SID Contact: Taylor Thomas, 217.244.3886
Link: http://www.fightingillini.com/sports/m-wrestl/spec-rel/030613aaa.html
Championship Central: http://www.fightingillini.com/sports/m-wrestl/spec-rel/ill-big10-12-wrestl-championships.html
FIGHTING ILLINI WRESTLING
Illini Host the 2013 Big Ten Championships
Orange and Blue will welcome the nation's best to Assembly Hall
Quick Hits
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The Fighting Illini dropped their dual to the top-seeded Oklahoma State in the 2013 NWCA National Duals Championship a few weeks ago but look for a new start at the Big Ten Championships. The Orange and Blue will host the conference championship for the first time since 2002. Illinois finished fourth at last yearÂ’s championship and qualified seven individuals for the NCAA Championships.
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Senior Conrad Polz is off to a great final season, with a overall record of 20-5 and 7-1 in Big Ten action. Polz earned the highest pre-seed, notching the No 2 spot. He also leads the team with the most dual points scored, with 38 total. The senior also holds the fastest pin of all Illini wrestler this season, recording the fall in 12 seconds.
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Sophomore Jesse Delgado returns as the starter at 125 after having a standout 2011-12 season. The Gilroy, Calif., native finished the conference season with a record of 6-1, including a win against No. 1 Matt McDonough of Iowa to snap his 42 match win streak. He also advanced to the finals of the 2012 Midlands Championships and placed second, a career-best finish.
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Injuries have been a big story this season for the Fighting Illini, as they didnÂ’t field their starting lineup in a Big Ten dual this season. Senior Pat Walker hasnÂ’t competed since Dec. 8, after suffering an ankle injury while two-time All-American B.J. Futrell suffered an neck injury and is out for the season.
March 9-10 // Assembly Hall // Champaign, Ill.
Saturday, March 9 (Session 1 – 10 AM, Session 2 – 5 PM)
Sunday, March 10 (Session 3 – 11:30 AM, Session 4 – 1:30 PM)
#12 ILLINI HOST BIG TEN CHAMPIONSHIPS
No. 12 Illinois (7-6 overall, 3-5 in the Big Ten) begins the championship portion of the schedule when it hosts the 2013 Big Ten Championships at Assembly Hall on March 9-10. Illinois finished fourth at last yearÂ’s championships and qualified seven individuals for the NCAA Championships. The Illini also crowned one Big Ten champion as 197-pounder Mario Gonzalez won his first career title and the first in the program aqt that weight since the 2001 season.
The NCAA announced the number of qualifiers for each weight class at each qualifying event on Feb. 28. Each qualifying tournament was awarded spots per weight class based on current year data. Each
wrestler was measured on the following: Division I winning percentage; rating percentage index (RPI); and coaches rankings. The conference received 74 spots, tying its record-high under the new qualifier system.
The Big Ten breakdown is as follows: seven for 125, seven for 133, six for 141, eight for 149, seven for 157, eight for 165, eight for 174, six for 184, eight for 197 and nine for heavyweight.
Eight Illini wrestlers earned pre-seeds for the Big Ten Championships. Senior Conrad Polz (165) earned the No. 2 seed, while Jesse Delgado (125) and Mario Gonzalez (197) notched the No. 3 seed. Senior Daryl Thomas (133) grabbed the No. 5 spot while Jordan Blanton (174) and Tony Dallago (184) earned the No. 6 seed. Redshirt-freshman Caleb Ervin (149) earned the No. 7 spot while Christopher Lopez (HWT) grabbed the No. 11 seed at heavyweight.
Six Illini currently in the starting lineup have placed at the Big Ten Championships in the past, with Mario Gonzalez winning the 197 title last season for the first crown of his career. Jesse Delgado finished third last year, while Conrad Polz and Tony Dallago finished fourth and Jordan Blanton took fifth a season ago. Four of the other Illini wrestlers will be competing in the Big Ten Championships for the first time including redshirt-freshman Steven Rodrigues (141), Caleb Ervin (149), Matt Nora (157) and Christopher Walker.