Ground Report

For Immediate Release: Dec. 28, 2014

SID Contact: Paul Hurd, C: 563.571.0118; O: 217.300.1449

Link: http://www.fightingillini.com/sports/m-wrestl/spec-rel/122814aac.html

FIGHTING ILLINI WRESTLING

#9 Illinois at Midlands Championships
Dec. 29-30 // Welsh-Ryan Arena // Evanston, Ill.

Quick Hits

1. Jesse Delgado (125) and Isaiah Martinez (157) are the top seeds in their respective weight classes for the Midlands Championships. Zac Brunson is the second seed at 174 pounds. Zane Richards, Steven Rodrigues, Kyle Langenderfer,Jackson Morse, Nikko Reyes and Brooks Black are also seeded in their respective weight classes.
2. A trio of Illini starters have accumulated double-digit wins without incurring a loss so far this season. Martinez and Morse are both 11-0, while Brunson currently sits at 12-0. This same trio earned titles in their respective weight classes at the Roadrunner Open on Nov. 16.
3. The Illini are currently ranked ninth in W.I.N. Magazine’s Tournament Power Index. The Orange and Blue have been ranked ninth for five straight weeks, and they have never been lower than 11th in the poll.
4. ?According to W.I.N. Magazine’s Tournament Power Index, eight Illinois grapplers are ranked in the top 20 of their respective weight classes. Delgado (No. 1), Richards (No. 6), Martinez (No. 5), Morse (No. 10), Brunson (No. 9) and Reyes (No. 15) are all receiving recognition in their weight classes.
   #9 Illini drop tough match to #18 Lehigh
   The ninth-ranked Illini fell into an early 18-0 hole against 18th-ranked Lehigh on Saturday at Huff Hall, which proved to be too much to overcome. After closing the deficit to just three points (18-15), Illinois dropped the final two matches of the day, falling 24-15 to the visiting Mountain Hawks.??

   Heffernan Inks Three in Class of 2015
   University of Illinois wrestling head coach Jim Heffernan has announced the signing of three Class of 2015 student-athletes to National Letters of Intent. Eric Barone of Crystal Lake, Ill., Carver James of Rock City, Ill. and Xavier Montalvo of Wood Dale, Ill. will join the Illini wrestling program in the fall of 2015.??

   Brunson Name Big Ten Wrestler of the Week
   Redshirt-sophomore Zac Brunson has been named the Big Ten Wrestler of the Week for the first time in his career, the conference announced Tuesday. Brunson earned the honor after going 3-0 in dual meets and winning the 174-pound title at the Roadrunner Open during the Illini’s weekend trip to California.??

   #11 Illini Conclude Road Trip at Roadrunner Open
   On Sunday, the Fighting Illini wrestling team had a successful final day on its California road trip. A trio of Illinois grapplers won individual titles at the Roadrunner Open, while six others made the podium.??

   #11 Illinois Defeats Grand Canyon, 42-6
   The Fighting Illini wrestling team took down defending-NWCA champion Grand Canyon, 42-6, on Saturday evening. Illinois earned wins in nine of the ten weight classes against the Antelopes.??#11 Illini Win Twice on Day One in California The Fighting Illini wrestling team started its three days of competition in California off on the right foot. Illinois earned wins over Appalachian State (24-15) and CSU Bakersfield (23-12), improving its season dual record to 5-0.

   ?#11 Illinois Perfect at Illini Quad
   The 2014-15 Fighting Illini wrestling team opened its season in convincing fashion on Sunday afternoon, easily winning all three matches at the Illini Quad. The Orange and Blue took down SIU-Edwardsville (44-0), Rider (29-6) and Northern Illinois (37-10).

   Illini return Eight Starters
   Illinois is led by two-time NCAA and Big Ten Champion Jesse Delgado (125). Zane Richards (133), Steven Rodrigues(141), Caleb Ervin (149), Jackson Morse (165), Zac Brunson (174) and Nikko Reyes (184) also return for the Illini, each having qualified for the NCAA National Championships at least once in their careers. Christopher Lopez (HWT) also returns after being in the starting lineup last season.?

   INTERMAT Pegs Illini At 11th/14th
   InterMat has released its preseason Dual Meet Rankings, as well as its Tournament Rankings for the 2014-15 season. The Illinois wrestling team comes in at 11th in the Dual Meet Rankings and 14th in the Tournament Rankings. Seven Illini grapplers are ranked in the top-20 in their weight class.??ILLINI Ranked 11th by Win Magazine WIN Magazine has released its annual preseason Tournament Power Index (TPI) & Rankings, and the Illinois wrestling squad comes in at 11th. The TPI predicts how teams will finish in the 2015 NCAA National Championships, which are set to take place in St. Louis, Missouri. Eight Illini garnered top-20 individual weight class rankings.