ILLINIWrestlingBlog Posted Monday at 10:50 AM Posted Monday at 10:50 AM WHAT: ILLINI vs. Ohio State Wrestling Dual WHEN: Friday, January 10 at 7:00 pm (Central) WHERE: Huff Hall, Champaign, ILLINOIS TV/STREAMING: BTN+ (subscription service) SPECIAL: It is an "Orange Out." Wear Orange. TICKETS: Admission is FREE! Question: Who is this? Answer: ESIW NHOJ NACIREMA LLA A DAY IN HISTORY It is February 18, 2007. Beyoncé and Nelly Furtado are #1 and #2 on the Hot 100 Billboard charts. Ghost Rider is raking in the dough as the #1 box office hit, but theater audiences are leaving unimpressed. It has a 28% on the Tomatometer at Rotten Tomatoes. The folks at home aren't doing much better. Your stupid little sister just got a video game called Karaoke Revolution: American Idol. That's right, a guitar hero for bad voices and terrible songs. It is worse than you thought imaginable. Have no fear! The entertainment and drama are happening right now in Huff Hall, as the 6th-ranked ILLINI seek to add another victory to their nine-match winning streak over Ohio State. But the circumstances are dire. The Buckeyes take an early 10-6 lead as the ILLINI forfeit at 125. It's getting worse. With just two matches left, the good guys are now trailing 12-18. Suddenly #14-ranked Roger Smith-Bergsrud upsets his #10-ranked Buckeye opponent. And just now, unranked Senior Matt Winterhalter, in his last dual match for the ILLINI, beats his OSU opponent 10-0 grasping that one bonus point that gives the home crowd a 19-18 victory and a 10th straight win over an Ohio State University team! Here's a link to the write-up at FightingILLINI.com, and here's the box score: Illinois 19, Ohio St. 18 Huff Hall // Champaign, Ill. Attendance: 1097 184: #3 Mike Pucillo (OSU) maj. dec. #16 John Dergo (ILL), 17-5 (0-4) 197: #12 Patrick Bond (ILL) dec. #6 J.D. Bergman (OSU), 6-5 (3-4) Hwt: John Wise (ILL) dec. Corey Morrison (OSU), 2-1 (6-4) 125: Will Livingston (OSU) win by forfeit (6-10) 133: #8 Jimmy Kennedy (ILL) dec. #17 T.J. Enright (OSU), 4-3 (9-10) 141: #12 Cassio Pero (ILL) dec. J Jaggers (OSU), 11-4 (12-10) 149: #13 Lance Palmer (OSU) maj. dec. Dan Zeman (ILL), 14-5 (12-14) 157: Jason Johnstone (OSU) maj. dec. Clint Arlis (ILL), 8-0 (12-18) 165: #14 Roger Smith-Bergsrud (ILL) dec. #10 Chris Vondruska (OSU), 3-1 (15-18) 174: Matt Winterhalter (ILL) maj. dec. Tommy Priestley (OSU), 10-0 (19-18) THE TEAMS The ILLINI are 6-0 on the season with wins over SIUE (41-3), Binghamton (30-10), Arizona State (37-6), Missouri (23-14), North Carolina (24-14) and Indiana (34-3). The Orange and Blue have racked up 189 team points to their opponents' 50. Ohio State is 8-0 so far. They have beaten Chattanooga (36-6), Edinboro (40-4), Hofstra (38-6), Pitt (20-17), UNC 23-11, Lock Haven (36-6), Iowa State (29-10), and just yesterday, Oregon State (40-3). As the Oregon State match is most recent, and it saw some lineup maneuvers from the Buckeyes, let's look at the Beaver box score: Lineup vs. the Beavers Wt. No. 5 Ohio State vs. Oregon State OSU ORE ST 125 No. 13 Maximo Renteria (ORE ST) def. No. 6 Brendan McCrone (OSU) | D, 6-5 0 3 133 No. 9 Nic Bouzakis (OSU) def. Damion Elliott (ORE ST) | MD, 11-3 4 3 141 No. 2 Jesse Mendez (OSU) def. Krayle Stormer (ORE ST) | TF, 17-2 9 3 149 No. 12 Dylan D'Emilio (OSU) def. Ayden Garver (ORE ST) | MD, 18-5 13 3 157 No. 9 Paddy Gallagher (OSU) def. Christopher Hamblin (ORE ST) | D, 6-4 16 3 165 No. 11 Sammy Sasso (OSU) def. Steele Starren (ORE ST) | D, 1-0 19 3 174 No. 11 Carson Kharchla (OSU) def. Sean Harman (ORE ST) | MD, 14-4 23 3 184 No. 14 Ryder Rogotzke (OSU) def. TJ McDonnell (ORE ST) F, 3:51 29 3 197 Seth Shumate (OSU) def. Vaun Halstead (ORE ST) | F, 5:39 35 3 HWT No. 7 Nick Feldman (OSU) def. No. 21 Brett Mower (ORE ST) | TF, 23-6 40 3 Don't get too worried, my friends. Half the guys wrestling for Oregon State were backups, and their highest ranked wrestler on Wrestlestat.com, #34 Maximo Renteria, won his match. In fact, the average Wrestlestat.com ranking for the other nine Beaver wrestlers was 109.7777777777778. Wrestlestat.com has predicted a 26-6 win for the Buckeyes against ILLINOIS, and that seems absolutely nuts to us. The only wins for the ILLINI are supposed to be Kannon Webster and Zac Braunagel. Edmond Ruth, who won in last year's dual in Columbus, is supposed to lose against a much worse opponent. Additionally, the algorithm indicates that Lucas Byrd, Luke Luffman, Braeden Scoles and Danny Brawlnagel will lose. That's not gonna happen. From the Vault. INDIVIDUAL MATCHUPS 125. #163 CAELAN RILEY vs. #5 Brendan McCrone. This is either a good time or a bad time for Caelan to wrestle McCrone. The Buckeye is 16-3 on the year, but is coming off an upset loss to Maximo Renteria. Does that spiral him into despair, does he question his abilities, or does