BruceyB Posted January 19 Posted January 19 After the discussion following Illinois performance last night, I have gone into a deep dive of looking at their teams over the past 25 years. Their best run since the turn of the century was at the beginning where their teams placed.. 2005 - Illinois - 6th - 70.5 points 2004 - Illinois - 7th - 69.5 points 2003 - Illinois - 9th - 53 points 2002 - Illinois -10th - 47.5 points 2001 - Illinois - 5th - 89 points 2000 - Illinois - 6th - 59.5 points They kind of tailed off after that but still finished in the top 10 in 2009, 2012, 2013, and 2016. The real collapse began in 2019 where they went from 13th the previous year to 26th. Since 2019 their lone top 20 appearance was in 2021 when they finished 18th. The big problem seems to be recruiting. 2019 - #18 Byrd and #39 Luffman 2020 - #70 and #73 - no starters 2021 - #43 Maximo Renteria and #81 Dylan Connell - Renteria would be a welcome addition at 125 this year 2022 - 0 top 100 recruits 2023 - #13 Kannon Webster and #25 Braedon Scoles 2024 - #30 Colin Kelly and #78 Ryan Bennett 2025 - 0 top 100 recruits It's hard to believe that in a state so rich with wrestling talent that they aren't able to keep at least a handful of guys home. Was the Mark Perry effect a key part of their performance during the run of 2012-2018? He is credited for recruiting Delgado (who followed him from Cal Poly) and Isaiah Martinez. With their roster this year, yes they have a guy at every weight other than 125 (no offense). But realistically they have 1 guy who should AA and a number of 12-20 ranked guys that could, with Scoles and Webster probably being the most likely at this point. Anyway, I have no reason for posting this other than I spent several hours digging around old Illinois teams, results, and recruits and thought I might as well post my findings in the off chance someone would be interested to read them. Anyway, rooting for Coach Poeta and the Fighting Illini as they move forward. 2
Fletcher Posted January 19 Posted January 19 They need to: (i) keep the best IL kids home, and (ii) bring in a couple out-of-state blue chips every year. They certainly haven't been doing (i). They seem to focus on very good kids from IL and let other programs peel off the top layer. Having said that, getting Aaron Stewart is a step in the right direction.
Caveira Posted January 19 Posted January 19 6 minutes ago, Fletcher said: They need to: (i) keep the best IL kids home, and (ii) bring in a couple out-of-state blue chips every year. They certainly haven't been doing (i). They seem to focus on very good kids from IL and let other programs peel off the top layer. Having said that, getting Aaron Stewart is a step in the right direction. They just signed Aaron Stewart
BruceyB Posted January 19 Author Posted January 19 26 minutes ago, Fletcher said: Having said that, getting Aaron Stewart is a step in the right direction. Hopefully his early commitment helps sway some other notable names to join him. 1
Southend Posted January 19 Posted January 19 Good info. It boils down to getting people in the room. Recruiting, recruiting, recruiting. Finding a coach that can do it, or is able to get an assistant who can sway the talent into your organization ,is key to the process.
bnwtwg Posted January 19 Posted January 19 (edited) Landing Byrd, Webster, and now Aaron Stewart is a huge step. Bringing back Imar and bringing in AOC helps the recruiting trail. The new wrestling facility is already reaping dividends. The IRTC had two 2023 world team members, one lightweight and one upper weight. The culture has shifted for the better as a result. Resident and guest athletes have improved as a result. Folks forget that Poeta walked into a completely barren cupboard because Hef ate everything in it. Edited January 19 by bnwtwg 1 1 i am an idiot on the internet
Caveira Posted January 19 Posted January 19 1 hour ago, bnwtwg said: Hef And imar…. He had to have eaten some right? Had to lol 1
bnwtwg Posted January 19 Posted January 19 (edited) 26 minutes ago, Caveira said: And imar…. He had to have eaten some right? Had to lol Well Imar received some really bad rehab advice. When he tore his shoulder the PT told him to strengthen it by lifting those heavy slices of Papa Del's deep dish. And if you know Imar then you know he attacks everything at maximum velocity... The problem is his PT was Hef in disguise Edited January 19 by bnwtwg i am an idiot on the internet
ionel Posted January 19 Posted January 19 2 hours ago, bnwtwg said: ... Papa Del's deep dish ... ... at maximum velocity... ... who wouldn't .
Antonio Rodriguez Los Gatos, California Class of 2026 Committed to Arizona State Projected Weight: 141
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