Illini prepare for second dual meet
By Brendyn Jones, Staff Writer
December 6, 2018
Filed under Men's Sports, Sports, Wrestling
The Illini are fresh off a trip to Las Vegas where three wrestlers placed in the top 10. Taking down two ranked opponents, 157-pound redshirt-junior Eric Barone placed seventh in his weight class. Mike Carr, a 141-pound redshirt-sophomore, and Travis Piotrowski, a 125-pound junior, both placed sixth. Il...
Illini compete in Las Vegas
By Brendyn Jones, Staff Writer
December 3, 2018
Filed under Sports Top Stories, Wrestling
The Illini wrestling team traveled to Las Vegas over the weekend to compete in the Cliff Keen Invitational. The last time Illinois competed, the team had a strong showing, with nine wrestlers placing at the Lindenwood Open. Illinois sent eight wrestlers to the tournament with a wrestler in every weight c...
Star wrestler Rachal offers guidance to younger twin brothers
By Brendyn Jones, Staff Writer
November 29, 2018
Filed under Men's Sports, Sports, Top Stories, Wrestling
Deuce Rachal has made a name for himself in his time wrestling for Illinois. In a recent tournament appearance in St. Louis, the redshirt senior recorded three pins in four matches on his way to winning his weight division. The heavyweight wrestler has turned his reputation into a player who’s ha...
Illini bounce back in St. Louis match
By Brendyn Jones, Staff writer
November 12, 2018
Filed under Men's Sports, Sports, Top Stories, Wrestling
After a team loss to Missouri in its first action of the season last weekend, the Illinois wrestling team headed to St. Louis to try to get back in the win column. Illinois dominated throughout the tournament, earning three titles from Andre Lee, Johnny Mologousis and Deuce Rachal. Mologousis, competi...
Martinez and fellow Illini finish strong at NCAA tournament
By Jared Farmer, Staff Writer
March 24, 2018
Filed under Men's Sports, Sports, Wrestling
Isaiah Martinez finished his collegiate career as runner-up at the NCAA Championships, being defeated in the 165-pound title bout by Penn State’s Vincenzo Joseph. Martinez finishes his career with two national championships, four Big Ten championships and the highest percentage of career wins (.97...
Car accident takes life of Fighting Illini wrestler Francis Edelen
By Eli Schuster, Sports Editor
March 22, 2018
Filed under Men's Sports, Showcase, Sports, Top Stories, Wrestling
Redshirt-sophomore wrestler Francis Edelen was killed in a hit-and-run on Interstate 57 in Champaign County on March 21. Edelen, 21, was from Oak Forest, Illinois. After being behind the wheel for a two-car accident, Edelen got out of his vehicle and was struck by a hit-and-run driver while he was...
Illini of the Week | A rematch one year in the making
By Jared Farmer, Staff Writer
March 8, 2018
Filed under Illini of the Week, Men's Sports, Showcase, Sports, Top Stories, Wrestling
Isaiah Martinez’ matchup against Penn State’s Vincenzo Joseph was a battle 351 days in the making. This was the fourth time these two would meet. Going in, Martinez was 2-1 against Joseph. Their previous matchup was in last year’s NCAA Championships, where the then-freshman Joseph pinned the two-time cham...
Martinez wins fourth Big Ten championship
By Jared Farmer, Staff writer
March 5, 2018
Filed under Men's Sports, Sports, Top Stories, Wrestling
Isaiah Martinez made history on Sunday. Wrestling Penn State’s Vincenzo Joseph in an NCAA Finals rematch, Martinez pulled through and secured his fourth Big Ten title -- the first time anybody has done that in school history. But he doesn't seem to think that much of the accomplishment. "It do...
Martinez begins preparing for his final postseason
By Jared Farmer, Staff Writer
February 15, 2018
Filed under Men's Sports, Sports, Wrestling
Throughout the entire season, senior Isaiah Martinez has zeroed in on one objective: getting back to the NCAA Championships and winning the national title. With the regular season officially coming to a close and the postseason under way, the NCAA Championships continue to inch closer. While the imm...
Olympic Training Begins for Zane Richards
By Jared Farmer, Staff Writer
February 5, 2018
Filed under Men's Sports, Sports, Uncategorized, Wrestling
For most college athletes, graduation means the end of competitive play in their respective sport and the beginning of new adventures. But not for Illini alumnus Zane Richards. Richards remains dedicated to his wrestling career, which most recently saw him spending this past January training in Vlad...
Illinois wrestling dominates Maryland to win tenth-straight at home
By Jared Farmer, Staff writer
January 30, 2018
Filed under Men's Sports, Sports, Wrestling
Maryland entered Sunday's dual match looking for its first ever win against Illinois. The Terrapins didn't find it. After scoring bonus points in each of its six victories, the Illinois Men’s Wrestling team defeated Maryland 25-18. The Illini now have won 10 straight at home and improve to 5-3 on...
Duncan shines as Illinois wrestling defeats Purdue
By Jared Farmer, Staff writer
January 23, 2018
Filed under Men's Sports, Sports, Top Stories, Wrestling
With bonus points coming from freshman Dylan Duncan and senior Isaiah Martinez, the No. 14-ranked Illinois wrestling team defeated Purdue 21-12 on Sunday afternoon at Holloway Gym. This victory improves the Illini's record to 4-3 (3-2 in the Big Ten conference). Illinois started the dual well, wi...
