CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Illinois wrestling team is sending eight qualifiers to the NCAA Championships in Philadelphia at the Wells Fargo Center on Thur.-Sat. (March 20-22). The eight qualifiers are: Lucas Byrd, Danny Pucino, Kannon Webster, Braeden Scoles, Danny Braunagel, Edmond Ruth, Zac Braunagel and Luke Luffman, the most the program has sent since 2020 season with eight.
Leading the way for Illinois fresh off a Big Ten Championship title is Lucas Byrd at 133 pounds. He led the team all season carrying a team-best 18-1 record with a pin, a tech. fall and four major decisions. His pin came two weeks ago when he became Illinois' 79th Big Ten Champion and just the program's second at 133 pounds.
Danny Pucino qualified to the NCAA tournament earning an at-large bid at 141 pounds. He owns a 13-6 record on thy year with a pin, tech. fall and two major decisions. He's also 2-0 in matches that go to sudden victory.
Kannon Webster earned Second-Team All-Big Ten at 149 pounds two weeks ago in his runner-up finish at the Big Ten Championships. He's 14-6 overall with three pins, three tech. falls and two major decisions. He's 3-0 in matches decided by tech. fall and he has the fastest pin out of the qualifiers coming in at 1:17.
Braeden Scoles took fifth at the Big Ten Championships to qualify for the NCAA Championships at 165 pounds. He's 15-5 overall with five pins, four tech. falls and one major decision. He has the most bonus points out of the qualifiers and his five pins are also a team high.
Danny Braunagel placed third at the Big Ten Championships to earn his way into the NCAA Championships at 174 pounds. He boasts a 12-9 record with one pin, four tech. falls and two major decisions. He's a perfect 4-0 in matches decided by tech. fall which is tied for the team lead.
Edmond Ruth finished third at the Big Ten Championships at 184 pounds to punch his ticket to the NCAA Championships. He's 14-7 on the season with one tech. fall and one major decision. His 5-0 record in sudden victory matches is a team best.
Zac Braunagel earned bronze at the Big Ten Championships to earn his bid to the NCAA Championships at 197 pounds. He's 15-6 on the year with one pin, four tech. falls and three major decisions. His 4-0 tech. fall record is tied for the team lead with his twin brother Danny.
Luke Luffman placed sixth at the Big Ten Championships to qualify to the NCAA Championships at 285 pounds. He's 16-6 overall with two pins, two tech. falls and four major decisions. He never surrendered a single bonus point all year. Â
