With the dual starting at heavyweight, the Spartans took two of the opening three bouts -- earning a technical fall at 133 pounds -- to build up an early five-point advantage. Junior Michael Watts (Riverton, Utah/Riverton HS) kept the score close with a 4-1 decision at 125 pounds before the Wolverines posted six straight wins, including three with bonus.
Watts claimed the only offensive points in the 125-pound contest against MSU's Clint Frutiger. After a scoreless first period and a quick U-M escape in the second, Watts converted on the match's lone takedown -- a high crotch -- midway through the second frame to establish control and gain the only points he would need. The Wolverine wrestler subsequently rode out the third period, accumulating 2:15 in riding-time advantage, to tally his third Big Ten win of the season.
With his team trailing after the third bout, freshman Kellen Russell (High Bridge, N.J./Blair Academy) initiated the Wolverines' comeback with a 9-5 decision over Jeff Wimberley at 141 pounds. The U-M rookie, ranked sixth, responded to a warning call late in the first period with a quick single-leg shot on the mat, changing to a double to complete the takedown. Russell took advantage of an MSU slip in the second to claim an early reversal and, after getting reversed himself, added a single-leg takedown in the final 15 seconds of the period. Wimberley converted on an inside trip on the edge to narrow the gap in hte third, but Russell hung for the decision victory.
Fifth-year seniors Josh Churella (Northville, Mich./Novi HS), Jeff Marsh (Dexter, Mich./Dexter HS) and Eric Tannenbaum (Naperville, Ill./North HS) swept the middleweight matches as the trio all went out winners in their final dual appearance at Cliff Keen Arena. Returning to the lineup after a two-week hiatus, Churella, ranked fourth, dominated Eddie Skowneski in the 149-pound match, using four takedowns, a second-period reversal and five back points to post a 16-3 major decision. It was the Wolverine captain's seventh straight victory and his seventh bonus win at home this season.
Marsh shot deep on a high crotch immediately off the opening whistle at 157 pounds but could not take John Fulger down as the Spartan neutralized the position to force a stalemate. Marsh, ranked 15th, converted on his next attempt -- another high crotch -- in the waning seconds of the first period and padded his lead with a reversal early in the second. With the major decision in sight, Marsh started a game a catch-and-release, finishing on two more takedowns -- scoring off a front headlock in the second and a single leg in the third -- but fell just a one point shy of the bonus and had to settle with a 9-2 decision.
Tannenbaum, ranked third, put on a takedown clinic at 165 pounds, using a combination of single legs and double legs to convert on seven takedowns, including three in the opening period, to defeat Rex Kendle 18-6. Kendle only scored when Tannenbaum allowed him as the Wolverine captain released him five times in the second and third frames in an effort to take him to his back. Tannenbaum accumulated 4:04 in riding time and ended the dual season with a perfect 8-0 Big Ten record for the second time in as many years.
Senior/junior Steve Luke (Massillon, Ohio/Perry HS) also completed the dual slate with a perfect conference mark, earning an 11-3 major decision over John Murphy in the season finale. Luke, ranked second, gained a sizable eight-point lead after the first period, converting on a quick fireman's carry that took Murphy straight to his back for five points. The Wolverine wrestler added another two back points with a suck back moments later and finished strong with a single-leg takedown at the period's halfway point. The wrestlers traded shots and escapes in the latter two frames, but neither scored on anything offensively.
Senior/junior Tyrel Todd (Bozeman, Mont./Bozeman HS) grew stronger as his 184-pound match wore on, scoring three takedowns in the final four minutes to defeat Nick Palmieri by a 8-3 margin. After a scoreless opening period, Todd shot deep on a single leg and lifted it high before clubbing Palmieri to the mat for the takedown. The Wolverine, ranked third and in pursuit of the bonus point, scored twice in the third period, using a front headlock to the near ankle and later an underhook to a high crotch. Todd gained 1:22 of riding time but fell shy of the major decision.
The Wolverines (16-8, 3-5 Big Ten) will take the next two weeks to prepare for the Big Ten Championships, scheduled for March 8-9 in Minneapolis, Minn. Hosted by the University of Minnesota, the tournament will be held at Williams Arena.
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