Illini wrestler claims Invitational title

By Ryan Dixon

While the Illini wrestling team finished in sixth place this weekend at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational, junior Mike Poeta (157 pounds) hit the jackpot by claiming his first Vegas Invitational title.

Second-seeded Poeta earned the title by defeating top-ranked Gregor Gillespie of Edinboro 4-3 on Saturday.

“One thing I liked about Gillespie is he came after me and he came out to score points and win,” Poeta said. “He came out to wrestle and we put on a good show for the crowd.”

Head coach Mark Johnson called the match between Poeta and Gillespie the most highly anticipated match of the whole tournament and said Poeta has really improved significantly since last season when he was ranked No. 1 in the country for most of the year.

Poeta’s victory Saturday will most likely propel him into the No. 1 ranking in his weight class.

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“I think that will give him the No. 1 ranking in the county – and well deserved,” Johnson said.

Poeta also raked in the title of Outstanding Wrestler of the tournament.

“There were the best wrestlers throughout the country from 125 to heavyweight,” Poeta said. “There were so many tough kids that’s just such a compliment to me to be picked out of a group like that.”

As a team, the Illini finished sixth but were not an entirely healthy squad this weekend. Both Jimmy Kennedy (133) and Troy Tirapelle (141) were not at full strength.

“We had other guys pick up the slack but when you have two of your big scorers out like that it obviously dampens your chances,” Johnson said. “We had a good showing – just not a great showing.”

Some of those Illini showings consisted of a fourth-place finish by John Wise (HWT), fifth-place finishes by Gabe Flores (125) and Patrick Bond (197) and a sixth-place finish by John Dergo (174).

The Illini will now prepare for their first home meets, which will take place on Saturday against Findlay and McKendree.

Johnson said the team will talk about how it wants to sharpen up and look good at home.