UW at Purdue January 23

[TomM]

No. 15 Purdue Wrestling Clips No. 9 Nebraska 18-15
LINCOLN, Neb. - The No. 15 Purdue wrestling team opened its Big Ten schedule in dramatic fashion Friday, posting an 18-15 win at ninth-ranked Nebraska to improve to 7-1 overall. The victory is Purdue's first win over Nebraska since 1985, and its first top-10 dual win since 2004, the first of head coach Tony Ersland's coaching career.
The Boilermakers won five of the 10 matches, with back-to-back tremendous upsets at 174 and 184 pounds. Sophomore Gerrit Nijenhuis earned the biggest win of his young career, taking out third-ranked Mikey Labriola 6-4, and senior Max Lyon followed with a 7-2 decision over 10th-ranked Taylor Venz.
Nijenhuis took the fight to the Nebraska junior right from the get-go, scoring a first-period takedown and riding a 2-1 lead into the second. Labriola evened the score and took the lead in the second, snaring a takedown of his own and carrying a 4-3 edge into the final two minutes. Nijenhuis earned an escape to even the score and then won a scramble in the last 30 seconds, coming out on top for his 12th win of the season and first-ever top-five ranked victory.
Lyon put on a similar performance at 184, beating Venz for the first time in his college career. Lyon put together an unanswered takedown in the first, taking a 2-0 lead and then escapes in the second and third stretched his advantage to 4-0 after Venz took injury time early in the third. Venz got on the board late, but it wasn't enough as Lyon escaped and scored again late to seal the win.

Purdue's other wins came early as the trio of Devin Schroder, Matt Ramos and Parker Filius improved to 24-0 in duals this season to give Purdue an early 12-0 edge. Schroder opened with a 16-0 technical fall over Jerimiah Reno at 125 pounds, turning the Cornhusker in the second and third to post his sixth technical fall and seventh shutout of the season. Ramos used a slick second-period takedown to ride out a 3-1 decision over Alex Thomsen at 133 pounds, and Filius closed out the run with a 12-2 major decision over Tucker Sjomeling at 141. Filius raced out to a 6-0 lead with a first-period takedown and second-period turn, and then closed out with two late takedowns for his fourth major decision of the year.
Purdue limited all five of their losses in the dual to decisions, falling by narrow margins at 157, 165 and 197.
The Boilermakers head to top-ranked Iowa on Sunday for a 2 p.m. CT dual with the Hawkeyes, which will air live on the Big Ten Network.

Match Results
No. 15 Purdue 18 – No. 9 Nebraska 15
125: No. 5 Devin Schroder (PUR) def. Jerimiah Reno (NEB), TF 16-0 (6:16)
133: Matt Ramos (PUR) def. Alex Thomsen (NEB), D 3-1
141: No. 25 Parker Filius (PUR) def. Tucker Sjomeling (NEB), MD 12-2
149: No. 8 Ridge Lovett (NEB) def. Trey Kruse (PUR), D 10-3
157: Jevon Parrish (NEB) def. Cooper Noehre (PUR), SV 5-3
165: Bubba Wilson (NEB) def. Hayden Lohrey (PUR), D 3-1
174: No. 21 Gerrit Nijenhuis (PUR) def. No. 3 Mikey Labriola (NEB), D 6-4
184: No. 23 Max Lyon (PUR) def. No. 10 Taylor Venz (NEB), D 7-2
197: No. 4 Eric Schultz def. No. 15 Thomas Penola (PUR), D 5-2
285: No. 11 Christian Lance (NEB) def. Michael Woulfe (PUR), D 11-4

[dad 2 5]

that is a good win for Purdue

[TomM]

