CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – The Illinois wrestling team won their home opening Big Ten dual against Wisconsin on Sunday, Jan. 8. Sophomore Danny Pucino secured the fall over Wisconsin’s Felix Lettini at 5:40 to give the Illini the six points the secured the victory.
“Today was a great day for our program,” said head coach Mike Poeta. “The last three weeks I can’t tell you enough how proud I am of our guys. We’ve been on a roll. We’ve been climbing, fighting and wrestling hard. The guys are doing exactly what we asked for. I can’t say enough good things about Danny Pucino and Zac Braunagel. Zac has put together some of the best wrestling he’s ever had. Dylan Connell is starting to get on a roll. Lucas Byrd is still Lucas Byrd. When he walks out there, I’m confident he can beat anybody in the country. Today was a fun day for Illinois wrestling.”
Today’s meet started at 157 lbs. compared to the usual 125 lb starts. It looked bleak early for Illinois when they dropped the first two matches and trailed 8-0. Redshirt sophomore Edmond Ruth set off a spark for the Illini when he won his 20th straight match. He decisioned Josh Otto (Wisconsin) 4-1.
Illinois went on to win the next two matches to take the lead 9-8. Redshirt freshman Dylan Connell defeated Wisconsin’s Tyler Dow. Redshirt junior Zac Braunagel won his rematch against Braxton Amos by decision 4-3. Zac faced Braxton at Midlands just a week ago in the finals and defeated him in the second tie breaker round 2-1.
Redshirt sophomore Lucas Byrd continues to bring consistent winning to the Illini when they need him most. He took care of business against Wisconsin’s Taylor LaMont via decision 5-1 to keep the Illini alive in the dual 12-14.
Danny Pucino undoubtedly answered the call when the lights were the brightest. Knowing he couldn’t lose he went out and put on an absolute show. Securing multiple takedowns of Lettini racking up points. He had a four point near fall which secured the major decision for him, but that wasn’t enough. He wanted the pin and got it at 5:40. The Illini needed that as those six points won the dual and gave them their first Big Ten win.
FULL RESULTS:
125: Eric Barnett (Wisconsin) defeated Maximo Renteria (Dec. 7-1).
133: Lucas Byrd defeated Taylor LaMont (Wisconsin) (Dec. 5-1).
141: Danny Pucino defeated Felix Lettini (Wisconsin) (Fall 5:40).
149: Joseph Zargo (Wisconsin) defeated Jake Harrier (Dec. 9-7).
157: Garrett Model (Wisconsin) defeated Anthony Federico (Dec. 5-1).
165: Dean Hamiti (Wisconsin) defeated Danny Braunagel (Tech. Fall 15-0, 5:41).
174: Edmond Ruth defeated Josh Otto (Wisconsin) (Dec. 4-1).
184: Dylan Connell defeated Tyler Dow (Wisconsin) (Dec. 5-3).
197: Zac Braunagel defeated Braxton Amos (Wisconsin) (Dec. 4-3).
285: Trent Hillger (Wisconsin) defeated Matt Wroblewski (Dec. 3-0).
UP NEXT
The Fighting Illini wrestling team is back in action in the State Farm Center on Saturday, Jan. 14 at 7 p.m. CT when they host Purdue.
