Chambana Sun

The Fighting Illini wrestling team, ranked No. 13, is preparing to start their 2024-25 season with a match against SIU-Edwardsville on Saturday, November 2. The event will take place at the First Community Arena in Edwardsville, Illinois, and will be available for viewing on ESPN+.

Among the returning athletes is redshirt senior Edmond Ruth, who had an impressive previous season by winning a Big Ten title at 174 pounds and earning All-American status at the NCAA Championships. Additionally, three former NCAA Championships qualifiers—redshirt seniors Danny Braunagel, Zac Braunagel, and Lucas Byrd—are coming back from their redshirt seasons.

The Illinois lineup will also feature two new graduate transfers from Iowa State: Ramazan Attasauov and Jason Kraisser. Both are former NCAA Championships qualifiers.

Mike Poeta enters his fourth year as head coach of the team. Last season under his leadership, the Illini recorded a 5-9 overall score (2-6 in Big Ten) and finished 11th at the Big Ten Championships.

Their opponents, SIUE Cougars, ended last season with a 6-6 record overall and went 3-4 in the Mid-American Conference. They placed eighth in the MAC Championships. Historically, Illinois has dominated this matchup with a series lead of 22 wins to six losses and one draw since their first encounter in 1974. In their most recent meeting on November 2 last year, Illinois secured a victory with a score of 28-7 at home.