No. 15 Purdue 4 – No. 1 Iowa 36
125: Drake Ayala (IOWA) def. No. 5 Devin Schroder (PUR), D 6-1
133: Matt Ramos (PUR) def. Jesse Ybarra (IOWA), MD 11-1
141: No. 2 Jaydin Eierman (IOWA) def. No. 25 Parker Filius (PUR), D 7-6
149: No. 12 Max Murin (IOWA) def. Trey Kruse (PUR), MD 10-2
157: No. 12 Kaleb Young (IOWA) def. Cooper Noehre (PUR), MD 12-4
165: No. 1 Alex Marinelli (IOWA) def. Hayden Lohrey (PUR), TF 22-7 (7:00)
174: No. 2 Michael Kemerer (IOWA) def. No. 21 Gerrit Nijenhuis (PUR), TF 17-1 (5:42)
184: No. 18 Abe Assad (IOWA) def. No. 23 Max Lyon (PUR), D 6-3
197: No. 5 Jacob Warner (IOWA) def. No. 15 Thomas Penola (PUR), D 3-0
285: No. 6 Tony Cassioppi (IOWA) def. Michael Woulfe (PUR), Fall 1:14

[DocWrestling]

Ayala winning will allow the Iowa fans breathe a little bit in their dreams for team national title.  They were uptight after Friday night again.

[TomM]

Select Matches: Purdue vs. Iowa | Big Ten Wrestling | Jan. 9, 2022 - YouTube
https://youtu.be/fU2lQfsQWYI

Photos: Big Ten Wrestling--#15 Purdue at #1 Iowa. Iowa's Drake Ayala works on a takedown as he wrestles
https://www.thegazette.com/photos/photos-big-ten-wrestling-15-purdue-at-1-iowa/

Photos of No. 2 Iowa wrestling vs. No. 24 Purdue at Carver-Hawkeye Arena - HawkCentral
https://www.hawkcentral.com/picture-gallery/sports/college/iowa/wrestling/2022/01/09/iowa-hawkeyes-purdue-big-ten-college-wrestling-photos/9123930002/

[TomM]

   
Select Matches: Purdue at Nebraska | Big Ten Wrestling | Jan. 7, 2022 - YouTube

https://youtu.be/c_p1lPwRoFs

[TomM]

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – No. 19 Fighting Illini wrestling hits the road this weekend for another ranked Big Ten road matchup, taking on No. 17 Purdue in West Lafayette, Ind. on Friday beginning at 6 p.m. CT. The dual meet will be streamed on BTN+, and live results will be posted on Trackwrestling, or follow along on Twitter at @illiniwrestling for live updates.
PROBABLE STARTERS
No. 19 Illinois      No. 17 Purdue
Wrestler   Record   Weight Class   Wrestler   Record
Justin Cardani
9-4   125 lbs.   Devin Schroder   13-2
Lucas Byrd
12-1   133 lbs.   Matt Ramos   12-4
We Rachal
8-9   141 lbs.   Parker Filius   16-6
Christian Kanzler
8-7   149 lbs.   Alec White   0-2
Joe Roberts
9-9   157 lbs.   Kendall Coleman   10-3
Danny Braunagel
8-6   165 lbs.   Hayden Lohrey   6-5
DJ Shannon
5-4   174 lbs.   Gerrit Nijenhuis   13-9
Zac Braunagel
6-4   184 lbs.   Max Lyon   9-7
Nikita Nepomnyashchiy
2-5   197 lbs.   Thomas Penola   13-5
Luke Luffman
11-3   HWT   Michael Woulfe   12-8
NOTES
•   The Illini began the Big Ten dual season at Rutgers on January 14, dropping the dual meet 21-13 while winning four of the ten bouts.
•   Lucas Byrd earned his team-leading 12th win of the season and improved to 4-0 in dual matches with a 5-0 win over Iowa's Cullan Schriever on January 16.
•   Justin Cardani (125) and Lucas Byrd (133) each earned first place finishes at the Matmen Open on December 29-30. Luke Luffman (285), Zac Braunagel (184), We Rachal (141), Danny Braunagel (165), and Christian Kanzler (149) each finished in the top eight of their respective weight classes.
•   The Illini finished in fourth place out of 21 teams, earning 105 team points at the Matmen Open.
•   The Illini won their first two duals of the season on December 11 taking down UT-Chattanooga and SIU-Edwardsville
•   First-year head coach Mike Poeta earned his first career win on December 11, a 19-12 win over UT-Chattanooga
•   Mike Bosco (285) won the Freshman/Sophomore division at the Lindenwood Open on Nov. 20, his first collegiate tournament.
•   Danny Pucino (141) and Joe Roberts (157) each took fourth place in the Open Division in their respective weight classes at the Lindenwood Open. Caden Ernd (174), Dylan Connell (184) and Joey Braunagel (197) each placed in the top six in the Freshman/Sophomore division.
•   Justin Cardani (125), Lucas Byrd (133), Christian Kanzler (149), and Luke Luffman (285) each took third place in their respective weight classes to begin the season at the MSU Open on Nov. 6.
•   Danny Braunagel (165) and Matt Wroblewski (197) both took fourth place at the MSU Open in their respective weight classes, while DJ Shannon (174) took sixth.
•   Freshmen Dylan Connell (184) and Joey Braunagel (197) both earned runner-up finishes in the freshman/sophomore division at the MSU Open, while Caden Ernd placed sixth.
•   The Illini are currently ranked No. 23 in the NWCA Coaches Poll.
•   Illinois returns 2021 All-Americans and fifth-place finishers Lucas Byrd (133) and Dylan Duncan (141).
•   2021 NCAA qualifiers Lucas Byrd, Dylan Duncan, Danny Braunagel, Zac Braunagel, and Luke Luffman are all returning for the Illini this season.
•   Nine starters return to the expected starting lineup for the 2021-22 season. The Illini welcome in eight newcomers this season, including two transfers in Anthony Federico (Fresno State) and Luke Rasmussen (North Dakota State).
•   Illinois is led by first year head coach Mike Poeta, who previously spent five years as assistant coach of the Fighting Illini before taking over the head coaching job in April 2021.
•   Ed Ruth enters his first year as an assistant coach with the Illini wrestling program. Ruth (Penn State '14) was a three-time NCAA champion and four-time Big Ten champion at 184-pounds.
•   For all future home meets beginning in 2022, Illinois will compete at the State Farm Center after previously holding meets at Huff Hall.
For complete coverage of Fighting Illini Wrestling, visit FightingIllini.com, follow the Illini on Twitter (@illiniwrestling) and Instagram (illiniwrestling) and like Fighting Illini Wrestling on Facebook.

