the Fighting Illini opened the 2016 Big Ten Championships by putting four wrestlers into tonight’s semifinal round. #2 Isaiah Martinez, #3 Steven Rodrigues, and #3 Zac Brunson each used two victories during session one, while #1 Zane Richards won once after receiving a first-round bye to advance. Tonight’s session will feature the semifinals and rounds two and three of the consolation bracket.
Four Illini Advance to Tonight’s Semifinal Round:
Much the same as throughout the Big Ten regular season, four Fighting Illini remained dominant during the opening rounds, combining for seven wins to put each in their weight class’s semi-final round.
After receiving a bye in the first round, #1 Zane Richards got to work on Rossi Bruno of Michigan, notching a takedown and near-fall to lead 6-1. Leading by as much as nine, Richards held on for a 10-3 decision over the Wolverine. Richards will face #5 Eric Montoya (NEB) tonight in the semi-final. The duo went 1-1 last season, Montoya getting the better of Richards at NCAAs in St. Louis.
#2 Isaiah Martinez got out fast against Wisconsin’s TJ Ruschell, leading 14-1. Ruschell responded with a takedown and back points to cut the lead in half, but that would be the closest he would come. Martinez came back with two more near falls in period two on his way to a 24-8 tech fall, his 17th of the season. In the quarterfinals, Martinez once again started fast, but Nebraska’s Tyler Berger hung tough. With the two exchanging blows, Martinez never could extend the lead past five points and held on for a 14-11 decision. He faces Brian Murphy (MICH) tonight after winning by tech fall in Ann Arbor earlier this season.
At 165, senior #3 Steven Rodrigues used a familiar format to earn a major decision victory in the opening round. Rodrigues rode Brendan Brunham of Maryland hard for seven minutes, working seven takedowns to route the freshman 15-5. In the second round of the championship bracket, Rodrigues faced Austin Wilson of Nebraska. After beating him in a grueling battle in Lincoln just a month ago, Rodrigues grinded out another low scoring affair today. After a scoreless first period, the Illini senior made a second-period takedown stand up, winning by a count of 3-1. Rodrigues will look to avenge one of his two losses tonight when he faces #2 Bo Jordan of Ohio State.
The final Illini advancing to tonight’s semifinal is #3 Zac Brunson after a blowout victory in round one of Andrew Hoselton (Purdue) and a decision victory over Micah Barnes (Nebraska). Against Hoselton, Brunson used three near falls to shutout the Boilermaker, 16-0. The red-shirt junior defeated Micah Barnes for the second time in a month with a 6-2 decision against the Husker. He will take on #2 Alex Meyer of Iowa tonight in the semi-final, an opponent he did not face back in January while he was nursing an injury.
Koepke, Black, and Langenderfer Pick-Up Victories
Wrestling in his final Big Ten Championships, senior Jeff Koepke raced out to a quick 10-4 lead over Mark Colabucci of Maryland and held on for the 17-7 major decision. After defeating Penn State’s #2 Matt McCutcheon in Champaign on January 23, the senior looked to replicate that performance in the quarterfinals today. However, McCutcheon bounced back from his defeat earlier this season to lead wire-to-wire for a 6-2 decision. Koepke will look to advance through the consolation bracket, beginning with Chris Pfarr, an opponent he defeated at Huff Hall a month ago.
Brooks Black started off his day with a familiar foe. After pinning Conan Jennings on February 7 to feat Northwestern at Huff Hall, the Illini sophomore continued his success against the Wildcat with a 4-0 shutout. In the quarterfinals, Black’s quarterfinal opponent, Ohio State’s #2 Kyle Snyder, proved too much for the Illini to handle. Snyder pushed the pace early, leading 12-5 after three minutes, and maintaining the intensity throughout to earn the tech fall, 26-11. Black will be matched against Nick Nevills of Penn State to start his route through the consolation bracket.
Kyle Langenderfer had a rough start to his day, losing by pin to #1 Zain Retherford of Penn State, but responded with a pin of his own over Wade Hodges of Maryland (3:44) in the consolation bracket. He will battle Cody Burcher (Ohio State) tonight to open session two.
Three Gain Experience in Defeat at Big Ten Championships
Three Illini made their Big Ten Championships debut today and experienced the tough and rumble feel of competing against the conference’s best.
For Francis Edelen, his day began in defeat against #6 Johnny Jimenez of Wisconsin with a 10-2 major decision. Unfortunately for the true freshman, a similar result ensued in the consolation bracket with a 10-6 defeat at the hands of Michigan State’s Mitch Rogaliner.
Much like Edelen, true freshman Mousa Jodeh battled hard against #2 Tommy Thorn but ultimately fell 10-2 to the Gopher. Battling Wisconsin’s Gabe Grahek in the consolation bracket, the Illini dropped a defensive struggle 2-0 to the Badger red-shirt sophomore.
Finally, Andre Lee opened his day with a rematch with #8 Jacob Cooper. After dropping the match in East Lansing, Lee battled to a 1-1 tie through regulation but couldn’t hang on in overtime, losing 3-1. Lee looked to have responded well against Indiana’s Jake Masengale, but was put on his back and pinned at the end of the first period.
