Indiana University Athletics
Transfer Pair Bolsters IU Wrestling Room
8/31/2018 10:39:00 AM | Wrestling
Coach Escobedo acquires returning D-II All-American and native Hoosier
BLOOMINGTON, Ind. – In addition to the six incoming freshmen arriving in the Hoosiers' wrestling room this fall, two transfer students—redshirt freshman Paul Konrath and junior Fernando Silva—expect to make an instant impact on the team with their arrival at the start of the semester. The eight-man group of newcomers exemplifies the culture change taking place in the first year under head coach Angel Escobedo.
Konrath, a native of Mount Vernon, Indiana, joins IU after a redshirt season at the University of Wisconsin. Silva, a 2018 NCAA Division-II All-American and former Illinois high school state champion, comes to Bloomington after two seasons at Notre Dame College.
The seventh Indiana-born student-athlete to join the Hoosiers' incoming group, Konrath led all Badgers' unattached wrestlers with 21 wins, 98 takedowns, the fastest fall (0:43), and the fewest losses (3). Konrath won three open championships, two at 133 lbs. and one at 141 lbs. Konrath held his own at the prestigious Midlands Championships with a seventh-place finish that included a win over 13th-ranked Korbin Myers (Edinboro). Overall, Konrath posted a 21-3 record with 11 bonus point victories.
Prior to joining Wisconsin, Konrath was one of the nation's most sought-after lightweight prospects. Ranked 16th (132 lbs.) by The Open Mat and 20th by FloWrestling, Konrath won championships at FLO Nationals and the USA Wrestling Freestyle Nationals alongside a title at the Cliff Keen Folkstyle Nationals. A two-time Indiana state placewinner, Konrath went 97-7 in his folkstyle prep career with two appearances on the Indiana Greco/Freestyle Cadet Dual team and the Indiana Scholastic team.
Illinois native Fernando "Fernie" Silva comes to Indiana after a standout career at Notre Dame College. Last season in Des Moines, Silva earned third-place in the 157 lbs. National Championship with a 4-1 record and one fall. He sealed his All-American status with a 7-5 decision over Ryan Strope (McKendree) and earned third-place on the podium with his 12-7 decision over Matt Malcom (Nebraska-Kearney).
Silva was an alternate selection at the 2017 National Championships his freshman season after taking a fifth-place finish at the D-II Super Regional.
Like Konrath, Silva completed a standout prep career and became a familiar face at the IHSA State Championships, winning the 2016 title at 152 lbs. and making the 2014 finals at 145 lbs. The 2016 title run included a major decision and two pins, clinching the top spot with a 3:32 fall in the final match. Silva also qualified for the 2015 IHSA Championships, going 1-2 with a major decision.
Silva intends to wrestle at 149 lbs. for Indiana; Konrath will begin his varsity career at 133 lbs.
Konrath, a native of Mount Vernon, Indiana, joins IU after a redshirt season at the University of Wisconsin. Silva, a 2018 NCAA Division-II All-American and former Illinois high school state champion, comes to Bloomington after two seasons at Notre Dame College.
The seventh Indiana-born student-athlete to join the Hoosiers' incoming group, Konrath led all Badgers' unattached wrestlers with 21 wins, 98 takedowns, the fastest fall (0:43), and the fewest losses (3). Konrath won three open championships, two at 133 lbs. and one at 141 lbs. Konrath held his own at the prestigious Midlands Championships with a seventh-place finish that included a win over 13th-ranked Korbin Myers (Edinboro). Overall, Konrath posted a 21-3 record with 11 bonus point victories.
Prior to joining Wisconsin, Konrath was one of the nation's most sought-after lightweight prospects. Ranked 16th (132 lbs.) by The Open Mat and 20th by FloWrestling, Konrath won championships at FLO Nationals and the USA Wrestling Freestyle Nationals alongside a title at the Cliff Keen Folkstyle Nationals. A two-time Indiana state placewinner, Konrath went 97-7 in his folkstyle prep career with two appearances on the Indiana Greco/Freestyle Cadet Dual team and the Indiana Scholastic team.
Illinois native Fernando "Fernie" Silva comes to Indiana after a standout career at Notre Dame College. Last season in Des Moines, Silva earned third-place in the 157 lbs. National Championship with a 4-1 record and one fall. He sealed his All-American status with a 7-5 decision over Ryan Strope (McKendree) and earned third-place on the podium with his 12-7 decision over Matt Malcom (Nebraska-Kearney).
Silva was an alternate selection at the 2017 National Championships his freshman season after taking a fifth-place finish at the D-II Super Regional.
Like Konrath, Silva completed a standout prep career and became a familiar face at the IHSA State Championships, winning the 2016 title at 152 lbs. and making the 2014 finals at 145 lbs. The 2016 title run included a major decision and two pins, clinching the top spot with a 3:32 fall in the final match. Silva also qualified for the 2015 IHSA Championships, going 1-2 with a major decision.
Silva intends to wrestle at 149 lbs. for Indiana; Konrath will begin his varsity career at 133 lbs.
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