Kannon Webster's Debut as an ILLINI Wrestler

Okay. We're finally over our shockface from seeing Kannon Webster take to the mat for the ILLINI during the Navy dual. It was only temporary shockface. That means it's video time. Here ya go:

This doesn't mean that Webster is going to forego a redshirt. In fact, the announcers have indicated that the ILLINI Coaching Staff will use his "five free matches" during the season that redshirts are allowed to wrestle without forfeiting their redshirt status. 

For the record, the match took place on November 4, 2023, as Kannon Webster made his debut as a Fighting ILLINI wrestler with a 20-5* technical fall win over James Latona of Navy. The Midshipman has already been in the Academy's lineup for a year, was a runner-up at the Mat Town Open, and before that, won three state championships in high school.

None of that helped to stop Kannon's onslaught. Video credit to the Big Ten Network and the University of ILLINOIS Athletic Department. Audio credit in the outro to Audio Beats. Fight song 3-in-1 credit to the Fighting ILLINI Marching Band, Gary Smith Conductor. Photo credits in the outro sequence to FightingILLINI.com, NCAA.com, uiaa.org, wrestlingchangedmylife.com, ILLINOISMatmen.com, flowrestling.com, intermatwrestle.com. This video is not to be monetized.

* There was a stalling point awarded late in the match that never showed up on the scoreboard. The final match score should've been 21-5. And, again for the record, Webster did not perform the Lezginka after the win.