Danny Braunagel and the New Jombo!

DANNY BRAUNAGEL

At the ILLINI Wrestling Blog and Forum and Beyond, we will always highlight the athletic and academic and dairy-related activities of ILLINI grapplers. Seriously, becoming a Poet-Warrior is a very noble achievement. 

In ancient Irish mythology, the Warrior-Poet is embodied by Finn McCool. McCool had many adventures, including the slaying of the fire-breathing man who laid waste to Tara every year. He created the Isle of Man by throwing part of Ireland into the sea, and so forth. 

On top of that, he was learned, a Poet, and a man of great wisdom. 

Lucas Byrd has been a Scholar-Athlete of the Week, and so has Zac Braunagel. This time, it is Little Brawny. Here's the write-up from FightingILLINI.com:

"Danny Braunagel continued his impressive start to the 2022-23 season by posting a pair of wins for the No. 19-ranked Illini in the team's home-opening dual split vs Chattanooga and No. 17 Pitt, on Dec. 3 at State Farm Center. 

Braunagel, who opened the year with second-place finishes at both the Michigan State Open and the Tiger Style Invite, also defeated his opponents in matchups vs. Buffalo and NC State in mid-November, setting the stage for his performance in Champaign. 

He earned his first victory of the day via technical fall over Chattanooga's Jackson Hurst at the 6:04 mark to help the Illini to a 22-7 win over the Mocs. Braunagel then gutted out a hard-earned win over Pitt's Holden Heller. After trailing 4-1 early in the bout, Braunagel fought back to push the match to overtime. In the OT period he seemed to have the match won with an early takedown before a challenge from Pitt overturned the call. Braunagel persevered, however, and ultimately left no doubt with a successful takedown on Heller to secure the win 9-7, come-from-behind victory.  

Braunagel is a graduate student from Belleville, Ill., studying Management; he is an active member of both the FCA and SAAC."

The Brawlnagel is at a very nice 10-2 on the year so far, and if healthy, you can expect him to be a major force for good in conference and the post season. Here's one of my favorite videos featuring Danny Braunagel using the Thug Life meme:

THE ADVENTURES OF JOMBO

If you are a University of Iowa Wrestling fan, you have the opportunity to own one of the most hallowed pieces of Hawkeye wrestling history. The hit cartoon, The Adventures of Jombo, is now an institution in Hawk lore, much like the Liberty Bell and the Constitution are icons of American democracy. 

For one billion dollars (US), you can own an NFT of the strip below and show it proudly to your stupid Hawkeye friends. Won't you be proud! We do not accept Meth. This investment is sure to increase in value as the years go by. Don't wait! Get your very own Jombo today!