One gut away...

[Rob Sherrill]

Zane Richards was at a decided size disadvantage compared to Rossi Bruno, the first of Brandon (Fla.)'s three Junior Greco finalists.

And that proved to be the difference at the end of the first period of the 125-pound final, when Bruno stopped a Richards gut attempt in the closing seconds of the clinch and turned it into a two-point exposure for a 2-0 victory that got him off to a good start.

It turned out to be the only scoring move of the match. Richards defended successfully to win the second period and Bruno just did manage to fight off another Richards gut attempt - stopping it short of 90 degrees in the closing seconds - to finish off a 2-0, 0-1, 1-0 victory.

Great match. Jahwon Akui will be up last for Illinois on Mat 1 at 171.