Four Fighting Illini wrestlers grappled their way to Missouri Open titles on Nov. 18, and 14 more placed in the tournament to begin the 2007-08 schedule.

Sophomores Jimmy Kennedy (133 pounds) and John Dergo (174) won their respective open divisions to defend their freshman Missouri Open titles they secured last year.

“Anytime you can win a college tournament it’s a big deal,” head coach Mark Johnson said. “They both did a great job of that and they’re pretty dominant.”

Kennedy won his first two matches and then defeated Old Dominion’s Kyle Hutter with a score of 6-2 to secure his first open title. Dergo also defended his title by controlling his opponents en route to a 5-1 title victory over Missouri’s James Williamson.

Freshmen Ryan Prater (141) and Grant Paswall (149) showed bright flashes for the future of Illini wrestling as they stomped through competition and locked up freshman-sophomore division titles.

A couple of one-point victories for Roger Smith-Bergsrud (165) helped him to reach the title match in his bracket, but he was unable to win his last match and finished second.

John Wise (HWT) also finished second in his bracket as he lost a 6-5 match to the top-seeded competitor in his weight class.

Johnson said the team now needs to fine-tune each wrestler, focusing on each individual’s skills.

“Overall, we just need to keep getting better as a team,” Johnson said. “It was just a good starting point for us.”

Johnson believes the strength of the team is its balance.

“We are pretty solid from top to bottom,” he said.

While most of the Illini competed in Missouri, No. 3-ranked junior Mike Poeta was taking care of business in Eugene, Ore., on Nov. 19.

The Illini’s All-American upset No. 2 Craig Henning, of Wisconsin, in the National Wrestling Coaches Association All-Star Classic.

“He pinned last year’s NCAA runner-up so that was a big night for us as well – and for him,” Johnson said. “He did a terrific job and that’s going to give him a lot of confidence.”

This was Poeta’s fifth career victory over a higher-ranked opponent.

Next, the Illini will travel to Las Vegas for the Las Vegas Invitational from Nov. 30 to Dec. 1.