CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The No. 12 Illinois wrestling team is prepared to head on the road to take on No. 23 North Carolina on Monday (Nov. 25) in Chapel Hill, N.C at 6 p.m. CT
Illinois is coming off their highest ranked win in over a decade with their 23-14 victory over No. 6 Missouri on Thursday (Nov. 21). The last time they beat a higher ranked opponent was on Feb. 12 ,2012, when they knocked off No. 5 Cornell, 19-16. With this win the Illini are 4-0 in duals for the first time since the 2020-21 season. They've won all their duals scoring 20+ points which is also the first time this has happened since the 2015-16 squad won their first eight duals scoring 20+ points.
No. 2 at 133 pounds redshirt senior Lucas Byrd kicked off the scoring for the Illini in the Missouri dual with a 17-4 major decision win over #29 Kade More (MIZ). No. 10 at 149 pounds redshirt freshman Kannon Webster also earned a major decision over a ranked opponent in his 20-7 win on #24 Logan Gioffre (MIZ).
The deciding moment of the dual came at 165 pounds between No. 24 redshirt freshman Braeden Scoles and No. 15 Cam Steed. Steed came out quick in the first period getting a couple takedowns on Scoles. Scoles got in on a shot in the second period and went to turn Steed to his back which appeared to injury him. After a medical stoppage Steed tried to fight through it to not surrender the match, but the referee called it a medical forfeit at the end of the period after it was clear Steed could hardly stand. This awarded Scoles the win and a key six team points that catapulted the Illini ahead and aided in their win.
SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
North Carolina holds a 2-1 record so far this season with wins over Drexel (33-0) and Navy (23-16) and most recently a loss to No. 3 Nebraska (34-3). The Tar Heels and Illini met last season, Nov. 19, 2023, in Huff Hall where the Orange and Blue emerged victorious 20-13. This will be the eighth meeting between the squads dating back to 1985 and Illinois boasts a 6-1 series advantage.
NOTES
- The Fighting Illini grapplers have started 4-0 in dual action for the first time since the 2020-21, season when they also started 4-0.
- Seven separate Illinois starters have already scored double digit dual points for the team.
- Three starters have perfect 7-0 records to start the year: Lucas Byrd, Kannon Webster and Braeden Scoles.
- Braeden Scoles leads the team in falls with three and dual points with 23.
- Has won all six of his matches by bonus points: three pins, two tech. falls and a major decision.
- Jason Kraisser owns a 5-2 record and is tied for second on the team in dual points with 18.
- He ranks second on the team in pins with two.
- Kannon Webster is tied for second on the team in dual points with 18.
- Zac Braunagel owns a 5-2 record and is fourth on the team in dual points with 16.
- His five wins have all come in bonus point fashion: one pin, two tech. falls and a major decision.
- Lucas Byrd and Luke Luffman each are fifth on the team in dual points with 14.
- Danny Pucino is the final starter in double digit dual points with 11.