Full Results:
125: Francis Edelen
Champ. Round 1: loses by major decision to #6 Johnny Jimenez (WIS), 10-2
Cons. Round 1: loses by decision to Mitch Rogaliner (MSU), 10-6
Edelen is eliminated
133: #1 Zane Richards
Champ. Round 1: Richards received a bye
Quarterfinals: wins by decision over #8 Rossi Bruno (MICH), 10-3.
141: Mousa Jodeh
Champ. Round 1: loses by major decision to #2 Tommy Thorn (MINN), 10-2
Cons. Round 1: loses by decision to Gabe Rahek (WIS), 2-0
Jodeh is eliminated
149: Kyle Langenderfer
Champ. Round 1: loses by fall to #1 Zain Retherford (PSU), 2:06
Cons. Round 1: wins by fall over Wade Hodges (MD), 3:44
157: #2 Isaiah Martinez
Champ. Round 1: wins by tech fall over TJ Ruschell (WIS), 24-8
Quarterfinals: wins by decision over #7 Tyler Berger (NEB), 14-11
165: #3 Steven Rodrigues
Champ. Round 1: wins by major decision over Brendan Burnham (MD), 15-5
Quarterfinals: wins by decision over #6 Austin Wilson (NEB), 3-1
174: #3 Zac Brunson
Champ. Round 1: wins by tech fall over #14 Andrew Hoselton (PUR, 16-0
Quarterfinals: wins by decision over #6 Micah Barnes (NEB), 6-2
184: #7 Jeff Koepke
Champ. Round 1: wins by major decision over Mark Colabucci (MD), 17-7
Quarterfinals: loses by decision to Matt McCutcheon (PSU), 6-2
197: Andre Lee
Champ. Round 1: loses by decision to #8 Jacob Cooper (MSU, 3-1 (OT)
Cons. Round 1: loses by fall to Jake Masengale (IND), 1:32
Andre Lee is eliminated
HWT: #7 Brooks Black
Champ. Round 1: wins by decision over Conan Jennings (NW), 4-0
Quarterfinals: loses by tech fall to #2 Kyle Snyder (OSU), 26-11
TEAM STANDINGS
1. Penn State 74.0
2. Iowa 68.0
3. Nebraska 63.0
4. Ohio State 43.5
5. Illinois 41.5
5. Michigan 41.5
7. Rutgers 27.5
8. Minnesota 25.5
8. Wisconsin 25.5
10. Purdue 16.5
11. Indiana 10.5
11. Michigan State 10.5
13. Maryland 4.0
14. Northwestern 1.0
Four Illini Advance to Tonight’s Semifinal Round:
Much the same as throughout the Big Ten regular season, four Fighting Illini remained dominant during the opening rounds, combining for seven wins to put each in their weight class’s semi-final round.
After receiving a bye in the first round, #1 Zane Richards got to work on Rossi Bruno of Michigan, notching a takedown and near-fall to lead 6-1. Leading by as much as nine, Richards held on for a 10-3 decision over the Wolverine. Richards will face #5 Eric Montoya (NEB) tonight in the semi-final. The duo went 1-1 last season, Montoya getting the better of Richards at NCAAs in St. Louis.
#2 Isaiah Martinez got out fast against Wisconsin’s TJ Ruschell, leading 14-1. Ruschell responded with a takedown and back points to cut the lead in half, but that would be the closest he would come. Martinez came back with two more near falls in period two on his way to a 24-8 tech fall, his 17th of the season. In the quarterfinals, Martinez once again started fast, but Nebraska’s Tyler Berger hung tough. With the two exchanging blows, Martinez never could extend the lead past five points and held on for a 14-11 decision. He faces Brian Murphy (MICH) tonight after winning by tech fall in Ann Arbor earlier this season.
At 165, senior #3 Steven Rodrigues used a familiar format to earn a major decision victory in the opening round. Rodrigues rode Brendan Brunham of Maryland hard for seven minutes, working seven takedowns to route the freshman 15-5. In the second round of the championship bracket, Rodrigues faced Austin Wilson of Nebraska. After beating him in a grueling battle in Lincoln just a month ago, Rodrigues grinded out another low scoring affair today. After a scoreless first period, the Illini senior made a second-period takedown stand up, winning by a count of 3-1. Rodrigues will look to avenge one of his two losses tonight when he faces #2 Bo Jordan of Ohio State.
The final Illini advancing to tonight’s semifinal is #3 Zac Brunson after a blowout victory in round one of Andrew Hoselton (Purdue) and a decision victory over Micah Barnes (Nebraska). Against Hoselton, Brunson used three near falls to shutout the Boilermaker, 16-0. The red-shirt junior defeated Micah Barnes for the second time in a month with a 6-2 decision against the Husker. He will take on #2 Alex Meyer of Iowa tonight in the semi-final, an opponent he did not face back in January while he was nursing an injury.