[TomM]

Purdue Wrestling Ready for Raucous Weekend

Online Singlet Auction | Hoops & Headlocks

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. - The 17th-ranked Purdue wrestling team hosts a pair of Big Ten opponents this weekend, welcoming Illinois to Holloway Gymnasium on Friday and following with a dual against No. 8 Wisconsin in Mackey Arena on Sunday. Both duals are centered around special events for the Boilermakers as Friday will be Purdue's annual "Hammer Down Cancer" match, while Sunday is the first-ever Hoops & Headlocks.

The Boilermakers enter the weekend at 7-3 overall and 1-2 in the conference, while Illinois is 2-2 (0-2 B1G) and Wisconsin is undefeated at 7-0 (3-0 B1G) and hosts Nebraska on Friday before coming to West Lafayette.

HAMMER DOWN CANCER
The Boilermakers will wear special edition singlets Friday, which will be auctioned off with all proceeds going to support the Purdue Center for Cancer Research.Purdue last held its "Hammer Down Cancer" event in 2020, raising $2,680 toward campus cancer research. This year's uniforms were donated by Rudis, a wrestling apparel company based out of Ohio.

The auctions for Friday's singlets will be held online, with bids starting at $100 for 13 total singlets. Cash and check donations can also be made at Friday's dual at the fan experience table. Bids online will be accepted through the end of Friday's dual meet, and singlets will be distributed to winners after being cleaned.

HOOPS & HEADLOCKS
Sunday marks a first-of-its-kind event as Purdue wrestling will host Wisconsin in the second half of a doubleheader in Mackey Arena with our fourth-ranked men's basketball team. Purdue men's basketball's matchup against Northwestern is scheduled for a 1 p.m. ET tip, while the wrestling dual is slotted for a 4 p.m. start, with both events airing live on the Big Ten Network. At the conclusion of the men's basketball game, Mackey will be open for free admission with various concession specials beginning at approximately 3:15 p.m.

PURDUE LINEUP & RANKINGS
Purdue held a national ranking in its 32nd straight NWCA Coaches Poll on Tuesday, settling in at No. 17. The Boilermaker individual marks climbed to eight this week as freshman Matt Ramos cracked the top-33 at 133 pounds via InterMat, while senior Michael Woulfe is still earning honorable mention recognition from FloWrestling. Three Boilermakers continue to hold top-15 marks at their respective weight classes, with sophomore Gerrit Nijenhuis just outside the top-15, sitting 16th at 174 via FloWrestling.

