Feb. 3, 2012
CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - The sixth-ranked Illinois wrestling team's regular season came to a close on Friday as they hammered Wisconsin, 38-3, tying the highest point total scored this season. . The Illini won nine total matches tonight including five bouts with bonus points, three of them coming by technical fall. With the win, Illinois finishes the 2011-12 season 14-2 overall, the most wins since the 2004-05 season and 6-2 in the Big Ten.
"I thought overall we were pretty aggressive and scored a lot of points," head coach Jim Heffernan. "We've been emphasizing scoring a lot of points this season because at the highest level, you need to be competitive. We're definitely heading in the right direction with the national duals coming up next weekend. Overall, our dual meet season has been positive. We beat some really good teams. Our guys are really making progress and wrestling well."
The dual started at 125 with Jesse Delgadowinning his eighth match this season by technical fall. Delgado lead 10-1 after the first period and recorded a two-point reversal in the second to go to 12-1 heading into the final period. The freshman scored two takedowns and a three-point nearfall to clinch the victory and put the Illini up 5-0.
B.J. Futrellfollowed in Delgado's footsteps and defeated Shane McQuade by technical fall to increase his winning streak to ten, a career-best. Futrell was up 11-3 at the end of the first and needed only 4:39 to win the match 21-5 and increase the team lead to 10-0.
At 141, Daryl Thomasrecorded his fourth straight victory when he took on Thomas Glenn on Friday night. Thomas led the entire match, leading 6-2 after the first and 13-4 heading into the final period. The three-point nearfall at the seven minute mark put the exclamation point on the match as Thomas won his 13th match this season, tying his career-best and pushing the score to 15-0.
Eric Terrazas, one of the two seniors wrestling their final match at Huff Hall wrestled Alex Ybe in an exhibition match at 149-pounds. Wisconsin forfeited the 149-pound match and the Illini were given the six points automatically. The senior finished the match with a 7-2 decision over Ybe to win his last match at home and helped bump the team score to 24-0.
In the marquee matchup of the night, No. 8 Conrad Polzwas ousted by No. 13 Ben Jordan as the redshirt-junior lost just his second match of the season. The two needed extra time to decide the outcome, however Jordan scored the late takedown in overtime to give the Badgers their only points of the match, winning 3-1 and making the score 24-3.
Jordan Blanton (174) and Tony Dallago(184) both won their bouts by major decision with Blanton winning 19-8 over Frank Cousins and Dallago posting a 15-1 victory over Timmy McCall. Dallago's win was his 17th this season, tying his career-best set last year. With the two victories the Illini's lead was 32-3 with two bouts remaining.
Mario Gonzalez defeated Jackson Hein in a 4-1 decision while Pat Walkermoved past Cole Tobin 6-1 to give the Illini the 38-3 victory. It was Gonzalez's sixth victory over a Big Ten opponent this season while it was Walker's second.
Illinois will travel to the National Duals regional in Ithaca, N.Y. on Feb. 12 where they will compete against Cornell and Oklahoma.
#6 Illinois 38, Wisconsin 3
125 - No. 6 Jesse Delgado (ILL) tech fall Austin Hietpas WIS), 19-3 6:33
133 - No. 5 BJ Futrell (ILL) tech fall Shane McQuade (WIS), 21-5 4:39
141 - Daryl Thomas (ILL) tech fall Thomas Glenn (WIS), 25-9 7:00
149 - No. 16 Eric Terrazas (ILL) dec. Alex Ybe (WIS), 7-2 (Exhibition)
157 - Jackson Morse (ILL) dec. Shawn Perry (WIS), 4-0
165 - No. 13 Ben Jordan (WIS) dec. No. 8 Conrad Polz (WIS), 3-1
174 - No. 12 Jordan Blanton (ILL) maj. dec. Frank Cousins (WIS), 19-8
184 - Tony Dallago (ILL) maj. dec. Timmy McCall (WIS), 15-1
197 - No. 16 Mario Gonzalez (ILL) dec. Jackson Hein (WIS), 4-1
HWT - Pat Walker (ILL) dec. Cole Tobin (WIS), 6-1
