UPDATE FROM THE MSU OPEN

THE GOOD SPORTSMAN.  We Rachal let's the ref know that the scorer's table didn't give his opponent a point for an escape. Shows character and confidence. But there were first-tournament-of-the-year making weight issues, and Rachal ran out of gas in the second period. To bad, he was superior to this guy on their feet. 

BAAN RACHAL.  I didn't get to this match until the middle of the first period with the score Rachal 0 and Tony Mantanona of Oklahoma -3. Minus three? Flo/Track scorekeepers!

FASHION FAUX PAS.  The Edinboro Scots wrestled in plaid polyester kilts. 

MAXIMO!  With an absolutely brutal absolutely beautiful fireman's to start off his ILLINI career. It led to 4 immediate backpoints and riding time. He was up 6-0 after the first period against the Ohio State wrestler, Ajabu Crews. Wicked flip over escape in the second to go up 7-0. Then, another takedown in the second period. Brilliant riding from Maximo, and a pin within 4 seconds of the start of the third period with a cradle. Great Start!

In his second match, Maximo built a huge lead against a Cornerstone wrestler, but then gassed in the third period. 

NO DUNCAN, CARR OR ZAC BRAUNAGEL.  Hope all is well. 

LUCAS BYRD.  Starts off with an energetic head-in-the-hole takedown followed by massive mat return against Caleb Tanner of Oklahoma. The Okie with an escape, but a quick sweep single, and Byrd is up 4-1. Bow and Arrow for four back points, and Byrd looks back at the camera and smiles. The poor kid from Oklahoma finally stands up from the down position, and Lucas back trips and sticks him in an uncountably small amount of time. 

JUSTIN CARDANI.  Both his first- and second-period d takedown attempts finished off camera. But there was no finish against Oscar Sanchez of Ohio. Justin won in overtime during the rideouts by escaping and holding the Bobcat down. Still, Cardani was in on legs 5 or 6 times and didn't finish. That finish will make him an All American. 

OVER-POLICING.  I would suggest watching eight mats at the same time with a fridge and a pee bottle nearby. Just don't do it in Walmart. Apparently they'll call the police on you. 

CADEN ERND.  Takedown for Orange within the first 50 seconds of his college career. He was facing Cody Brenner of CMU. He rode the wrists hard, used the Claw and Crab rides to get 2:12 of riding time at the end of the first period. Brenner has a Ben Askren fro which is an odd choice in 2021. Ernd with the escape in the second, but riding time is down to :39. And he wins his first match 3-1! 

DYLAN DUNCAN SIGHTING.  He was there in street clothes cheering on his team. Yay!

DYLAN CONNELL.  He also won his first collegiate match! It was 9-2 against a strong kid from Wisconsin. Dylan ended up with 3:47 or thereabouts in riding time. (So, technically, it would've been a 10-2 major). Nice way to start your career!

JOE ROBERTS WITH THE 2.  So far, Roberts has won his first two. The second match in the championship bracket was against Findlay's James Wimer. In that match, Joe needed a takedown in the last 30 seconds, and he got it, by sucking in the champ and putting him down. Pure guts. Then, the new ILLINI rode him out. Great start! That Wimer kid is super strong, and has 84 wins in college. 

DANNY BRAUNAGEL WITH TWO!  His first match was against Nathan Tausch of Cal Poly. He started with a single, held it up and chopped him down. Tausch escaped, but a knee pick to another single and it was 4-1 before the Littlest Brawlnagel added back points. The first period ended 8-1 with 2:00 of riding time for the good guy. Escape and sweep single, and Danny looks real good. But, then, he needed "1:05 of concussion time." It also looked like he tweaked his ankle. After injury time, he got the takedown for a techfall, 16-1, with riding time, 17-1. 

ZAC BRAUNAGEL SIGHTING.  He's in this street clothes and walked out on the mat with Coach Poeta when Danny was injured. 

TREY SIZEMORE.  His first match of the year ended with an OT victory, as he gutted out a double in the extra period. His opponent was Bret Fedewa of CMU, who is a fifth-year Senior and one-time starter for the Chippewas. 

DJ SHANNON.  "The Future" also had a close call against a game Cal Poly wrestler, winning with an escape with :05 to go in the third period.