Chambana Sun

Redshirt junior Edmond Ruth concluded his wrestling season with a seventh-place finish at the NCAA Championships in Kansas City, Missouri. Competing in the 174-pound category, Ruth showcased determination and skill throughout the tournament.

Head coach Mike Poeta expressed his satisfaction with Ruth's performance, stating, "I'm happy for Edmond Ruth. He's happy and feels good right now and as a coach if you can help one of your guys feel like that, it's what this whole thing is about." Poeta highlighted Ruth's progress since joining the team, noting his achievements as a national qualifier and now an All-American. "Edmond wrestled great all season," Poeta added, emphasizing Ruth's strong performance in his final match.

In the seventh-place match, Ruth faced Army's Benjamin Pasiuk. Despite an early lead by Pasiuk, Ruth remained composed and gradually gained control of the match. He secured a major decision victory with a score of 16-6 after scoring 11 points in the third period alone. This win marked his ninth major decision victory of the season.

Ruth ended the season with a record of 26-4 and maintained an undefeated streak in matches decided via major decision. His overall record stands at 56-12 as part of the Fighting Illini team. With a career record of 64-12, he qualifies for Illinois' career win percentage leaderboard with an impressive win rate of 84.2%, ranking him seventh all-time in school history.

Coach Poeta also praised teammates Danny Pucino and Chris Moore for their efforts during the tournament despite facing tough competition. "Danny Pucino and Chris Moore can be proud of their seasons," he said, recognizing their status as national qualifiers.

Reflecting on the team's overall performance this season, Poeta remarked on their contributions to team victories and expressed optimism for future championships: "The focus is now on Cleveland for the 2025 NCAA Championships."