Jeremy Hunter Assistant Coach | University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics Website
Jeremy Hunter Assistant Coach | University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics Website
The Illinois wrestling team narrowly lost to No. 23 Wisconsin with a score of 20-18 on Sunday, February 11th in Madison, Wisconsin. The rankings are provided by InterMat.
Tony Madrigal, a graduate student ranked No. 30 in the 133 lbs category, was the first to score for Illinois. He defeated Nicolar Rivera from Wisconsin with an 11-5 decision, marking his second win of the weekend and extending his winning streak to four dual matches.
Danny Pucino, a redshirt sophomore ranked No. 26 in the 141 lbs category, also secured his second victory of the weekend. He won against Felix Lettini from Wisconsin via technical fall with a score of 22-7 in just under seven minutes, giving Illinois an early lead of 8-4.
In the 157 lbs category, junior Joe Roberts overcame Luke Mechler after being headbutted during a takedown attempt in the third period. Roberts managed to secure a win in sudden victory with a score of 4-1, bringing Illinois ahead at halftime with an overall score of 11-8.
Roberts has previously demonstrated resilience after being headbutted earlier this season when he won against Johnny Lovett from Central Michigan University at Huff Hall on November 19th, which also ended with a similar overtime victory.
Redshirt junior Edmond Ruth continued to be pivotal for Illinois' lineup as he triumphed over Max Maylor from Wisconsin in the 174 lbs category with an 8-5 decision. This tied the dual at fourteen points each.
Isiah Pettigrew returned from injury this weekend and delivered his first major decision of the dual season by defeating Josh Otto from Wisconsin in the 197 lbs category with a score of 12-3. This temporarily put Illinois ahead at eighteen points to seventeen before entering the heavyweight match.
In that final bout, redshirt freshman Peter Marinopoulos fought diligently but was ultimately defeated by Gannon Rosenfeld from Wisconsin with a decision score of 12-6. Consequently, Illinois surrendered their lead and lost to Wisconsin by two points.
Looking ahead, Illinois wrestling will face Purdue on Friday, February 16th in West Lafayette, Indiana at six p.m., Central Time.
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