Last year, all spring and winter NCAA championships were canceled due to COVID-19, despite the fact that seven Illini wrestlers were selected to participate. March Madness is filled with multiple tournaments and competitions; the Illini wrestling team had its own chance to compete this weekend for the NCAA Wrestling Championships.

This year’s group had five members of the team — all of whom are ranked in the top 25 in the nation — compete this past weekend in their set weight classes. Lucas Byrd, Danny Braunagel, Zac Braunagel, Luke Luffman and Dylan Duncan represented Illinois in the three-day tournament. 

With this being Duncan’s senior year and Byrd’s first time qualifying for the NCAA Championships, this was an opportunity to show why they have been working hard all season.  To end the season, Lucas Byrd was nominated as an All-American after beating Micky Phillippi, along with winning four straight matches on day two of the tournament. Byrd and Duncan both placed fifth after beating Michael McGee and Chad Red, respectively, on the last day of the tournament. 

Danny and Zac Braunagel had matches immediately after Duncan’s first match against Lane Peters, in which he won by decision, 13-2. Danny Braunagel lost his first match against Izzak Olejnik in a 6-1 decision. Zac Braunagel had a close match as he took on Levi Hopkins from Campbell University, though he fell short by a 7-6 decision. Zac Braunagel started the match trailing 4-1, but he continued to fight and came back later in the match.

Luffman was the last Illini to compete in the morning matches on the first day, where he faced Wyatt Henderson, losing by fall. Illinois came to Indiana with the intentions to compete at an extremely high level, which is what they did. The Illini may not have left with the championship trophy, but they placed fifth place, meaning they must adjust next year.

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