The Wisconsin Badgers wrestling team took on #28 Illinois in a dual meet Sunday night. Despite key wins, the Badgers fell 18-17 in a narrow dual at the State Farm Center. The meet saw four total lead changes, but the Fighting Illini were able to string together three matches, and proved to be too much.
Model leads 2-1 after a takedown pic.twitter.com/urBUAtIWoy
— Wisconsin Wrestling (@BadgerWrestling) January 8, 2023
This is the second straight meet the Badgers have dropped. Wisconsin faced #1 Penn State last Friday and lost 28-11 against Roman Bravo-Young and Carter Starocci. Wisconsin is still ranked #11 overall, but after the most recent loss, the Badgers will likely drop ahead of the Michigan meet on January 15th. Below is a review of the ranked Wisconsin wrestlers following yesterday’s defeat.
- 125 lbs, #5 Eric Barnett
- 133 lbs, #27 Taylor LaMont
- 141 lbs, #26 Joe Zargo
- 149 lbs, #2 Austin Gomez
- 157 lbs, #16 Garrett Model
- 165 lbs, #5 Dean Hamiti
- 197 lbs, #14 Braxton Amos
- Heavyweight, #11 Trent Hillger
Badgers secured big wins in heartbreaking loss
Scoring came right out of the gate for Wisconsin. Garrett Model finished a decision win at 157 lbs and Dean Hamiti picked up a tech fall at 165 lbs. Illinois picked up three straight to answer as Edmond Ruth, Dylan Connell, and Zac Braunagel. Braunagel and Braxton Amos produced a wonderful match at 197 lbs that finished 4-3 in favor of Illinois.
Despite the loss, Amos showed tenacity in his take-downs and successfully kept Braunagel away for a portion of the match. Eric Barnett shifted the tides for the Badgers with a 7-1 decision win at 125 lbs, following Trent Hillger’s win at 285 lbs. Wisconsin lost at 133 lbs via decision and then at 141 lbs via fall to solidify the Illinois win.
Ahead of their next match in Ann Arbor against Michigan, the Badgers need to regroup. Coaches Chris Bono and John Reader will surely pull in the team’s focus before the 15th. However, it will be up to the wrestlers themselves to pull the team to victory following their recent performances.
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