MADISON, Wis. — Closing out the Big Ten dual season at home with a bang, No. 9 Wisconsin wrestling took down Illinois, 32-10, at the UW Field House on Friday.

The Badgers won eight of 10 matches against the Fighting Illini, improving to 10-2 overall and 6-2 in conference duals to end the Big Ten dual match season.

True freshman Joseph Zargo demonstrated why he's earned a regular spot in the Badgers' starting lineup at 141 pounds with an impressive 8-6 decision victory in overtime with an upset of Illinois' No. 4 Dylan Duncan. Tied up 6-6 after three periods, Zargo earned a takedown just 13 seconds into sudden victory to seal the upset win. Zargo is currently unranked by Intermat, but FloWrestling has given him a No. 21 nod in the latest polls. Zargo's win also gave the Badgers their first team points of the night on the scoreboard, now 4-3 after Illinois secured a major decision at 133 pounds to open the dual.

Austin Gomez led the Badgers with a furiously fast pin of Illinois' No. 29 Christian Kanzler in 42 seconds. Gomez opened up scoring with a massive takedown to the delight of a rowdy Wisconsin crowd before ending the match quickly with the fall to give Wisconsin its first lead in the team score, 9-4.

True freshman Dean Hamiti (165) secured his 18th victory this season (18-1 overall) and 16th win by bonus points with a 11-1 major decision over No. 29 Danny Braunagel. Hamiti scored four takedowns against the Illinois redshirt sophomore and secured riding time. Teammates Braxton Amos (197) and Trent Hillger (285) also collected major decision victories. No. 22 Amos shutout Matt Wroblewski 10-0, while No. 11 Hillger defeated No. 16 Luke Luffmann 10-2 in the heavyweights.

Redshirt senior Chris Weiler, ranked 27th, also earned an upset with a 8-2 decision over No. 21 Zac Braunagel at 184 pounds. Teammate and 29th-ranked Garrett Model won a 5-1 decision over Joseph Roberts. 

Junior Eric Barnett closed the match with a raise-the-roof pin against Illinois' Dane Durlacher in 3:31. It marks Barnett's third pin of the season and 12th overall win, including six by bonus point. The bout's ending was heated and Wisconsin was given a team point penalty (-1) for unsportsmanlike conduct to make it 32-10.

Wisconsin closes the dual season next week with an away match at No. 18 Northern Iowa on Thursday, Feb. 17 at 7 p.m. before returning home for Senior Day on Sunday, Feb. 20 at noon at the UW Field House. Fans are encouraged to wear red for a 'Red Out' and there will also be a t-shirt giveaway in addition to a special ceremony honors the Badgers departing seniors — Devin Bahr, Anders Lantz, Andrew McNally, Garrett Model and Chris Weiler.

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