Wt.   Wrestler   Record   FloWrestling   InterMat   TheOpenMat   WIN
125   Devin Schroder (R-Sr.)   13-2   13   15   14   15
   Kooper Loehr (R-So.)   4-0   --   --   --   --
133   Matt Ramos (R-Fr.)   12-4   HM   33   --   --
141   Parker Filius (R-Jr.)   16-6   20   24   --   --
   Michael Leveille (R-So.)   6-9   --   --   --   --
149   Alec White (R-Jr.)   0-2   --   --   --   --
157   Kendall Coleman (R-Jr.)   10-3   10   9   11   12
   Cooper Noehre (So.)   9-5   --   --   --   --
165   Hayden Lohrey (R-So.)   6-5   --   --   --   --
174   Gerrit Nijenhuis (So.)   13-9   16   19   18   18
184   Max Lyon (R-Sr.)   9-7   22   28   --   --
   Macartney Parkinson (So.)   8-7   --   --   --   --
197   Thomas Penola (R-Jr.)   13-5   14   16   15   16
285   Michael Woulfe (R-Sr.)   12-8   HM   --   --   --
   Dorian Keys (So.)   0-0   --   --   --   --

LAST TIME OUT
Purdue suffered a heartbreaking loss to visiting Michigan State on Saturday, falling on criteria 17-16. Both sides won five matches, with one win each coming via major decision, but the Spartans outscored the Boilermakers via match points, 50-49, to earn the dual victory. It was Purdue's first-ever regular-season dual decided by criteria. Gerrit Nijenhuis picked up the Boilermakers' bonus points at 174 pounds, posting an 11-3 major decision, while Kendall Coleman posted a decisive ranked win as he toppled No. 19 Chase Saldate at 157 pounds, 10-3.

PURDUE NOTES
• Head coach Tony Ersland is in his eighth season at Purdue and is 64-53 in dual competition with the Boilermakers.
• Ersland wrestled for the University of Iowa from 1992-97, qualifying for the NCAA Tournament at 177, and competing on the highest scoring team at the NCAA Championships in history (170).
• Purdue's season-opening win at Drexel marks eight straight seasons that the Boilermakers have won their first dual of the year under Ersland.
• Purdue opened dual competition 6-0 for the first time since 2008-09.
• The Boilermakers' win at No. 9 Nebraska marked the program's first top-10 ranked victory since 2004 (a 21-20 win on criteria over Arizona State), and the first top-10 career dual victory for Ersland as a head coach.
• Devin Schroder and Max Lyon capitalized on the NCAA's COVID extension waiver, returning for an extra year of eligibility in 2021-22.
• Schroder ranks second in program history in back points, surpassing the 500-point mark at CKLV, and is 15th all-time at Purdue with a .733 win percentage (88-32).
• 48 of Schroder's 90 career wins have come via bonus points (.533), including 27 technical falls, while 39 of his career victories are shutouts (.433).
• Matt Ramos won the 2018 Cadet Freestyle World Championship for the U.S., capturing the 51 kg title in Zagreb, Croatia.
• Ramos's two wins to open the season were his first official folkstyle matches since his senior year of high school at Lockport HS (Illinois) in 2019, winning by technical fall and fall in the two bouts.
• Parker Filius leads the team with 22 matches and 16 victories on the season, including a 9-1 dual record and five bonus-point wins.
• Alec White rejoined the Purdue lineup Saturday, competing for the first time since suffering an injury in the season-opener at Drexel.
• Kendall Coleman surpassed the 60-career match at CKLV, and earned a spot on Purdue's career win- percentage record list, coming in at No. 9 (.773, 51-15).
• Gerrit Nijenhuis has the highest-ranked win of any Boilermaker this season, topping No. 3 Mikey Labriola at Nebraska on Jan. 7. Eleven of his 22 matches this season have come against ranked opponents, earning wins against five of them.
• Max Lyon has cracked the top-20 for career takedowns at Purdue, tied for 20th with Colton Salazar (224.)
• Thomas Penola leads the team in takedowns (52) and total points (154), and nearly half of his scoring this season has come in the third-period, where he's outscoring opponents 73-26.
• Michael Woulfe is wrestling his first collegiate season since 2016 after serving in the United States Navy for the last five years and has picked up right where he left off, adding a team-high six falls to his career total (30) after posting 17 falls in his final year at Navy.

