Jan. 19, 2005

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Tyrone Byrd, Illinois
JR, 197, Clinton, Ill./Clinton

Byrd gave the Fighting Illini a huge boost in their 25-12 win at No. 15 Wisconsin, which opened the Conference dual season for Illinois.  The 197-pound junior scored a huge upset over No. 8 Ryan Flaherty, 3-1, and then went on to win his second match of the weekend, 9-2, over Zach Garren of N.C. State.  Byrd claimed his second victory on very little rest as the match against N.C. State took place just 14 hours after the team returned home from Madison.  For Byrd, the win over Wisconsin's Flaherty was his third upset of the season. He improved to 14-4 on the season.

This is Byrd's first career Wrestler of the Week selection.  He is the first Illini grappler to claim the weekly honor since Alex Tirapelle on January 2, 2004.