Cons. Round 5 - Chris Moore (Illinois) won in sudden victory - 1 over Luke Gayer (Rutgers) (SV-1 4-1).
• Cons. Semi - Maxx Mayfield (Northwestern) won by decision over Chris Moore (Illinois) (Dec 8-1).
• Fifth Place Match - Caleb Fish (Michigan State) won by decision over Chris Moore (Illinois) (Dec 1-0).

MORE ILLINOIS RESULTS

125 – Caelan Riley

• Champ. Round 1 - Caelan Riley (Illinois) received a bye.
• Champ. Round 2 - Dom Mendez (Cal Poly) won by tech fall over Caelan Riley (Illinois) (TF 15-0).
• Cons. Round 2 - Davian Guanajuato (SIU Edwardsville) won by major decision over Caelan Riley (Illinois) (Maj 16-5).

133 – Kole Brower

• Champ. Round 1 - Sean Pierson (Princeton) won by tech fall over Kole Brower (Illinois) (TF 19-4).
• Cons. Round 1 - Kole Brower (Illinois) received a bye.
• Cons. Round 2 - Kole Brower (Illinois) won by decision over Tyler Fleetwood (UW-Eau Claire) (Dec 4-2).
• Cons. Round 3 - Zan Fugitt (Wisconsin) won by major decision over Kole Brower (Illinois) (Maj 12-0).

141 – Will Baysingar

• Champ. Round 1 - William Baysingar (Illinois) received a bye.
• Champ. Round 2 - William Baysingar (Illinois) won by decision over Cole Solomey (Purdue) (Dec 6-1).
• Champ. Round 3 - Cj Composto (Penn) won by decision over William Baysingar (Illinois) (Dec 8-6).
• Cons. Round 4 - Brandon Cannon (Ohio State) won by decision over William Baysingar (Illinois) (Dec 5-1).

149 – Jake Reicin

• Champ. Round 1 - Caleb Tyus (SIU Edwardsville) won by tech fall over Jake Reicin (Illinois) (TF 16-0).
• Cons. Round 1 - Jake Reicin (Illinois) received a bye.
• Cons. Round 2 - Kelvin Griffin (Lehigh) won by fall over Jake Reicin (Illinois) (Fall 4:44).

149 – Jake Harrier

• Champ. Round 1 - Jake Harrier (Illinois) received a bye.
• Champ. Round 2 - Sam Cartella (Northwestern) won by decision over Jake Harrier (Illinois) (Dec 9-4).
• Cons. Round 2 - Jake Harrier (Illinois) received a bye.
• Cons. Round 3 - Kelvin Griffin (Lehigh) won by decision over Jake Harrier (Illinois) (Dec 5-0).

157 – Logan Swaw

• Champ. Round 1 - Dj Mcgee (George Mason) won by fall over Logan Swaw (Illinois) (Fall 1:02).
• Cons. Round 1 - Logan Swaw (Illinois) received a bye.
• Cons. Round 2 - Logan Swaw (Illinois) won by medical forfeit over Dylan Cedeno (Virginia) (MFF).
• Cons. Round 3 - Logan Swaw (Illinois) won by fall over Kade Law (Purdue) (Fall 6:00).
• Cons. Round 4 - Lucas Revano (Penn) won by fall over Logan Swaw (Illinois) (Fall 6:26).

157 – Braeden Scoles

• Champ. Round 1 - Andy Clark (Rutgers) won by major decision over Braeden Scoles (Illinois) (Maj 10-1).
• Cons. Round 1 - Braeden Scoles (Illinois) received a bye.
• Cons. Round 2 - Zack Mattin (Michigan) won by fall over Braeden Scoles (Illinois) (Fall 1:13).

157 – Joe Roberts

• Champ. Round 1 - Joe Roberts (Illinois) received a bye.
• Champ. Round 2 - Joe Roberts (Illinois) won by decision over Luke Mechler (Wisconsin) (Dec 4-2).
• Champ. Round 3 - Jude Swisher (Penn) won in sudden victory - 1 over Joe Roberts (Illinois) (SV-1 4-1).
• Cons. Round 4 - Brock Woodcock (SIU Edwardsville) won in sudden victory - 1 over Joe Roberts (Illinois) (SV-1 9-4).

