Wrestlers reflect on careers, look toward future
By Brendyn Jones, On-Air Editor
March 25, 2020
Senior Travis Piotrowski was in class on a Thursday when he got a text from head coach Jim Heffernan calling the team in for a meeting. After he got the text, he could not sit still; he knew what was going to happen. At that point, because of COVID-19, the NCAA had already taken multiple steps to reduce ...
Seven Illini see season end with championships on the horizon
By Andrew Medina, Staff Writer
March 17, 2020
The Big Ten Conference has canceled all remaining competitions for winter and spring sports. As a result, the remaining wrestling season has been canceled. The Big Ten Conference is taking precautions against the COVID-19 virus and encourages safety first. The University of Illinois stands by the Bi...
Wrestling finishes 11 in Big Ten
By Andrew Medina, Staff Writer
March 12, 2020
The Illinois wrestling team competed in the Big Ten Championships last weekend, finishing 11th overall and scoring a total of 49 points in the tournament. Redshirt freshman Justin Cardani didn't give up a single point against Maryland's Brandon Cray in his first match of the tournament, scoring a 4-0 ...
Six Illini earn bids to NCAA Championships following Big Ten tourney
By Brendyn Jones, Assistant Sports Editor
March 9, 2020
Six Illini qualified for the NCAA Tournament following victories during Session II and Session III of the Big Ten Tournament in Piscataway, New Jersey this weekend. The cast of redshirt seniors Erin Barone, Joey Gunther, senior Travis Piotrowski, redshirt junior Dylan Duncan, and redshirt freshmen...
Illini wrestling to attend Big Ten Wrestling Championship
By Andrew Medina, Staff Writer
March 5, 2020
The 106th Big Ten Wrestling Championships kicks off this weekend on Saturday and runs through Sunday in Piscataway, New Jersey. The Big Ten released preliminary seeds, ranking the 14 starting wrestlers in each weight class from every school competing in the conference. The rankings were...
Illinois caps season with 23-9 win over Fresno State
By Andrew Medina, Staff Writer
February 24, 2020
The Illinois wrestling team had its final dual meet in Huff Hall against Fresno State and won with a decisive 23-9 team score. Redshirt freshman Justin Cardani, senior Travis Piotrowski, redshirt senior Eric Barone, redshirt freshman Danny Braunagel, redshirt senior Joey Gunther, redshirt freshman Zac...
Illini fall to Purdue in close meet
By Andrew Medina, Staff Writer
February 18, 2020
The No. 15 Illini wrestling team faced No. 8 Purdue on Sunday at Huff Hall, losing a close meet with a score of 18-14. Illinois victories came from seniors Travis Piotrowski and Eric Barone, redshirt-freshman Danny Braunagel and redshirt-sophomore Matt Wroblewski. Piotrowski wrest...
Illinois edges past Northwestern at Huff Hall
By Andrew Medina, Staff Writer
February 4, 2020
Illinois defeated Northwestern, 19-18, on Sunday at Huff Hall. Redshirt freshman Justin Cardani, senior Travis Piotrowski, redshirt junior Dylan Duncan, redshirt freshman Zac Braunagel and freshman Luke Luffman all won individual matches Sunday. Cardani began his first period scrambling fo...
Illinois takes down Michigan State 18-12
By Andrew Medina, Staff Writer
February 3, 2020
Illinois wrestling scored another conference victory over Michigan State on Friday, and Northwestern Sunday Senior Travis Piotrowski, redshirt junior Dylan Duncan, redshirt freshman Danny Braunagel, redshirt senior Joey Gunther, redshirt sophomore Matt Wroblewski and freshman Luke Luffman all won matches f...
Illini defeat Wolverines at Huff Hall Sunday
By Andrew Medina, Staff Writer
January 28, 2020
The Illini wrestling team defeated the Michigan Wolverines at Huff Hall, 20-13, on Sunday. Redshirt freshman Justin Cardani, senior Travis Piotrowski, redshirt junior Dylan Duncan, redshirt freshman Danny Braunagel, redshirt senior Joey Gunther, and redshirt freshman Zac Braunagel all won their matches...
Luffman sets pace for freshman season
By Andrew Medina, Contributing Writer
December 12, 2019
Luke Luffman’s freshman campaign has taken off this season. Luffman began wrestling at seven-years-old when a wrestling coach spotted him at his brother’s football practice. The coach encouraged Luffman to take up wrestling. And, soon after joining, Luffman dominated the wrestling mat, eventually...
Illinois bests Northern Illinois in first home meet of the season
By Andrew Medina, Contributing Writer
December 9, 2019
The Illinois wrestling team defeated Northern Illinois in a 22-15 victory at Huff Hall Friday in the team’s first home meet of the season. Freshman Justin Cardani won the first match of the night at 125-pounds, 5-2. He took his opponent down twice and successfully controlled the match all six minute...
