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Martinez Selected For 50th NWCA All-Star Classic
Isaiah
Martinez has been selected to represent the University of Illinois at
the 50th annual NWCA All-Star Classic for the first time since former
Illini Jesse Delgado (125), BJ Futrell (141), and Jordan Blanton (174)
all competed at the event in 2012. Martinez will compete in the dual
meet format on November 1, 2015 in Atlanta, Georgia against Virginia
Tech’s Nick Brascetta. The 157-pound bout will be broadcast,
along with the rest of the event, live on ESPNU with the meet starting
at 5pm.
“I think it’s pretty special to be invited
to this event,” said Martinez. “I remember seeing my first All-Star
Classic in person during my sophomore year in high school. So now, to
have the opportunity to compete in this event five years later is very
special to me.”
After redshirting in 2013-14,
Martinez completed one of the greatest seasons in Fighting Illini
wrestling history, finishing the campaign with a perfect record of 35-0
and a National Championship in the 157 pound weight class. It was the
first time a freshman completed a perfect season since Cael Sanderson
went undefeated at Iowa State in 1999. In route to winning the NCAA
National Championship, Martinez won the Big Ten Championship and the
2014 Midlands and Roadrunner Open titles. Martinez’s brought home
numerous accolades after the season, including InterMat and Big Ten
Freshman of the Year, Amateur Wrestling News Rookie of the Year, and
Illini Male Newcomer of the Year. Statistically, Martinez outshone his
counterparts by leading the NCAA Division I wrestlers in wins by
technical fall (11) and winning 24 of his 35 duals by major decision or
greater.
The Lemoore, California native will
face off against two-time NCAA All-American and three-time ACC
Champion, Nick Brascetta. The senior placed fourth at 157 pounds in
2015 after beginning the tournament unseeded due to an injury-shortened
season.
The NWCA All-Star Classic kicks off the
collegiate wrestling season as a showcase of the premiere collegiate
wrestlers in the country, and has been the opening event for the
wrestling season since 2004 when it was switched from its former
post-season event status. This will be the first year that the Classic
will be broadcasted on an ESPN network.
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