ILLINOIS NOTES
• The Fighting Illini come to West Lafayette at 2-2 in dual competition and 0-2 in the conference, falling to Rutgers (21-13) and Iowa (36-3) to start the Big Ten season.
• Illinois is led by first-year head coach Mike Poeta, who was a three-time All-American and two-time Big Ten Champion for his alma mater from 2004-08.
• The last two duals between Purdue and Illinois have been exceptionally close, with Purdue earning an 18-14 win in 2020, while Illinois came out on top 19-17 in 2021.
• The Illini have six individuals ranked in the latest InterMat polls, including top-10 wrestlers at 133 and 141 pounds.

ILLINOIS PROBABLES

125: No. 28 Justin Cardani (R-So.) – 9-4
133: No. 6 Lucas Byrd (R-Fr.) – 12-1
141: Josh Contreras (R-Jr.) – 0-3
or No. 5 Dylan Duncan (R-Sr.) – 0-0
or We Rachal (R-So.) – 8-9
149: Christian Kanzler (R-Sr.) – 8-7
157: Jake Reicin (So.) – 3-7
or Joseph Roberts (Fr.) – 9-9
165: No. 26 Danny Braunagel (R-So.) – 8-6
174: Baan Rachal (R-So.) – 0-3
184: No. 19 Zac Braunagel (R-So.) – 6-4
197: Nikita Nepomnyashchiy (R-Jr.) – 2-5
285: No. 17 Luke Luffman (So.) – 11-3

WISCONSIN NOTES
• The Badgers enter the weekend ranked No. 8 in the country at 7-0 overall and 3-0 in conference duals.
• Head coach Chris Bono is in fourth season at Wisconsin.
• Purdue assistant AJ Schopp worked with the Wisconsin staff at South Dakota State from 2015-17.
• Eight Wisconsin starters are nationally ranked heading into the weekend, including the No. 8 wrestler at 125, 149, 165 and heavyweight.
• The Badgers host Nebraska on Friday before coming to West Lafayette.

WISCONSIN PROBABLES

125: No. 8 Eric Barnett (Jr.) – 7-1
133: No. 25 Kyle Burwick (R-So.) – 9-8
or Ethan Rotondo (R-Sr.) – 5-5
141: Joey Zargo (Fr.) – 9-6
149: No. 8 Austin Gomez (R-Jr.) – 10-1
157: No. 27 Garrett Model (R-Sr.) – 10-6
165: No. 8 Dean Hamiti (Fr.) – 14-0
174: No. 22 Andrew McNally (R-Sr.) – 6-3
184: Chris Weiler (R-Sr.) – 6-7
197: No. 22 Braxton Amos (Fr.) – 13-3
285: No. 8 Trent Hilger (R-Sr.) – 11-2

Rankings listed InterMat


Tanner D Lipsett
Supervisor of Wrestling Operations /
Associate Director Strategic Communications
Purdue University Athletics
900 John R. Wooden Drive
Mackey Arena - Room 2216
West Lafayette, Ind. 47907
Office: (765) 494-3197
Twitter: @Tanner_Lipsett
www.PurdueSports.com

[dad 2 5]

22-16 Badger if not a little more, could see them win two others to make it 28-10

[Harris]

Hey Tom - Do the Badgers put out a press or media release for each dual or week similar to the one that you posted from Purdue?  It is exceptional.  It reminds me of the media book they give the announcers when they show up for a dual meet.  I'm just wondering if Wisconsin is doing this each week as well and if it is made public.  Thanks!

