Illlini Wrestlers Honor Award Winners at Annual Banquet
The University of Illinois wrestling team had plenty to celebrate Sunday evening at the team’s annual banquet, including the school’s first Big Ten Championships in the sport in 53 years. The squad also placed sixth at the NCAA Championships for the ninth Top-10 finish in 13 seasons under head coach Mark Johnson. Illinois also won the conference regular season title, their second consecutive Midlands Tournament, set a school record for most wins in a season and was the runner up at the National Duals.
Senior 184-pounder Brian Glynn (Orland Park, Ill.) and junior 125-pounder Kyle Ott (Huber Heights, Ohio) earned the team’s highest honors of Most Valuable Wrestlers. Glynn in his last season as an Illini placed third at the NCAA Championships, losing only to the eventual national champion along the way. Ott made his second consecutive NCAA Finals, taking second in his second All-America bid.
The Most Outstanding Award went to junior 174-pounder Pete Friedl (Orland Park, Ill.), whose win over Northwestern’s Jake Herbert in the finals of the Big Ten Tournament, solidified the team championship. Senior 133-pounder Mark Jayne (Elyria, Ohio) won two awards for the Illini taking home the honor for Most Falls with seven and Most Courageous for his continuing success despite suffering from turf toe most of the season.
The Most Improved Award went to the obvious choice of sophomore 141-pounder Cassio Pero (Chicago Heights, Ill.). Pero became the starter after an injury to fellow teammate Michael Martin and from there went on to qualify for nationals and become an All-American with his seventh-place finish. The Outstanding Leadership honor was given to junior Alex Tirapelle (Clovis, Calif). Tirapelle fell short of his goal of becoming a three-time All-American, but despite a nagging knee injury selflessly worked out the remaining wrestlers and coached them to victory from the sidelines.
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