Nov. 13, 2008

CHAMPAIGN, Ill. - Illinois head coach Mark Johnson announced the signing of two student-athletes to National Letters of Intent Thursday. Sam White, of Massillon, Ohio, and Tony Dallago, of Harrisburg, Pa., will join the Illini program in the fall of 2009. White is currently listed as the No. 7 recruit nationally across all weight classes by RevWrestling.com, while Dallago placed third at NHSCA Junior Nationals.

"We think that Sam and Tony are two of the best wrestlers in the country at their weight classes," Johnson said, "They mesh well with our team and we're looking for big things from them."

White, from Perry High School, was a finalist at Freestyle Junior Nationals in 2008 and was the Ohio State champion in 2007. He was the state runner-up in 2008, and finished second at Freestyle Cadet Nationals in 2007 and fourth in 2006. He will wrestle at 133 pounds at Illinois.

Dallago, from Central Dauphin High School, is a three-time Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic Association state medalist, finishing eighth at 112 pounds in 2006, second at 140 in 2007 and fifth at 152 in 2008. He holds a 124-25 career record heading into the 2009 season and is projected to compete in one of the upper weight classes for the Fighting Illini.