No. 9 Illinois wrestling (5-2) took third Sunday at the Cougar Clash behind strong performances from 125-pound graduate student Spencer Moore and 157-pound redshirt sophomore Kannon Webster. The duo each took first in their weight classes.
Moore dominated his first and second matches, earning two technical falls. He first defeated UNI’s Brandon Paez, completing the dual 15-0 with a ride time of 3:58. The redshirt sophomore then took down Little Rock’s Tyler Harper 19-4 with a 3:45 ride time.
Moore earned his wins in the semifinals and finals via decision. In the semifinal, he gutted out a 2-0 win over Missouri’s Mack Mauger. Moore then took down UNI’s Trever Anderson 5-1 in the finals, earning gold in the 125-pound weight class.
Webster was also in control throughout his title run, rolling through the bracket. He tech-falled three of his four opponents, with three minutes or more of ride time in each match. Webster opened his day against Brown’s Ethan Mojena. Webster earned a quick win, 19-3, with nearly five minutes of ride time.
The redshirt sophomore also teched SIUE’s PJ Murphy 18-3 with 3:46 of ride time. In his semifinal bout, Webster pinned UNI’s RJ Weston at 5:28 into the match.
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Webster dominated Missouri’s J Conway in his final dual, going 16-1 with a ride time of 4:52 to take the 125-pound title.
Additional Illinois place winners included 165-pound redshirt sophomore Braeden Scoles and 285-pound graduate student Luke Luffman, who each finished second. One hundred seventy-four-pound redshirt freshman Colin Kelly took third. After a medical forfeit, 184-pound redshirt junior Joey Braunagal finished fifth.
UNI won the meet with 190 points, while Oklahoma State trailed closely behind at 187. Illinois claimed the last place on the podium with 157 points, more than 20 points clear of fourth-place Missouri.
The matmen next compete at the Collegiate Duals on Dec. 21 in Nashville, Tennessee.
