CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Illinois wrestling team is scheduled to finish out its regular season with duals against Purdue (Feb. 16) and Northwestern (Feb. 18), both on the road. The Northwestern dual was originally scheduled to be in Huff Hall on Jan. 20, but it had to be postponed to Sunday due to an internal medical issue with Northwestern.
Three wrestlers went 2-0 in this past weekend's duals against Minnesota and Nebraska. Redshirt junior No. 8 (174 lbs.) Edmond Ruth picked up a victory against Andrew Sparks (MINN), 7-1, and a ranked win over No. 12 Max Maylor (WISC), 8-5. Ruth is now undefeated in his last four appearances.
Graduate student No. 24 Tony Madrigal shut out No. 18 Tyler Wells (MINN), 4-0, in the State Farm Center on Senior Day and defeated Nicolar Rivera (WISC), 11-5. Madrigal, like Ruth, has also won his last four matches.
Redshirt sophomore No. 25 Danny Pucino rounded out the 2-0 weekend squad with an upset over No. 20 Vance VomBaur (MINN), 8-5, and he won via tech. fall over Felix Lettini (WISC), 22-7 (6:55).
SCOUTING THE OPPONENTS
Purdue holds a 6-9 overall dual record and is 1-6 in Big Ten duals. The all-time series between Purdue and Illinois is 59-30-2 in favor of the Illini, with the first meeting dating back to 1916. The last meeting was on Jan. 14, 2023, and Illinois won, 31-9. Common opponents between the two squads are as follows.
- Iowa defeated Purdue (34-6) and Illinois (36-6).
- Nebraska defeated Purdue (27-14) and Illinois (28-9).
- Minnesota defeated Purdue (36-6) and Illinois (28-12).
- Wisconsin defeated Purdue (24-15) and Illinois (18-17).
Northwestern owns a 0-7 overall dual record and sits 0-6 in Big Ten duals. The all-time series between Northwestern and Illinois is 49-35-2 in the Illini's favor, and their first meeting was in 1922. The last meeting was on Jan. 20, 2023, and Illinois lost in tiebreakers, 18-17. Common opponents this season are below.
- Nebraska defeated Northwestern (39-3) and Illinois (28-9).
- Iowa defeated Northwestern (46-0) and Illinois (36-6).
- Wisconsin defeated Northwestern (30-12) and Illinois (18-17).
- Minnesota defeated Northwestern (39-0) and Illinois (28-12).
NOTES
- Head coach Mike Poeta is in his third season. His overall record is 12-23, 5-17 B1G.
- Illinois is 3-9 overall and 0-6 in Big Ten duals during the 2023-24 season.
- Edmond Ruth is 16-2 on the year and ranked No. 8 at 174 pounds.
- Leads team in dual points (34) and major decisions (6).
- Has not given up a bonus point all season in his two losses.
- 10-2 overall in duals, 5-1 in Big Ten duals.
- Currently on a four-match win streak.
- Danny Pucino is 11-7 on the year and ranked No. 25 at 141 pounds.
- Second on the team in dual points (22).
- Only other starter to eclipse 20 dual points.
- Leads all starters in tech. falls (3).
- Tony Madrigal is 5-3 on the year and No. 24 at 133 pounds.
- Third on the team in dual points (17).
- Currently on a four-match win streak.
- Joe Roberts is 6-7 on the year and fourth on the team in dual points scored (15).
- Has gone to overtime in a team-high four matches this season.
