The Illini opened their home schedule with a pair of duels against Findlay and McKendree. The Illini enjoyed the injury return of several wrestlers, most notably Sophomores B.J. Futrell and #9-ranked Jordan Blanton. Futrell and Blanton combined for three pins and a major decision.
Clint Arlis and #7-ranked John Dergo also wrestled well. Clint defeated Michael Lybarger (UF) 10-5 and earned a major decision by shutting down Isaiah Gonzalez 10-0 to finish off McKendree. John looked very impressive earning an early technical fall over Jeff Havelka (UF) and finishing with a pin against Andrew Barbier (MU).
Illinois didn't dominate McKendree beating them 29-16 but finished the day by nearly shutting out Findlay 46-3.
The Illini's next competition is Midlands, December 29th & 30th in Evanston, Ill.
Illinois 46, Findlay 3
125: B.J. Futrell (ILL) pinned Nick Weisjahn (UF), 1:12, 6-0
133: Daryl Thomas (ILL) forfeit over N/A (UF), 12-0
141: Vince Vercelli (ILL) pinned Josh Falk (UF), 3:15, 18-0
149: Jeremy Espinoza (UF) dec. Jake Beechy (ILL), 8-4, 18-3
157: Clint Arlis (ILL) dec. Michael Lybarger (UF), 10-5, 21-3
165: Kyle Dooley (ILL) maj. dec. Kris Bawser (UF), 12-4, 25-3
174: #9 Jordan Blanton (ILL) pinned Justin Shannon (UF), 2:14, 31-3
184: #7 John Dergo (ILL) tech fall Jeff Havelka (UF), 17-2 (4:08), 36-3
197: Patrick Bond (ILL) maj. Dec. Daniel Stevenson (UF), 13-3, 40-3
HWT: Pat Walker (ILL) win by forfeit N/A (UF), 46-3
Illinois 29, McKendree 16
165: Aaron Winning (MU) dec. #19 Conrad Polz (ILL), 11-5, 0-3
174: #9 Jordan Blanton (ILL) maj. dec. David Dwyer (MU), 15-7, 4-3
184: #7 John Dergo (ILL) pinned Andrew Barbier (MU), 4:14, 10-3
197: Andrew Sanchez (MU) dec. Patrick Bond (ILL), 4-0, 10-6
HWT: Marty Smith (ILL) pinned Chas Maloch (MU), 4:00, 16-6
125: B.J. Futrell (ILL) pinned A.J. Ciccarelli (MU), 5:39, 22-6
133: Wade Lowe (MU) pinned Daryl Thomas (ILL), 2:29, 22-12
141: Kyle Williams (MU) maj. dec. Vince Vercelli (ILL), 15-2, 22-16
149: Jake Beechy (ILL) dec. Jake Murphy (MU), 4-3, 25-16
157: Clint Arlis (ILL) maj. dec. Isaiah Gonzalez (MU), 10-0, 29-16
