Moline's Musings

Illini Second After First Session

Posted by: Brian Moline

Saturday, March 7, 2009 3:01 PM

A solid first session performance from the Illinois wrestling team has them in second place at the Big Ten Championships in State College, PA.  Five of the ten Illini wrestlers won their quarterfinal matches to advance to tonight's semifinals.  The other five will have their first consolation round matches tonight.

The biggest surprise for Illinois was that junior Jimmy Kennedy, the #3 seed at 133 pounds, dropped his quarterfinal match to Penn State's Jake Strayer.  The two had not faced each other this season.

On the positive side, both John Dergo (174) and Patrick Bond (197) won their quarterfinal matches over higher seeded wrestlers to advance to the semis.  The other Illini in the semifinals are Mike Poeta (157), Jordan Blanton (184) and John Wise (Hwt.).  Here's a look at the full bracket and standings after the first session.  Iowa is way out in front after advancing nine of ten wrestlers to the semifinals.

The second session starts at 5 pm central time.

bmoline@wdws.com

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