FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Feb. 12, 2013
SID Contact: Taylor Thomas (765-730-6766 or tbthomas@illinois.edu)
Link: http://www.fightingillini.com/sports/m-wrestl/spec-rel/021213aaa.html
FIGHTING ILLINI WRESTLING
Delgado Named Big Ten Wrestler of the Week
Sophomore Scores Decision Over Top-Ranked Hawkeye
PARK RIDGE, Ill. – Illinois sophomore All-American Jesse Delgado was named the Big Ten Wrestler of the Week, the conference announced Tuesday, after the third-ranked Delgado upset No. 1 Matt McDonough (Iowa), 9-4, last Friday and scored a decision against Northwestern's Dominick Malone in the Illini's win over the Wildcats.
Against Iowa, Delgado scored two takedowns in the first period and McDonough escaped once to make the score 2-1 after three minutes. Delgado was on offense the entire second period, notching two more takedowns, while McDonough notched another escape. The Hawkeye grappler earned two more points by escape and a stalling call on Delgado in the third, but it was not enough as Delgado earned the riding time point and won, 9-4. With Delgado's win, the Illini wrestler broke McDonough's 42-match win streak. The last time the Hawkeye had dropped a match was to Delgado in December 2011.
The sophomore then earned his 17th win this season as he moved past Northwestern's Malone on Sunday by a 4-0 decision. He was one of seven Illini to win their matches as the Orange and Blue wrapped up their conference dual season with a 24-10 win over the Wildcats.
This marks the second conference honor of his career and first this season. The last Illini to be named Big Ten Wrestler of the Week was Daryl Thomas on Nov. 27, 2012.
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