[Harris]

1/18 Intermat Rankings:

125 #8 Eric Barnett (8-1) vs #15 Devin Schroder (14-2) - 3X NCAA Qualifier, Barnett 2-1 All time
133 #25 Kyle Burwick (9-9) vs #33 Matt Ramos (12-5)
141 Joey Zargo (9-7) vs #24 Parker Filius (17-6) - Zargo SV winner last time
149 #8 Austin Gomez (11-1) vs Trey Kruse (2-11) or Alec White (0-3)
157 #27 Garrett Model (10-7) vs #9 Kendall Coleman (11-3) - 2X NCAA Qualifier, Beat Model 14-10 last year or Cooper Noehre (10-4)
165 #8 DJ Hamiti (15-0) vs Emil Soehnlen (3-5) or Hayden Lohrey (7-5)
174 #22 Andrew McNally (6-4) vs #19 Gerrit Nijenhuis (14-9) - NCAA Qualifier
184 Chris Weiler (6-8) vs #28 Max Lyon (9-8) - 3X NCAA Qualifier, Weiler 2-0 in previous matches
197 #22 Braxton Amos (13-4) vs #16 Thomas Penola (14-5), 2X NCAA Qualifier
285 #8 Trent Hillger (11-3) vs Michael Woulfe (13-9) - NCAA Qualifier, Hillger beat him 11-3 last year

Purdue is 8-3 and ranked #17 in NWCA coaches poll
Wisconsin is 7-1 and ranked #8 in NWCA coaches poll

[Harris]

In my opinion, this is going to be another really tough dual for the Badgers on the road based on the match ups.  Everyone needs to show up ready to fight.

125 - One of my favorite pictures from last year is Barnett pinning Devon Schroder in dramatic fashion.  In fact, this picture is now hanging in the hall outside the wrestling room.  https://bigten.org/news/2021/1/26/general-iowa-and-wisconsin-share-wrestler-of-the-week-honor.aspx

I expect some fireworks in this match as well and think Schroder will be looking for some revenge.  Barnett is wrestling at a very high level this year and this is a key matchup.

133 - After the heartbreaking SV loss last night against Nebraska, I expect Burwick is hungry and angry.  He has a tough, well matched, opponent and I see this match as a toss up but another key point in the path to victory.

141 - Joey Zargo has impressed me with his wrestling so far.  He has wrestled arguably one of the toughest schedules this year and what I saw from him last night is he is not afraid to fight against anyone (I love this) and he is wrestling a full 7 minutes even against the top wrestlers in the country.  He does not give up and continues to try and score.  As a coach, I would love having guys like this on my team.  He beat Filius in SV last time. 

149 - Gomez is a beast.  Love how he wrestles.  Love how he embraces being a team leader.  Looking for a pin here.

157 - Model is another guy who has had some tough matchups lately.  I love his heart and he has a huge gas tank.  Kendall Coleman is a stud but he is beatable and Model has proven he can hang with anyone. 

165 - Hamiti is worth the price of admission.  I love how he can wrestle in any position.  He is dangerous and really gets the team and crowd fired up.  Love this!!!!  Looking for a pin here as well.

174 - McNally is a stud.  I agree he looks a little off the past few weeks and this matchup has HUGE team implications.  I would love to see McNally fight for every position and every point.  If he wrestles like he is capable, he should win this match in a close one.  This match will have a big impact on seeding at the end of the year as well. 

184 - Weiler is 2-0 against Lyon who is a really good wrestler.  I hope these previous results give Weiler the edge in this match.  He knows he can beat this guy and the team really needs him to show up and do it again.

197 - I saw Amos in the hall after his heart wrenching 3-1 loss to the #3 guy in country last night.  I could see in his eyes that he knew he could win that match.  Anyone who questions this guys heart or passion is crazy.  He is getting better each match and I am still super excited to see him at the end of the year.  He is wrestling way better on the bottom!  I honestly think he can beat anyone at his weight class.  He is a winner and this matchup is huge for him and the team.  I am still waiting for him to toss one of these guys to their back from his feet.  It's going to happen and I hope it is in this match.

285 - Hillger is another guy who took a tough loss last night and I think this one really upset Thor.  I expect him to come out and dominate this match right through until March.  He is a huge team leader and one of my favorite people and wrestlers on the team.  I love what he said after the dual last night:

"I wouldn't want any other guys to go to war with. We're going to bounce back. We'll figure it out and be ready to dominate in March!"

[vsmf2010]

In my opinion, this is going to be another really tough dual for the Badgers on the road based on the match ups.  Everyone needs to show up ready to fight.

