Illini Wrestling Adds 11 Newcomers to Squad

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. – University of Illinois head coach Jim Heffernan announced the addition of 11 student-athletes to the Illini squad for the 2011-12 season on Thursday. The Orange and Blue add three transfers and eight freshmen, including redshirt-freshmen Jesse Delgado and Tucker Armstrong, who join the Illini after spending last season at Cal Poly. These student-athletes join previously announced Caleb Ervin to bring the group of Illini newcomers to 12.

Armstrong, who is from Springfield, Ohio, won the 2008 Ohio Division II state championship at 125 pounds and placed second at 140 pounds in 2010. He also qualified for the state tournament in 2007. Armstrong was a Super 32 champion in 2009, placed third at the 2009 NHSCA Senior Nationals and was a two-time Fargo All-American. He also helped St. Paris Graham High School to a 2008 national high school championship. Armstrong is expected to wrestle at 141 pounds for the Illini and will be eligible immediately, with four years of eligibility remaining.

Delgado went 21-1 in open tournaments in 2010-11, including a victory at the 2011 NWCA National Collegiate Open. He also won the FILA Junior Nationals Freestyle Championships at 55 kg/121 pounds on April 10, 2011. He won a California state title at 112 pounds in 2009 and finished fourth at 125 in 2010. He also took third in the state at 112 in 2008 and third at 103 in 2007. Delgado won the2010 NHSCA Senior National title at 119 and was the NHSCA Sophomore National Champion at 112 in 2008. He was rated the No. 4 recruit nationally by Wrestling USA and No. 5 by both Amateur Wrestling News and WIN Magazine. He will wrestle at 125 for the Illini and will will be eligible immediately, with four years of eligibility remaining.

Evan Ellsworth, a Champaign Central graduate, joins the Illini as a transfer after spending the past two years at Lincoln College. He will compete at 174 and will have three years of eligibility remaining. Jeff Koepke, from Hersey H.S., placed fifth at the 2011 IHSA Class 3A state championships at 160 pounds and sixth in the same weight class in 2010. He will wrestle at 174 or 184. Joe Lamanna, from Schaumburg H.S., placed sixth at the 2011 IHSA Class 3A statechampionships at 189 pounds and will wrestle at 184 or 197 for the Illini.

Chris Lopez, from Sandburg H.S., placed second at the 2011 IHSA Class 3A state championships at 285 pounds and took third at the same weight class in 2010. He finished second at the 2010 Junior Nationals and placed second at the 2011 FloNationals. He will wrestle at heavyweight for the Illini. Brandon Lopez,Chris’ twin brother, also joins the Orange and Blue from Sandburg after qualifying for the 2011 IHSA Class 3A state championships at 171 pounds. Hewill wrestle at 165 or 174 for Illinois.

Matt Nora, from Lyons Township H.S., placed third at the 2011 IHSA Class 3A state championships at 152 pounds. He will wrestle at 157 or 165 for the Illini. Andrew Nyland, from Collinsville H.S., and Dominic Olivieri – from Marist H.S. – who placed fifth at the 2011 IHSA Class 3A at 119 pounds, also join the squad. Nyland will wrestle at 141 or 149, while Olivieri will compete at 125 for Illinois. Matt Ruettiger, from Lincoln-Way West H.S., will wrestle at 157 for the Illini.

2011-12 Incoming Wrestlers

Jesse Delgado, 125

Dominic Olivieri, 125

Tucker Armstrong, 141

Andrew Nyland, 141/149

Caleb Ervin, 149/157

Matt Ruettiger, 157

Matt Nora, 157/165

Brandon Lopez, 165/174

Evan Ellsworth, 174

Jeff Koepke, 174/184

Joe Lamanna, 184/197

Chris Lopez, HWT

Courtesy of Ben Taylor, Assistant Sports Information Director, Illinois Sports Information