The Fighting Illini return for another season of wrestling. As usual expectations are low the squad. Although a few bright spots on the team exist.
125-Ramazan Attasauov It appears that Illinois is set to remedy their 125 lb problem. Ramazan was a former Iowa state wrestler, who Coach Poeta convinced to come to Illinois. He hasn’t wrestled in a while, but if we look at 2022-2023 he posted an 11-5 record over all. With one year of eligibility remaining, Ramazan will lead the team into battle.
133-Lucas Byrd Illinois fans waiting for the return of the 2X All American Lucas Byrd are excited to see him back on the mat after redshirting last season. During the 22-23 season Byrd went 30-6. Kole Brower will also see mat time and is the future of the weight class.
141- Definitely contention here between Danny Pucino and Will Bassinger, Pucino going 15-12 overall and an NCAA Championships qualifier Peota recognizing Bassingers hunger for the position said, “There’s a potential threat there,” recognizing Bassingers will and extra work, targeting the starting spot. Hopefully this will motivate Pucino to have a better year. I expect both wrestlers to get mat time, and its hard to say who earns the spot at Big 10s.
149- Kannon Webster looks to carry the team this year, coming off a redshirt season in 23-24, he went 20-1 and defeated No. 5 Dylan D’Emilio (Oklahoma State) in his very first dual appearance. Overall going 6-0 in duals and 2-0 in the conference, this is a steady weight class for Illinois. I look for Webster to be a top 5 guy by the end of the season.
157- Jason Kraisser coming out of the transfer portal this year from Iowa State did fairly well with a 15-5 overall record and a 2-1 in duals. Looking to revamp a little after the weight class in 23-24 couldn’t get over .500, Kraisser will come in and fill this void well. He is a former NCAA qualifier and looks to return to his winning ways in Champaign.
165- The 165 is kind of a toss up between Braeden Scoles and Caden Ernd, Scoles going 10-4 last season is moving up from the 157. Peota was asked if there is a gap here, and he responded with, “they are both in a position to surprise people.” Ernd posted a 6-4 overall and 1-2 in duals last year. As of now this looks like a big hole in the lineup.
174-Danny Braunagel is back after taking an Olympic Redshirt last season. He went 4-0 while redshirting and was an NCAA Qualifier in 22-23. Overall solid wrestler, could have a breakout year.
184- Edmond Ruth The biggest focus on this weight is Edmond Ruth, with an overall record of 64-12 and 23-4 in duals, the 2X NCAA qualifier and last years Big Ten Champion, needs to be a little more aggressive this year, Peota said, “he needs to be more aggressive in the areas that he’s good, with a hand around the waist there’s no chance of an opponent not being put on the mat.” Can he make top 5 this year?
197- Zac Braunagel is another big position for Illinois, taking an Olympic redshirt last season, the year before went 25-9 overall and 9-4 in duals. He’s a 4X NCAA qualifier, and 2X round of 12 finisher. Peota says he’s excited to return to folkstyle. Illinois should see some good numbers from him this year.
285- Luke Luffman, a 2X NCAA qualifier looks to hold the 285 again, with an 8-3 overall and 4-2 in duals is the only guy at this weight above .500. Injury cut his season short just before the Big Ten duals, the question always is, has he recovered fully.
Looking fairly good this year, are they a top ten team? Possibly. I see a few all-americans on the team, with Webster and Ruth being the leaders.