JASON KRAISSER
I had heard that this was a possibility. Looks like a grad student or Senior, one-year deal to fill 157 for the former Cyclone. Danny Nini can be built up in the meantime. Logan Swaw can take a well-earned redshirt. Kraisser was a starter for Campbell (20-10) and then for Iowa State (22-15) with a Round of 16.
I expect that this will be the middle and upper-weights for the ILLINI:
149 Kannon Webster
157 Jason Kraisser
165 Braeden Scoles
174 Danny Brawlnagel
184 Edmond Ruth
197 Zac Brawlnagel
HWT Luuuke Luffman
Image above courtesy of our friend FSL ILLINI
If you have been paying attention, you might remember that Jason Kraisser wrestled Mikey Carr during the latter's last dual in an ILLINI singlet. That match was described in terms that would make Grantland Rice proud in FSL ILLINI's post on this website entitled, "One Last Dual for Mikey Carr."
If you haven't read it, I suggest that you do so now. It has been nominated for an actual, real sports writing prize.
Image above courtesy of our friend FSL ILLINI
Because some of you won't read it--shame on you--I will provide a couple of short excerpts here:
Perhaps due to divine recognition of the significance of this match on this day, the music that happened to be playing during the first period of Carr vs. Kraisser came from none other than the star of that evening’s Super Bowl halftime show.
As Rihanna’s -ella, -ella, -ella echoed through the building Mike Carr was snatching up single legs like a starving man at the KFC buffet, notching takedown after takedown before finishing the first period with a rideout as the Rihanna party moved on to “Needed Me” and a lead of 8-3 for Carr.
...
In the second period with bonus point(s) within Carr’s reach Jason Kraisser showed why he was a ranked wrestler and eventual NCAA qualifier. After a Kraisser escape from the down position, Carr’s early momentum slowed and he was called for stalling at 1:14.
Michael Carr would win the match 10-8 and finish with an ILLINI career dual record of 24-5. The ILLINI coaching staff must have seen something in the Kraisser comeback that kept their interest a year and three months later.
Kraisser has a 56-36 college record, which equates to a 61% winning percentage. He also has a sweet bonus percentage of 38%. His hit list of wins includes tough wrestlers such as Jarrett Jacques, Kaden Gfeller, Tommy Askey (who he beat in the NCAA tournament and who was a hot portal commodity this year), Caleb Rathjen and Cael Swensen.
Congratulations to Jason Kraisser and welcome to Champaign! Additionally, congratulations to his family and friends and to the ILLINI staff!
GRADUATES!
More congratulations are in order for these young men who have completed their degree requirements and earned diplomas from the University of ILLINOIS. Congratulations! This is important.
Looks like a few of them finished in time to have an opportunity to add a professional degree in their field of study. Justin Cardani already has his.
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