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University of Illinois Athletics

2023-24 Wrestling Roster

Darrel Hoemann / Illinois Athletics
Craig Pessman / Illinois Athletics

Justin Cardani

  • Ht./Wt. - /
  • Position 125
  • Hometown Champaign, Ill.
  • High School Centennial

Biography

NIL Opportunities

NCAA Badge 2x NCAA Championships Qualifier

2023-24

  • Went 4-12 overall, 4-9 in duals and scored 12 dual points
  • One of nine Illini to score double digit dual points
  • Academic All-Big Ten

2022-23

  • Did not compete due to injury 

2021-22

  • NCAA qualifier at 125 pounds
  • Went 12-11 overall
  • Academic All-Big Ten

2020-21

  • Academic All-Big Ten
  • Finished his redshirt sophomore season with a 3-9 overall record, going 2-6 in B1G duals
  • Started in all eight regular season dual meets for the Illini at 125-pounds
  • Started the season 2-0, defeating Indiana's Brock Hudkins in a 3-1 decision and Wisconsin's Eric Barnett in a 3-1 decision

2019-20

  • Earned at-large bid to NCAA Championships; NCAA Championships canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic
  • Finished his redshirt freshman campaign with an overall record of 16-10
  • Went 11-3 in dual matches, including a 7-2 mark in Big Ten dual bouts
  • Started in every dual for the Illini at 125-pounds, finishing fourth on the team in dual points with 34
  • Upset No. 9 Michael De Augustino of Northwestern by decision, 4-2, in the dual matchup on Feb. 2 at Huff Hall
  • NWCA Scholar All-American
  • Academic All-Big Ten

2018-19

  • Led all Illini redshirts in wins with 16
  • Placed sixth at 125-pounds at Midlands competing unattached, going 5-2
  • Defeated #6 Ryan Milhof  of Arizona State at Midlands
  • Recorded a fall in his first career match at the Maryville Open (4:38)

Career Record

Year Overall Dual Conference Falls TF MD Big Ten NCAA
2018-19* 16-1 -- -- 1 1 0 -- --
2019-20 16-10 11-3 7-2 0 0 1 -- Canceled
2020-21 3-9 2-6 2-6 0 0 1 -- --
2021-22 12-11 2-6 1-5 0 0 2 -- DNP
2022-23* -- -- -- -- -- -- -- --
2023-24 4-12 4-9 2-5 0 0 0 -- --
Total 35-42 19-24 12-18 0 0 4

*Redshirt Season

High School

  • 2017 IHSA Class 2A 106 Pound Champion
  • Undefeated (45-0) 2016-17 junior season
  • 2017 Illinois Freestyle and Greco-Roman 106 Pound Champion
  • 2016 Illinois Freestyle 106 Pound State Champion
  • First Champaign Centennial wrestler to win state title

Historical Player Information

  • 2018-19Freshman

    125 lbs

  • 2019-20Redshirt Freshman

    125 lbs

  • 2020-21Redshirt Sophomore

    125 lbs

  • 2021-22Redshirt Sophomore

    125 lbs

  • 2022-23Redshirt Junior

    125
    125 lbs

  • 2023-24Redshirt Senior

    125
    0 lbs