Full Results
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Redshirt junior and 174-pound Big Ten champion [3] Edmond Ruth advanced to the quarterfinals at the conclusion of day one of the NCAA Championships on Thursday (March 21).
Ruth stuck to the defensive style that's gotten him this far. After a scoreless first period in championship round one, he quickly escaped from Bucknell's [30] Myles Takats in the second period to take the lead, 1-0. Takats replicated this result in the third period to tie the match up at one, but Ruth was able to take him down later in the period to win via decision 4-1.
This set the stage for a second-round matchup against [19] Alex Cramer (CMU) who he defeated via tech. fall (23-6, 6:02) on Nov. 19, 2023, in the CMU dual. This was not the case this time around.
Ruth had to battle and claw his way to victory. The match was knotted up at one each with 50 seconds left to go but Ruth's late period pressure did not get him a takedown this time. However, he did force Cramer to take his second stall call which awarded a point to Ruth to give him the decision win, 2-1. Tomorrow, Ruth will look to beat Ohio State's [6] Rocco Welsh for the third time this season. He is 2-0 against him thus far.
True freshman [28] Chris Moore began his NCAA Championships matched up against Wisconsin's [5] Dean Hamiti. Moore was leading in the first period 4-1 but Hamiti gained control and turned him to his back. Moore lost via fall (2:22) and started the consolation bracket against [21] Caleb Fish (MSU), meeting him for the third time this season. Fish got the victory over Moore this time around and beat him in sudden victory 8-1.
Redshirt sophomore [24] Danny Pucino's tournament started off with a matchup against [9] Brock Hardy (NEB). He grinded and fought hard to keep it close through the first few periods, but ultimately fell via tech fall (20-4, 6:35) and started his consolation ladder. His first matchup in consolation round one was against Oregon State's [25] Cleveland Belton where he was defeated by a major decision, 20-8.
UP NEXT
Ruth returns to action tomorrow (March 21) for day two of the NCAA Championships starting with session three at 11 a.m. CT. Session four starts at 7 p.m. CT.
ILLINI RESULTS
174: Edmond Ruth – 3 seed
Round 1: [3] Edmond Ruth (ILL) over [30] Myles Takats (BUCK), dec. 4-1.
Round 2: [3] Edmond Ruth (ILL) over [19] Alex Cramer (CMU), Dec. 2-1
141: Danny Pucino – 24 seed
Round 1: [9] Brock Hardy (NEB) over [24] Danny Pucino (ILL), TF 20-4 (6:35).
Cons. Round 1: [25] Cleveland Belton (ORST) over [24] Danny Pucino (ILL), MD 20-8.
Pucino eliminated.
165: Chris Moore – 28 seed
Round 1: [5] Dean Hamiti (WIS) over [28] Chris Moore (ILL), fall (2:22).
Cons. Round 1: [21] Caleb Fish (MSU) over [28] Chris Moore (ILL), SV-1 8-1.
Moore eliminated.
