The Final US Open Scoreboard and Other ILLINI Wrestling News
US OPEN SCOREBOARD
In case you missed it, the ILLINI and the IRTC had a magnificent US Open. There were also IRTC-adjacent wrestlers making their mark. Here is our version of a scoreboard:
A couple of extraneous thoughts from the US Open that didn't get mentioned during our coverage. First of all, I believe that Kannon Webster is now tall enough to walk onto a horse. Also, Jordan Blanton shared a post on Instagram that showed Nick Suriano grabbing Zane Richards singlet A SECOND TIME!
We had pointed out in our Story Board in a previous post how Suriano grabbed Zane's singlet in a futile attempt to keep him from scoring the winning takedown. The singlet grab above looks much worse, as if Nicky Pushups is trying to choke Zane with his own singlet!
PAN AMS
Fresh off their National Championships, Joe Rau and Kamal Bey are entered in the Pan Am Championships. Rau has already won! He went from a national champion to a two-continent champion. He won a total of four bouts, although he did receive an injury forfeit in the championship bout.
In his semifinal, he wrestled a Dominican who was jacked up like Cuban heavyweight boxing legend Teรณfilo Stevenson. With a couple of gut wrenches, the Raustler took a 5-0 lead into the break. Soon after that, a takedown and a gut garnered him the tech fall.
Look for Kamal Bey to take to the mat around 9:00 am (Eastern) later this morning for his qualification matches. Medal matches occur at 5:00 pm (Eastern).
The way this all works out is like a game of Risk. You take over your home or base country, then you want to conquer the whole continent. The way North and South America are connected, though, you need to conquer both continents. Then, my friend, you conquer the world!
THE OSKEEES
Daniel Renshaw wins outstanding Sophomore Scholar. Will he be the next Mahomet-Seymour Heavyweight to become a doctor? I don't know.
Whatever he plans to do with his talent, at least he's not wasting it. That's the lesson from A Bronx Tale, Coach Poeta's favorite movie. You should watch it. And that's why academic achievements will get acknowledged on this forum. Cheers, Daniel!
Other award nominees included:
Daniel Renshaw 4.0 in bioengineering Zac Braunagel — finalist for spirit award Edmond Ruth — finalist for newcomer of the year Dylan Connell — finalist for freshman of the year Lucas Byrd — finalist for Dike Eddleman award
And then you have the handing out of Lettermen jackets. So cool. I had to blow up the photograph to read the note pinned to the empty hanger. Apparently Brian Beers had already received his jacket. You see Jake Harrier trying his on while Edmond Ruth gets ready for his.
WELCOME TO THE IRTC!
Not satisfied with staking a claim to the European Championships with Ermak Kardanov, the IRTC is moving East. Erdenebat Belhbayar comes from Mongolia to Champaign with Olympic credentials and World medals. I saw him helping out in Zane Richards' corner during the US Open Finals.
THE ILLINI RTC GOLF OUTING
It is not until August, but you need some time to get your power foursome together. The outing will be held at Lake of the Woods in Mahomet, a place that is still "storing" in various "liquid bodies" a number of my golf balls.
Also taught the little one to play on that course. Fun times!
THE US OPEN HIGHLIGHT VIDEOS
If you haven't seen them, why not? Here they are. The first one includes the best of We Rachal, Danny Braunagel, Kamal Bey, Zac Braunagel, Joe Rau, Luke Luffman and Tanner Farmer.
This second video shows the handiwork of Luke Luffman, Tanner Farmer, Zac Braunagel, Wyatt Medlin, Kamal Bey and Zane Richards.
Day three of the US Open, and the ILLINI and IRTC showed up with Joey Braunagel and Joey Ruzic in age-level Greco, while Zane Richards stole the spotlight with his win over Nick Suriano.
Day four of the US Open brought out the U20 Freestylers, including ILLINI commit Joey Ruzic (only a Junior in high school), Charlie Fifield, Kole Brower, Caden Ernd, Joey Braunagel and the match between Kannon Webster and Jesse Mendez.
WHAT DID I MISS?
I'm sure I missed a ton, but I blame you! You need to let me know what's going on so I can let everybody else know. Drop me a line on Twitter or Instagram. Or, send me an email at thetortmaster@yahoo.com.
UPDATE: Kamal Bey wins Pan Am Gold! He had a tough Cuban in the finals, but he overcame him 2-1. The Cuban must be the World 77kg Pushout Champion, but he could not push out Bey!
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