Wrestling unable to capitalize at Missouri Open

By Jay Lee

After an impressive sweep of the Big Ten/ACC Clash last weekend, the Fighting Illini wrestling team followed with a relatively less successful showing at the Missouri Open on Sunday.

The Illini were only able to clinch one tournament champion, with Roger Bergsrud-Smith winning the 165-pound title. At last year’s Clash, the team notched four individual titles.

Even with Bergsrud-Smith being the lone champion, the team still yielded several placewinners.

John Wise, who won last year’s heavyweight title, finished second this year, as did Ryan Prater at 141 and true freshman Jordan Blanton at 184. Patrick Bond (197), B.J. Futrell (125), Troy Tirapelle (141) and Joe Barczak (165) all posted third-place finishes.