Koepke, Black, and Langenderfer Pick-Up Victories
Wrestling in his final Big Ten Championships, senior Jeff Koepke raced out to a quick 10-4 lead over Mark Colabucci of Maryland and held on for the 17-7 major decision. After defeating Penn State’s #2 Matt McCutcheon in Champaign on January 23, the senior looked to replicate that performance in the quarterfinals today. However, McCutcheon bounced back from his defeat earlier this season to lead wire-to-wire for a 6-2 decision. Koepke will look to advance through the consolation bracket, beginning with Chris Pfarr, an opponent he defeated at Huff Hall a month ago.
Brooks Black started off his day with a familiar foe. After pinning Conan Jennings on February 7 to feat Northwestern at Huff Hall, the Illini sophomore continued his success against the Wildcat with a 4-0 shutout. In the quarterfinals, Black’s quarterfinal opponent, Ohio State’s #2 Kyle Snyder, proved too much for the Illini to handle. Snyder pushed the pace early, leading 12-5 after three minutes, and maintaining the intensity throughout to earn the tech fall, 26-11. Black will be matched against Nick Nevills of Penn State to start his route through the consolation bracket.
Kyle Langenderfer had a rough start to his day, losing by pin to #1 Zain Retherford of Penn State, but responded with a pin of his own over Wade Hodges of Maryland (3:44) in the consolation bracket. He will battle Cody Burcher (Ohio State) tonight to open session two.
Three Gain Experience in Defeat at Big Ten Championships
Three Illini made their Big Ten Championships debut today and experienced the tough and rumble feel of competing against the conference’s best.
For Francis Edelen, his day began in defeat against #6 Johnny Jimenez of Wisconsin with a 10-2 major decision. Unfortunately for the true freshman, a similar result ensued in the consolation bracket with a 10-6 defeat at the hands of Michigan State’s Mitch Rogaliner.
Much like Edelen, true freshman Mousa Jodeh battled hard against #2 Tommy Thorn but ultimately fell 10-2 to the Gopher. Battling Wisconsin’s Gabe Grahek in the consolation bracket, the Illini dropped a defensive struggle 2-0 to the Badger red-shirt sophomore.
Finally, Andre Lee opened his day with a rematch with #8 Jacob Cooper. After dropping the match in East Lansing, Lee battled to a 1-1 tie through regulation but couldn’t hang on in overtime, losing 3-1. Lee looked to have responded well against Indiana’s Jake Masengale, but was put on his back and pinned at the end of the first period.
Full Results:
125: Francis Edelen
Champ. Round 1: loses by major decision to #6 Johnny Jimenez (WIS), 10-2
Cons. Round 1: loses by decision to Mitch Rogaliner (MSU), 10-6
Edelen is eliminated
133: #1 Zane Richards
Champ. Round 1: Richards received a bye
Quarterfinals: wins by decision over #8 Rossi Bruno (MICH), 10-3.
141: Mousa Jodeh
Champ. Round 1: loses by major decision to #2 Tommy Thorn (MINN), 10-2
Cons. Round 1: loses by decision to Gabe Rahek (WIS), 2-0
Jodeh is eliminated
149: Kyle Langenderfer
Champ. Round 1: loses by fall to #1 Zain Retherford (PSU), 2:06
Cons. Round 1: wins by fall over Wade Hodges (MD), 3:44
157: #2 Isaiah Martinez
Champ. Round 1: wins by tech fall over TJ Ruschell (WIS), 24-8
Quarterfinals: wins by decision over #7 Tyler Berger (NEB), 14-11
165: #3 Steven Rodrigues
Champ. Round 1: wins by major decision over Brendan Burnham (MD), 15-5
Quarterfinals: wins by decision over #6 Austin Wilson (NEB), 3-1
174: #3 Zac Brunson
Champ. Round 1: wins by tech fall over #14 Andrew Hoselton (PUR, 16-0
Quarterfinals: wins by decision over #6 Micah Barnes (NEB), 6-2
184: #7 Jeff Koepke
Champ. Round 1: wins by major decision over Mark Colabucci (MD), 17-7
Quarterfinals: loses by decision to Matt McCutcheon (PSU), 6-2
197: Andre Lee
Champ. Round 1: loses by decision to #8 Jacob Cooper (MSU, 3-1 (OT)
Cons. Round 1: loses by fall to Jake Masengale (IND), 1:32
Andre Lee is eliminated
HWT: #7 Brooks Black
Champ. Round 1: wins by decision over Conan Jennings (NW), 4-0
Quarterfinals: loses by tech fall to #2 Kyle Snyder (OSU), 26-11
TEAM STANDINGS
1. Penn State 74.0
2. Iowa 68.0
3. Nebraska 63.0
4. Ohio State 43.5
5. Illinois 41.5
5. Michigan 41.5
7. Rutgers 27.5
8. Minnesota 25.5
8. Wisconsin 25.5
10. Purdue 16.5
11. Indiana 10.5
11. Michigan State 10.5
13. Maryland 4.0
14. Northwestern 1.0
