Sophomores help coach win home debut
CHAMPAIGN – B.J. Futrell and Jordan Blanton were back in the lineup for Illinois on Saturday.
It showed.
The sophomores returned from injuries and combined for three pins and a major decision as Illinois beat Findlay 46-3 and McKendree 29-16 in the home debut for first-year coach Jim Heffernan.
"We need to get guys to stop holding back," Heffernan said. "But B.J. gave us good energy, and Blanton and (John) Dergo both wrestled well."
Seventh-ranked Dergo (184 pounds) won by technical fall and pin. Futrell (125) had two pins, and Blanton (174) also rolled.
Monticello product Kyle Dooley, a redshirt freshman who weighed in at 157 but wrestled at 165, won by major decision against Findlay.
It was the UI's first match this season at Huff Hall and its final tuneup for the Midlands tournament Dec. 29-30 at Evanston.
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