INDIANAPOLIS – The No. 11 Illinois wrestling team improved to 6-0 (1-0 B1G) on the season with their dominant win against No. 28 Indiana, 34-3, at the inaugural Big Ten Takedown at the Big Ten Fan Fest in Indianapolis.
Illinois keeps its flawless season alive; scoring 20+ points in each win inching closer to the 2015-16 team that started 8-0 with 20+ points scored in each win. Additionally, this marks the third time this season that they've scored 30+ dual points.
HOW IT HAPPENED
No. 2 at 133 pounds redshirt senior Lucas Byrd improved to 9-0 this season with his 3-0 decision victory over No. 24 Angelo Rini (IND). This win tied the dual up a three, the closest it would be the rest of the night as Illinois went on to win the final nine bouts.
No. 19 at 141 pounds redshirt junior Danny Pucino took care of business against Henry Porter (IND) in a 4-1 decision to make it 6-3 Illinois. No. 10 at 149 pounds redshirt freshman Kannon Webster doubled the Illini point total, 12-3, with his pin of Anthony Bahl (IND) at the 4:43 mark.
The next two bouts were very defensive as No. 27 at 157 pounds graduate student Jason Kraisser decisioned Ryan Garvick (IND), 2-0, and No. 14 at 165 pounds redshirt freshman Braeden Scoles replicated the exact result over No. 26 Derek Gilcher (IND). Scoles joined Byrd improving to 9-0 and Illinois led 18-3 after these two victories.
No. 16 at 174 pounds redshirt senior Danny Braunagel picked up some more bonus points with his 11-3 major decision over Nick South (IND) extending the Illini lead, 22-3. No. 12 at 184 pounds redshirt senior Edmond Ruth won via 4-2 decision over No. 23 DJ Washington (IND) making it 25-3 for the Orange and Blue.
No. 13 at 197 pounds redshirt senior Zac Braunagel had the highest scoring match of the night with his gritty 10-8 decision victory over No. 28 Gabe Sollars (IND). He had a couple takedowns in short time at the end of periods one and three to help extend the Fighting Illini lead, 28-3.
No. 11 at 285 pounds redshirt senior Luke Luffman closed out the dual in emphatic fashion pinning No. 26 Jacob Bullock (IND) in under six minutes (5:52) to push Illinois past 30 points for the third time this season, 34-3.
FULL RESULTS
| Weight |
Matchup |
Score |
| 125: |
#23 Jacob Moran (IND) dec. Caelan Riley (ILL), 5-2 |
ILL 0 I IND 3 |
| 133: |
#2 Lucas Byrd (ILL) dec. #24 Angelo Rini (IND), 3-0 |
ILL 3 I IND 3 |
| 141: |
#19 Danny Pucino (ILL) dec. Henry Porter (IND), 4-1 |
ILL 6 I IND 3 |
| 149: |
#10 Kannon Webster (ILL) pins Anthony Bahl (IND), 4:43 |
ILL 12 I IND 3 |
| 157: |
#27 Jason Kraisser (ILL) dec. Ryan Garvick (IND), 2-0 |
ILL 15 I IND 3 |
| 165: |
#14 Braeden Scoles (ILL) dec. #26 Derek Gilcher (IND), 2-0 |
ILL 18 I IND 3 |
| 174: |
#16 Danny Braunagel (ILL) major dec. Nick South (IND), 11-3 |
ILL 22 I IND 3 |
| 184: |
#12 Edmond Ruth (ILL) dec. #23 DJ Washington (IND), 4-2 |
ILL 25 I IND 3 |
| 197: |
#13 Zac Braunagel (ILL) dec. #28 Gabe Sollars (IND), 10-8 |
ILL 28 I IND 3 |
| 285: |
#11 Luke Luffman (ILL) pins #26 Jacob Bullock (IND), 5:52 |
ILL 34 I IND 3 |
UP NEXT
The Illinois wrestling squad is back in action tomorrow, Dec. 7, for the Cougar Clash in Edwardsville, Ill. starting at 10 a.m. CT.
