"Having two champions and 19 guys still alive on the second day of the tournament says a lot about where we are as a team, especially with the level of competition we faced this weekend," Michigan State head coach Tom Minkel said. "I am proud of our guys and think we are really moving in the right direction."
In a rematch of last week's 125-pound final at the EMU Open, junior Nick Simmons defeated freshman Franklin Gomez, this time 4-0. Simmons tallied a takedown in each of the first two periods and improves his season record to 10-0. Gomez, who has wrestled outstanding in his first two tournaments as a Spartan, compiled an 8-2 record with his only losses coming to Simmons.
For the tournament, Nick Simmons tallied a fall and outscored his other four opponents 40-2. Gomez dominated his four victories, tallying two major decisions and outscoring his opponents 41-11.
In a thrilling match up between top five wrestlers in the 141-pound final, Andy Simmons narrowly dropped the decision, 6-5, to Northwestern's Ryan Lang. Lang put Simmons to his back early, but held on for the win down the stretch. Simmons' record now sits at 8-1 for the season.
Darren McKnight also lost a close match in the final at 149 pounds, 6-3, to Jeff Jaggers of Ohio State. McKnight tallied a takedown in the first period, but was scored on late in the third.
Another freshman that continues to impress, Rocky Cozart, took home the championship at 165 pounds. Compiling a 4-0 record over the course of the tournament, Cozart beat top-seeded Will Durkee of Northwestern in the finals, 6-4. Cozart notched a takedown in each of the three periods, and improved his season record to 9-2.
In the 174-pound final, Northwestern All-American Jake Herbert, ranked second in the nation, defeated senior captain R.J. Boudro 9-1. Boudro was caught on his back early in the match, and could not make up the deficit.
Eight other Spartans claimed top six finishes in their respective weight classes: Eddie Skowneski took third at 149 pounds, while Tim Hammer at 141 pounds, Greg Goidosik at 174 pounds, Jeff Clemens at 197 pounds and Max Lossen at 285 all took fifth place. Nick Fallico at 149 pounds was the lone Spartan to take sixth place.
Tony Greathouse (157 pounds), Jeremy Bloom (174 pounds), John Murphy (184 pounds) and Freddie DeRamus (285 pounds) all took seventh place, while Jeff Wimberley (133 pounds) claimed eighth.
Select Spartan freshmen and sophomores return to action next Saturday, Nov. 19, at the Ashland Open in Ohio, and Michigan State will open up its dual meet season Nov. 27, against defending national champion Oklahoma State.
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