Illini wrestling sets out to declaw Tigers, prove itself after key losses

Freshman wrestler Daryl Thomas wins his bout against freshman B.J. Futrell at 125 pounds in Huff Hall on Saturday. The match came down to the last 10 seconds when Thomas took down Futrell to win the match 9-7.
The Daily Illini FILE PHOTO

Football has done it with the Arch Rivalry game, and basketball has done it with the Braggin’ Rights game. This year, Illinois wrestling looks to start its own tradition when it takes on the neighboring Missouri Tigers.

The Illini, who are ranked No. 19 in the newly released National Wrestling Coaches Association poll, will head to Missouri on Thursday to take on the No. 10 Tigers. This will be the first meeting between the teams in a dual meet since 2001, when the Illini were defeated 20-13. However, the Illini have participated in the Missouri Open each year since 2000.

“I think it’s good (to face Missouri to open the season.) I think, obviously, they have a very good program, and I think it’s a pretty good test, especially this early,” said Illinois head coach Jim Heffernan.

The match will be the first test for an Illini team that finished eighth at the NCAA Championships last year. New starters Daryl Thomas, Clint Arlis and Conrad Polz will all be looking to start the season strong after winning starting spots in the preseason.

“We’re feeling pretty good. I think we’re confident, and I think we’re ready. We’ve been practicing hard, workouts have been pretty tough, and I think we’re mentally prepared,” said Polz, who will see his first dual meet action in the 165-pound weight class after redshirting last season.

However, Polz will have no easy task as he takes on No. 7 Nick Marable, who took home third place at last season’s NCAA Championships and earned All-America honors.

One of the other keys to watch for will be how sophomore Jordan Blanton and senior John Dergo respond to swapping weight classes after last season.

“I had some success last season. And there’s kind of a lot of things that played in to the decision to move down (to 174 pounds), but I think the biggest is just that my body feels the most comfortable there. That’s the ideal weight class for me to compete at and to do my best,” Blanton said.

Blanton, who enters the season ranked No. 7, will take on No. 20 Dorian Henderson, who is also competing at a lower weight class. The two faced off at the Midlands Championships last season, with Blanton earning a 5-1 decision.

Moving up to the 184-pound weight class, Dergo will also face a ranked opponent in No. 2 Max Askren, who was an All-American at 197 pounds last season.

However, Dergo still carries high hopes into the match.

“I don’t have to focus much on losing so much weight. I’m lifting a lot and keeping my weight up. Every day in practice I feel good and have a lot of energy.

Hopefully that carries over into the match,” Dergo said.

Perhaps the hardest draw comes for redshirt freshman Pat Walker, who, in his first dual meet action ever, will be squaring off with No. 1 and defending NCAA champion Mark Ellis.

While victory will certainly be on the minds of the Illini wrestlers, Heffernan knows that’s not the only thing to look for.

“Just like any other time, I want our guys to compete hard, to do their best and to learn something. Those are the most important things right now, making sure they’re ... progressing and hopefully getting better from it,” Heffernan said.

But this doesn’t mean the Illini have nothing to prove against the Tigers.

“Winning (is the goal), of course,” Dergo said. “(The Tigers) are a top team ... Winning this meet will show that we’re a top team like we’re capable of being.”