The Illinois wrestling team is set to compete at the 2026 Big Ten Championships, which will take place at Penn State’s Bryce Jordan Center in University Park, Pennsylvania, on March 7-8.
Spencer Moore and Lucas Byrd enter the tournament as Illinois’ top-seeded wrestlers. Both secured No. 2 seeds at 125 and 133 pounds respectively, after remaining undefeated in Big Ten duals this season.
Lucas Byrd, who is the defending champion at 133 pounds, holds a perfect record of 17-0 for the season and currently has a 29-match win streak. He aims to become the first Illinois wrestler since Isaiah Martinez (2015-18) to win back-to-back Big Ten titles. Byrd’s career includes notable achievements such as reaching his 100th career win against Lehigh’s Mason Ziegler on November 15, 2025. He has also accumulated the fifth highest win percentage in program history with a record of 113-16 (.876), four top-20 wins this season, and owns the fastest fall among starters at one minute and thirteen seconds.
Kannon Webster is seeded third at 157 pounds after posting a season record of 16-3 and leading the team with seven technical falls. Chris Moore earned a No. 5 seed at 184 pounds after securing five top-25 wins this year.
Other Illinois wrestlers include Braeden Scoles (No. 6 seed at 165 pounds), Luke Luffman (No. 6 seed at heavyweight), Michael Gioffre (No. 9 seed at 149 pounds), Colin Kelly (No. 9 seed at 174 pounds), Danny Pucino (No.12 seed returning from injury at 141 pounds), and Dylan Connell (No.12 seed at 197 pounds).
The championships can be followed through BTN and B1G+ broadcasts over both days of competition.
“Lucas Byrd finished the season with a team-high 62 dual points on a perfect 17-0 overall and dual record and 8-0 in Big Ten duals.
Earned his 100th-career win on Nov.15,2025, against Lehigh’s Mason Ziegler.
Fifth highest win percentage in program history (113-16,.876).
1.Isaiah Martinez 157/165 2013-17 116-3 .975
2.Matt Lackey 165 2000-03 120-14 .896
3.Mike Poeta 157 2006-09 105-14 .882
4.Alex Tirapelle 157 2003-06 128-18 .877
5.Lucas Byrd 133 2020-pres.
113‑16 .876
His win over Minnesota’s Brandon Morvari was his50th career dual win(now57‑3).
His113 wins are the12th most in program history, three wins away from moving into top‑10 in program history.
Has four top‑20 wins on the season.
Active win streak of29 matches, has not lost since Jan.17,2025,(Drake Ayala[IOWA],4‑2 decision).
Owns the fastest fall amongst the starters(1:13).
Second most tech.falls on the team(four).”
“Kannon Webster is16‑3 overall,12‑3 in dual action and4‑2 in Big Ten duals in his redshirt sophomore campaign.
Finished tied for second most dual points on the team with50.
Team leading most tech.falls with seven,two shy of being top‑10 in the country.
Tied for second most major decisions on the team with three.
Has four top‑20 wins on the year.”
“Braeden Scoles is14‑6 overall,12‑5 in duals and6‑2 in Big Ten duals.
Finished tied for second most dual points on the team(44).
Tied for fourth on the team in tech.falls with three.”
“Colin Kelly is15‑6 overall and12‑5 in duals during his redshirt freshman season.
Finished tied for second most dual points on the team(44).
Tied for fourth on the team in tech.falls with three.
Second fastest fall amongst starters(1:26).”
“Spencer Moore is14‑6 overall,10‑6 in duals and a perfect7‑0 in Big Ten duals.
One of two starters to finish perfect in Big Ten duals with Byrd.
Scored38 points in dual action(fifth on the team)and was the sixth starter to crack30+ points.”
“Luke Luffman is12‑4 overall,9‑3 in duals and3‑1 in Big Ten action.
Seventh most dual points on the team(33).
Has the most major decisions on the team with five.”
“Michael Gioffre is14–7 overall.Has second most tech.falls on team(four).Was silver medalist at Midlands Championships.”
“Chris Moore is14–8 overall,10–7 ind ualsand6–2inBigTenaction.Team-highfivetop–25winsontheseason.Tiedforfourthmostmajordecisionsontheteam(three).Sixthmostdualpointsontheteamwith34.WasasilvermedalistattheMidlandsChampionships.”