Chambana Sun

The Illinois wrestling team, ranked 13th nationally, achieved two significant victories on the first day of WrangleMania in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. On Saturday, they overcame Binghamton with a score of 30-10 and later defeated Arizona State, ranked 21st, with an impressive 37-6 win.

This marks the first time since the 2020-21 season that the Fighting Illini have begun their dual season with a 3-0 record.

In the morning session against Binghamton, Lucas Byrd tied the match at three points each after securing a narrow victory over Micah Roes. Danny Pucino followed by earning a major decision win over Nate Lucier, giving Illinois a lead they would maintain throughout. Notably, Kannon Webster achieved a technical fall against Ivan Garcia. Jason Kraisser and Braeden Scoles contributed further wins, with Scoles achieving his first collegiate pin against Carter Baer.

Despite dropping two matches at 174 and 184 pounds to Binghamton's Brevin Cassella and Will Ebert respectively, Zac Braunagel secured another technical fall for Illinois against Andrew Bailey. Luke Luffman closed out with a decisive major decision over Cory Day.

In the afternoon matchup against Arizona State, Byrd again initiated scoring for Illinois with a victory over Julian Chlebove. Pucino tied the dual before Webster secured another major decision win. Kraisser and Scoles both pinned their opponents from Arizona State, while Danny Braunagel and Edmond Ruth also recorded victories. Zac Braunagel added another pin to his day's achievements against Jacob Meissner.

Luffman completed the event by defeating Cohlton Schultz in overtime, finalizing Illinois' commanding performance.

Illinois will next participate in the Journeymen Collegiate Classic tournament on Sunday.