125 - One of my favorite pictures from last year is Barnett pinning Devon Schroder in dramatic fashion.  In fact, this picture is now hanging in the hall outside the wrestling room.  https://bigten.org/news/2021/1/26/general-iowa-and-wisconsin-share-wrestler-of-the-week-honor.aspx

I expect some fireworks in this match as well and think Schroder will be looking for some revenge.  Barnett is wrestling at a very high level this year and this is a key matchup.

133 - After the heartbreaking SV loss last night against Nebraska, I expect Burwick is hungry and angry.  He has a tough, well matched, opponent and I see this match as a toss up but another key point in the path to victory.

141 - Joey Zargo has impressed me with his wrestling so far.  He has wrestled arguably one of the toughest schedules this year and what I saw from him last night is he is not afraid to fight against anyone (I love this) and he is wrestling a full 7 minutes even against the top wrestlers in the country.  He does not give up and continues to try and score.  As a coach, I would love having guys like this on my team.  He beat Filius in SV last time. 

149 - Gomez is a beast.  Love how he wrestles.  Love how he embraces being a team leader.  Looking for a pin here.

157 - Model is another guy who has had some tough matchups lately.  I love his heart and he has a huge gas tank.  Kendall Coleman is a stud but he is beatable and Model has proven he can hang with anyone. 

165 - Hamiti is worth the price of admission.  I love how he can wrestle in any position.  He is dangerous and really gets the team and crowd fired up.  Love this!!!!  Looking for a pin here as well.

174 - McNally is a stud.  I agree he looks a little off the past few weeks and this matchup has HUGE team implications.  I would love to see McNally fight for every position and every point.  If he wrestles like he is capable, he should win this match in a close one.  This match will have a big impact on seeding at the end of the year as well. 

184 - Weiler is 2-0 against Lyon who is a really good wrestler.  I hope these previous results give Weiler the edge in this match.  He knows he can beat this guy and the team really needs him to show up and do it again.

197 - I saw Amos in the hall after his heart wrenching 3-1 loss to the #3 guy in country last night.  I could see in his eyes that he knew he could win that match.  Anyone who questions this guys heart or passion is crazy.  He is getting better each match and I am still super excited to see him at the end of the year.  He is wrestling way better on the bottom!  I honestly think he can beat anyone at his weight class.  He is a winner and this matchup is huge for him and the team.  I am still waiting for him to toss one of these guys to their back from his feet.  It's going to happen and I hope it is in this match.

285 - Hillger is another guy who took a tough loss last night and I think this one really upset Thor.  I expect him to come out and dominate this match right through until March.  He is a huge team leader and one of my favorite people and wrestlers on the team.  I love what he said after the dual last night:

"I wouldn't want any other guys to go to war with. We're going to bounce back. We'll figure it out and be ready to dominate in March!"

+1 and well said

[dad 2 5]

Match Results
No. 17 Purdue 25 - Illinois 13
125: No. 15 Devin Schroder (PUR) def. No. 28 Justin Cardani (ILL), D 1-0
133: No. 6 Lucas Byrd (ILL) def. No. 33 Matt Ramos (PUR), D 5-0
141: No. 24 Parker Filius (PUR) def. We Rachal (ILL), TF 16-0 4:52
149: Christian Kanzler (ILL) def. Alec White (PUR), D 3-1
157: No. 9 Kendall Coleman (PUR) def. Joe Roberts (ILL), D 10-7
165: Hayden Lohrey (PUR) def. No. 26 Danny Braunagel (ILL), D 7-5
174: No. 19 Gerrit Nijenhuis (PUR) def. DJ Shannon (ILL), Fall 2:00
184: No. 19 Zac Braunagel (ILL) def. No. 28 Max Lyon (PUR), D 5-2
197: No. 16 Thomas Penola (PUR) def. Nikita Nepomnyashchiy (ILL). TF 23-8 6:35
285: No. 17 Luke Luffman (ILL) def. Michael Woulfe (PUR), 10-2

[dad 2 5]

Next matchup: 01/23
Since 2014: Wisconsin: 4 - 1
WrestleStat Prediction:
Wisconsin over Purdue 17 - 15