165 – Caden Ernd

• Champ. Round 1 - Caden Ernd (Illinois) received a bye.
• Champ. Round 2 - Rafael Hipolito (Virginia Tech) won by major decision over Caden Ernd (Illinois) (Maj 17-5).
• Cons. Round 2 - Anthony White (Rutgers) won by decision over Caden Ernd (Illinois) (Dec 4-2).

184 – Dylan Connell

• Champ. Round 1 - Dylan Connell (Illinois) received a bye.
• Champ. Round 2 - Dylan Connell (Illinois) won by major decision over Gavin Bell (Ohio State) (Maj 11-1).
• Champ. Round 3 - Cody Howard (Virginia Tech) won by fall over Dylan Connell (Illinois) (Fall 1:51).
• Cons. Round 4 - Adrien Cramer (Central Michigan) won by medical forfeit over Dylan Connell (Illinois) (MFF).

197 – Sungyup Ryu

• Champ. Round 1 - Sungyup Ryu (Illinois) received a bye.
• Champ. Round 2 - Cameron Caffey (Michigan State) won by decision over Sungyup Ryu (Illinois) (Dec 7-3).
• Cons. Round 2 - Sungyup Ryu (Illinois) won by decision over Jacob Meissner (Arizona State) (Dec 4-2).
• Cons. Round 3 - Sungyup Ryu (Illinois) won by decision over Michael Tal-Shahar (Wisconsin) (Dec 8-5).
• Cons. Round 4 - Sungyup Ryu (Illinois) won by decision over Austin Cooley (West Virginia) (Dec 8-6).
• Cons. Round 5 - Sungyup Ryu (Illinois) won by decision over Ryan Yarnell (SIU Edwardsville) (Dec 7-3).
• Cons. Round 6 - Cole Urbas (Penn) won by decision over Sungyup Ryu (Illinois) (Dec 7-3).

197 – Joey Braunagel

• Champ. Round 1 - Joey Braunagel (Illinois) received a bye.
• Champ. Round 2 - John Crawford (Franklin & Marshall) won by decision over Joey Braunagel (Illinois) (Dec 2-1).
• Cons. Round 2 - Joey Braunagel (Illinois) received a bye.
• Cons. Round 3 - Jarad Priest (Cal Poly) won by decision over Joey Braunagel (Illinois) (Dec 10-3).

197 – Chase Waggoner

• Champ. Round 1 - Chase Waggoner (Illinois) received a bye.
• Champ. Round 2 - Sonny Sasso (Virginia Tech) won by fall over Chase Waggoner (Illinois) (Fall 2:09).
• Cons. Round 2 - Chase Waggoner (Illinois) received a bye.
• Cons. Round 3 - Luke Cochran (Central Michigan) won by decision over Chase Waggoner (Illinois) (Dec 6-4).

197 – Isiah Pettigrew

• Champ. Round 1 - Isiah Pettigrew (Illinois) received a bye.
• Champ. Round 2 - Cole Urbas (Penn) won by major decision over Isiah Pettigrew (Illinois) (Maj 11-0).
• Cons. Round 2 - Isiah Pettigrew (Illinois) received a bye.
• Cons. Round 3 - Isiah Pettigrew (Illinois) won by major decision over Eli Sheeren (California Baptist) (Maj 15-3).
• Cons. Round 4 - Isiah Pettigrew (Illinois) won by decision over Lucas Daly (Michigan State) (Dec 5-1).
• Cons. Round 5 - Isiah Pettigrew (Illinois) won by decision over Martin Cosgrove (Penn) (Dec 11-9).
• Cons. Round 6 - Aidan Conner (Princeton) won by decision over Isiah Pettigrew (Illinois) (Dec 13-6).