Fox Lane Grad Rodrigues Wins Title In Illinois Debut

BEDFORD, N.Y. – Steven Rodrigues eagerly has been waiting to make his University of Illinois wrestling debut and when he did, the Fox Lane graduate made an impact.

Fox Lane graduate Steven Rodrigues began his Illinois wrestling career by winning the 141-pound weight class at the Loras Open.
Photo Credit: *Courtesy University of Illinois Sports Information*

by Tony Pinciaro

11/10/2012 12:01 a.m.

Rodrigues, a red-shirt freshman, went 4-0 to win the 141-pound Gold Division at the recent Loras College Open in Dubuque, Iowa.

The 2011 Fox Lane graduate and state wrestling champion registered two wins by technical fall and two by major decision, including a 12-4 verdict in the final against Gustavo Martinez of Grandview College.

Rodrigues began his college career at Rutgers before transferring to Illinois for the 2012 spring semester.

“I felt excited to finally compete in an Illinois singlet,” Rodrigues said. “It had been a long summer and fall of training. I had a good flow going when my matches started and as they progressed, my intensity increased.”

Rodrigues did not give up a takedown to his opponents.

All of the points they scored came on escapes.

“I made sure I was relentless on my attacks and stayed focused,” Rodrigues said. “It was nice to start the season on a positive by winning this tournament.”

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