he see it as a new challenge? McCrone pinned Renteria earlier in the season, but gave up a 5-6 loss yesterday. Riley is predicted to give up a tech fall, although the way these guys have done against common opponents suggests that the ILLINI can keep it close. McCrone is a pinner with a 68% bonus percentage this season, and for that reason, the Orange and Blue will take a decision loss, even a major here. 133. #3 LUCAS BYRD vs. #4 Nic Bouzakis. Can the beta version of Lucas Byrd beat Lucas Byrd? We don't think so. Bouzakis is strong, but so is Byrd, and Byrd is also more experienced, tactical and varied in his offense. The ILLINI 2x AA is 9-4 against the same guys who have given Bouzakis a 6-5 record. Wrestlestat.com's algorithm went haywire in predicting a one-point win for the Buckeye, who has losses to Ben Davino (possible starter here in his home state ILLINOIS) and Zeth Romney. We're feeling a 4-1 win for Byrd is the Wyrd. 141. #16 DANNY PUCINO vs. #1 Jesse Mendez. Almost exactly one year ago, at the dual in Columbus, this was a 12-2 major decision for the Buckeye. He has jumped levels since then, culminating in an NCAA Championship, but so has Pucino. We would like to see the Irish Italian Cyborg from Lockport keep this to a close decision. Wrestlestat.com is predicting a 9-4 win for the Scarlet and Gray. Danny is 8-1 on the season, while Mendez is 15-0. Their records against common opponents show that Mendez jumped levels much sooner than Pucino: Mendez is 15-1, while Danny is 9-11. 149. #7 KANNON WEBSTER vs. #11 Dylan D'Emilio. Last season in Columbus it was a beautiful cross-ankle pick that earned the win for Kannon against the OSU AA. See the video below, which also shows Edmond Ruth riding the **** out of Rocco Welsh as well as bonus Chris Moore handshake, perhaps the most legendary handshake in all of handshake history. The score was 4-1 last year. The Wrestlestat.com algorithm is predicting a closer 7-5 win for the Washington stud. Their common opponents tell a story, with Kannon sporting the better 4-1 record versus a 6-4 mark from the Buckeye. They have both lost to UNC's Lachlan McNeil recently. Webster's loss came in sudden victory on account of a disputed takedown. (We officially dispute it!). D'Emilio got punished by the Tar Heel 2-8. It has to be noted that the Buckeye is off to a great start this season with an 11-1 record. The rest of the Preview at this link.
ILLINIWrestlingBlog Posted Monday at 10:51 AM Author Posted Monday at 10:51 AM Can't wait to hear what @MPhillips and the rest of those dastardly Buckeyes have to say.
ionel Posted Tuesday at 06:29 PM Posted Tuesday at 06:29 PM On 1/6/2025 at 3:51 AM, ILLINIWrestlingBlog said: Can't wait to hear what @MPhillips and the rest of those dastardly Buckeyes have to say. Pretty sure I was at that 07 dual, lot of good names on that team, Bond's brother coached him well in that one. I am sure my good internet buddy MP is not ducking a response, he would shirley never duck. Thus I suspect that after reading IWB's take on the dual he fell ill. I'd expect he will be out of action for a couple weeks. Therefore I'll try to fill in (using WS #s). 125: Riley169 vs McCrone10 I'm still disappointed Renteria left, I really liked that kid, thought he was going places and he has, saw him at Corvallis late last year he is looking great, just beat the McCrone. Riley is the guy but the nuts will put up 4 or 5 here, lets say 5. 0 - 5 OhS 133: Byrd4 vs Bouzakis3 The chirp byrd versus a bouzakis, whatever that is, 3pt Illini 3 - 5 OhS 141: Pucino15 vs Mendez1 Ok gotta call this one for the bucks, 3 pts 3 - 8 OhS 149: Webster7 vs D'Emilio12 By definition this has decision written all over it, 3 IL 6 - 8 OhS 157: Kraisser44 vs Gallagher21 Kraissier things have happed but can Jason put Paddy to his back, tough call here, but ok for now lets say 3 OhS 6 - 11 OhS 165: Scoles 17 vs Sasso6 Ok I like Sammy, its great he made it back, I saw him up close and personal in Vegas and this is not the same Sammy, sorry but 3 pt Illinois 9 - 11 OhS 174: D-Braunagel27 vs Kharchia6 The little Brawny gave KOT all he wanted but I'm guessing Jason is ready for it, 3 pt bucknuts 9 - 14 OhS 184: Ruth15 vs Rogotzke16 Are you kidding ... The Destroyer of Worlds versus a ryder, this match'll be decided on their feet, 3 pt Illinois 12 - 14 OhS 197: Z-Braunagel14 vs Shumate25 The Big Brawny all day and twice on Friday, 3 pt Illini 15 - 14 IL 285: Luffman13 vs Feldman4 The dual is on the line, which kind of man is gonna show up. If my good buddy Wkn were making the call he might say Luke with the pinfeld. But me ... I think the big LL is gonna poke Luke in the ribs early, just to make sure he's good to go, and then win a hard fought decision and a dual win for the Illini. Sorry MP and buckEs, 3 pt Illinois. 18 - 14 IL 2 .
