Illinois Wrestler Podcast

Illinois Wrestler
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Welcome to the Illinois Wrestler Podcast, your ultimate source for everything wrestling in Illinois. Join us as we discuss the latest matches, tournament results, and rankings of our state's top wrestlers. We will also be bringing you exclusive interviews with athletes and coaches from around the state who help shape the Illinois wrestling community.

  1. May 6

    2026 Illinois Freestyle State Recap: Junior Division Results, Champions & Takeaways

    In this episode of the Illinois Wrestler Podcast, we break down the 2026 Illinois Freestyle State results for the Junior division.We go weight-by-weight through the action, highlight the champions, top placers, standout performances, and key takeaways from one of the biggest freestyle events of the spring. The Junior division always gives a strong look at some of the best high school wrestlers in Illinois, and this year’s results gave us plenty to talk about.We discuss what stood out, which wrestlers made a statement, and what these results could mean as athletes continue through the freestyle season.Whether you were at the event, following from home, or catching up on the results, this episode gives you a full breakdown of the Junior division at the 2026 Illinois Freestyle State Championships.Topics include:2026 Illinois Freestyle State resultsJunior division champions and placersWeight-by-weight breakdownsStandout performancesIllinois high school wrestling freestyle coveragePresented by 815Digital.com

    51 min

  2. Apr 15

    Getting To Know Eric Schultz, Assistant Coach for Fighting Illini Wrestling | Illinois Wrestler

    Dalton and Dustin sit down with University of Illinois Assistant Coach Eric Schultz for a conversation that hits close to home for Illinois wrestling fans. A native of the state and a Tinley Park High School graduate, Schultz shares his journey from IHSA State Champion to competing at the highest level in college wrestling.Schultz takes us through his career at the University of Nebraska, where he became a five-time NCAA qualifier, Big Ten finalist, and 2022 All-American at 197 pounds. He reflects on that All-American run, including tight battles with top competition and what it took to finish on the podium.Now back in Illinois after being hired in July 2025, Schultz talks about what it means to coach in his home state, his perspective on developing athletes at the college level, and how Illinois Wrestling can continue to grow moving forward.

    28 min

  3. Mar 13

    NCAA Wrestling Championships Breakdown: Illinois D1 & D3 National Qualifiers | Illinois Wrestler

    On this episode of the Illinois Wrestler Podcast, Dalton, Mark, and Jim preview the NCAA D1 & D3 Nationals. The crew starts by going through the 18 wrestlers from Illinois who qualified for the 2026 Division 1 National Championships, breaking down the brackets and where everyone stands heading into the tournament. After that, the conversation shifts to Division 3 Nationals, with a full preview of this weekend’s tournament and the top contenders to watch.

    1h 1m

  4. Mar 4

    Chris Perry Joins to Talk Big 12’s & Iowa State Wrestling | Illinois Wrestler Podcast

    Iowa State assistant coach Chris Perry joins the podcast to talk about the Cyclones’ season, the upcoming Big 12 Championships, and what lies ahead as the final month of the Division I wrestling season begins. The crew also recaps the IHSA Team State Tournament and discusses the recent coaching change at the University of Illinois.

    40 min

  5. Feb 26

    2026 IHSA State Tournament Recap: 1A, 2A & 3A (175–285) | Illinois Wrestler Podcast

    In this episode, the crew finishes breaking down the 2026 IHSA State Tournament, going class by class through 1A, 2A, and 3A from 175 to 285. From tight semifinal battles to dominant championship performances, the guys unpack the moments that defined the upper weights and reshaped the podium. If you want the full picture of how the tournament closed out in Champaign, this episode of the Illinois Wrestler Podcast delivers it.

    39 min

  6. Feb 24

    2026 IHSA State Tournament Recap: 1A, 2A & 3A (106–165) | Illinois Wrestler Podcast

    The crew is back to break down the 2026 IHSA State Tournament in detail. In this episode, we go class by class through 1A, 2A, and 3A from 106 to 165, analyzing the brackets, the upsets, the statement wins, and the performances that defined the weekend. If you want a true deep dive into how the lower and middle weights shook out in Champaign, this full recap on the Illinois Wrestler Podcast has you covered.

    1h 10m

  7. Feb 17

    2026 IHSA State Tournament Picks: Sectional Recap & Full Bracket Breakdown | Illinois Wrestler

    The full crew is back to break down sectional results from across the state and turn their focus to Champaign. In this episode, the guys go weight class by weight class, analyzing matchups, debating contenders, and making their official picks for the 2026 IHSA State Tournament. If you want insight, bold predictions, and a complete preview heading into the biggest weekend of the year, this is a must-listen on the Illinois Wrestler Podcast.

    1h 24m

  8. Feb 13

    Wes Hand Joins the Show: From Iowa NCAA Finalist to High School Coach | Illinois Wrestler Podcast

    On today’s episode, the crew is joined by Wes Hand, All-American and national finalist for the University of Iowa. Wes shares insights from his time competing at the highest level of college wrestling and reflects on the transition into coaching at Pleasant Valley High School, where he’s now in his second season. The conversation also dives into the differences between Illinois and Iowa wrestling, from culture and training styles to the overall competitive landscape.

    47 min
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About

Welcome to the Illinois Wrestler Podcast, your ultimate source for everything wrestling in Illinois. Join us as we discuss the latest matches, tournament results, and rankings of our state's top wrestlers. We will also be bringing you exclusive interviews with athletes and coaches from around the state who help shape the Illinois wrestling community.

Information

  • Creator
    Illinois Wrestler
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    61
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Illinois Wrestler
  • Show Website
    Illinois Wrestler Podcast