Season Stats
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Fighting Illini wrestling team is set for the B1G stage at the Crisler Center in Ann Arbor for the Big Ten Championships on Sat.-Sun March 4-5. Redshirt sophomore Lucas Byrd (133) and redshirt junior Zac Braunagel (197) head into the tournament as Illinois highest seeds in their respective weight classes at number three.

Byrd and Zac both had stellar regular seasons for the Illini. Byrd compiled a 23-3 record while going 11-1 in dual matches and a perfect 8-0 in Big Ten duals. Zac went 20-5 overall with two tournament championships. First, at the Michigan State Open (Nov. 5) and then later at the Midlands Championships (Dec. 29-30).

The next highest seeded Illini is the newcomer, redshirt sophomore Edmond Ruth (174) at number five. Ruth most notably went on a 20-match win streak this season that lasted from Nov. 5, 2022 until Jan. 28, 2023. He stacked the most wins out of the Illini this season at 24-3 and led the team in dual points with 36.

FULL TV SCHEDULE (All Times CT)

Saturday, March 4

• Session I, Big Ten Network – 9 a.m. (First Round, Quarterfinals, Wrestlebacks)
• Session II, B1G+ – 4:30 p.m. (Consolation Matches, Wrestlebacks)
• Session II, Big Ten Network – 6:30 p.m. (Semifinals)

Sunday, March 5

• Session III, B1G+ – Noon (Consolation Semifinals, 7th-Place Matches)
• Session IV, Big Ten Network – 3:30 p.m. (1st-, 3rd- and 5th- Place Matches)

Other notable seeds for the Illini include the redshirt freshman Danny Pucino (141) at number six and sixth-year senior Mike Carr (157) at number seven.  Pucino recorded four wins by fall this season which is tied for the lead amongst starters. Carr is a perfect 4-0 in his return.

Redshirt junior Danny Braunagel (165) is slotted in as the eighth seed. He is tied with Pucino with four wins by fall this season. Redshirt freshman Dylan Connell (184) is the ninth seed. He placed fifth at the Midlands Championship with a pin in 30 seconds, the second fastest pin of the year for Illinois.  

Rounding out the seeds for the Illini are: Redshirt freshman Jake Harrier (141) at 12th, redshirt senior Matt Wroblewski (HWT) at 13th and redshirt freshman Maximo Renteria (125) at 14th.

SEED LIST/ALLOCATIONS IN EACH WEIGHT CLASS

Allocations dictate what you have to place in your weight class to qualify for NCAA's
125 (Top-9 qualify): Maximo Renteria – 14
133 (Top-9 qualify): Lucas Byrd – 3
141 (Top-9 qualify): Danny Pucino – 6
149 (Top-9 qualify): Jake Harrier – 12
157 (Top-10 qualify): Mike Carr – 7
165 (Top-8 qualify): Danny Braunagel – 8
174 (Top-7 qualify): Edmond Ruth – 5
184 (Top-9 qualify): Dylan Connell – 9
197 (Top-9 qualify): Zac Braunagel – 3
HWT (Top-9 qualify): Matt Wroblewski – 13

NOTES

• Edmond Ruth had the most wins out of the Illini at 24-3.
  • 20-match win streak from 11/5/22 to 1/28/23.
  • Led the team in dual points with 36.
  • 3 major decisions, 3 tech. falls and 5-1 in overtime.
  • 11-2 dual record, 6-2 in Big Ten duals.
• Lucas Byrd with another solid season for the Illini, 23-3.
  • 11-1 dual record, 8-0 in Big Ten duals.
  • 33 dual points scored. 5 major decisions, 3 pins, 1 tech. fall.
  • On an 11-match win streak.
• Zac Braunagel went 20-5 in his first season at 197.
  • 9-4 dual record, 6-2 Big Ten duals.
  • 31 dual points scored. 4 major decisions, 1 fall, 1 tech. fall.
  • Recently knocked off highly ranked Yonger Bastida (Iowa State).
• Danny Pucino and Danny Braunagel tied with four falls each to lead Illinois starters.
  • Pucino went 7-5 in duals, 6-2 in Big Ten duals. Scored 33 dual points, tied with Byrd for second on the team.
  • D. Braunagel also went 7-5 in duals, 3-5 in Big Ten duals. Scored 30 dual points.
• Mike Carr is 4-0 and already beat the fifth seed Cobe Siebrecht (Iowa) in his first match on Jan. 6.