ionel Posted Tuesday at 07:58 PM Posted Tuesday at 07:58 PM 1 hour ago, ionel said: big LL is gonna poke Nick in the ribs early, just to make sure he's good to go ftfm That scoundrel Bob only gave me 15 minutes! 1 1 .
MPhillips Posted Thursday at 04:12 PM Posted Thursday at 04:12 PM 125 McCrone gets a fall after a sloppy loss vs Maximo from OSUW. 6-0 133 Bouzakis gets an, "upset" win. 9-0 141 Mendez gets a major. 13-0 149 D'Emilio gets a decision. 16-0 157 Paddy wins. 19-0 165 Scoles over Sammy. 19-3 174 Kharch. 21-3 184 Rogotzke gets a another fall. 27-3 197 Braunagel wins. 27-6 285 Feldman by major. 31-6 GO BUCKS... 1 .
ionel Posted Thursday at 05:06 PM Posted Thursday at 05:06 PM 51 minutes ago, MPhillips said: 125 McCrone gets a fall after a sloppy loss vs Maximo from OSUW. 6-0 133 Bouzakis gets an, "upset" win. 9-0 141 Mendez gets a major. 13-0 149 D'Emilio gets a decision. 16-0 157 Paddy wins. 19-0 165 Scoles over Sammy. 19-3 174 Kharch. 21-3 184 Rogotzke gets a another fall. 27-3 197 Braunagel wins. 27-6 285 Feldman by major. 31-6 GO BUCKS... No way this happens!! If this happens I'll eat my color copy of the Sunday Morning Comics. 1 .
ILLINIWrestlingBlog Posted 21 hours ago Author Posted 21 hours ago On 1/9/2025 at 11:06 AM, ionel said: No way this happens!! If this happens I'll eat my color copy of the Sunday Morning Comics. LOL! This Sunday it is The Brando and Brando Show, and you don't want to eat that. I love how Mphillips uses the quotation marks for the "upset" win at 133. The thing is, if this match doesn't go to Hoyle, and it turns into a UNI-trouncing-Nebraska-like match, either team could pull away. So excite!
ionel Posted 21 hours ago Posted 21 hours ago 4 minutes ago, ILLINIWrestlingBlog said: LOL! This Sunday it is The Brando and Brando Show, and you don't want to eat that. I love how Mphillips uses the quotation marks for the "upset" win at 133. The thing is, if this match doesn't go to Hoyle, and it turns into a UNI-trouncing-Nebraska-like match, either team could pull away. So excite! Do you think MP and all those bucknut fans know they have to cross Indiana to get to Huff? 1 .
ILLINIWrestlingBlog Posted 20 hours ago Author Posted 20 hours ago 1 hour ago, ionel said: Do you think MP and all those bucknut fans know they have to cross Indiana to get to Huff? They will be watching a football game. Only the Buckeye wrestling moms will show up. 1
ionel Posted 19 hours ago Posted 19 hours ago (edited) 20 minutes ago, ILLINIWrestlingBlog said: They will be watching a football game. Only the Buckeye wrestling moms will show up. 5pm MT - 1 hour! Nothing better than watching wrestling with a bunch of wrestling moms! Edited 19 hours ago by ionel 1 .
MPhillips Posted 3 hours ago Posted 3 hours ago On 1/9/2025 at 12:06 PM, ionel said: No way this happens!! Damn near... 24-9 Buckeyes 1 .
Maddox Garbis Plainfield North, Illinois Class of 2025 Committed to Northern Illinois Projected Weight: 125
Tyler Turzinski Shakopee, Minnesota Class of 2025 Committed to Northern Illinois Projected Weight: 149
Tristan Corbin Wyoming Seminary, Virginia Class of 2025 Committed to Bloomsburg Projected Weight: 141
Gabriella Gomez Glenbard North, Illinois Class of 2025 Committed to McKendree (Women) Projected Weight: 117
Recommended Posts