The 157-pound weight class provided the evening's closest battle as junior/sophomore Jeff Marsh (Dexter, Mich./Dexter HS) and fifth-year senior Rob Sulaver (Dearborn, Mich./Dearborn HS) required a third match to decide the series victor. Marsh held the advantage entering the intrasquad meet after defeating Sulaver 5-4 at the Eastern Michigan Open last Saturday (Nov. 4), but Sulaver used a third-period takedown to claim a 4-3 decision in the second meeting and knot the series at one match apiece.
The Wolverine pair retook the mat at the conclusion of the 10-match card, 45 minutes after their first match of the evening, and Marsh wasted little time before building a substantial lead, using a bear hug midway through the opening frame to take his opponent to his back for a five-point move. Sulaver fought off the pin and rallied with a takedown in each of the remaining periods, but could not overcome the early deficit as Marsh held on for a 8-5 decision.
Two weight classes featured a pair of returning starters vying for a similar role this season. At 125 pounds, fifth-year senior Mark Moos (Lorian, Ohio/St. Edward HS), who wrestled one weight class higher in 2005-06, used four takedowns, including two in the first period, to post a 8-6 decision over last year's 125-pound starter, sophomore Michael Watts (Riverton, Utah/Riverton HS). Watts rallied late in the match, scoring a takedown with 20 seconds remaining, but Moos held on for the win.
Junior/sophomore Tyrel Todd (Bozeman, Mont./Bozeman HS) retained his starting spot at 184 pounds, defeating fifth-year senior Nick Roy (Wall, N.J./Wall HS), a three-year starter at 174 pounds, by a 4-0 margin. After a close and scoreless first period, Todd converted on a single leg to score the only points he would need in the closing seconds of the middle frame.
By the end of the evening, four new faces had secured starting roles, including a pair of U-M rookies in freshmen Chris Diehl (Burton, Mich./Flint Kearsley HS) and Matt Guhn (Clyde, Ohio/Clyde HS), who each swept his respective series at 133 pounds and heavyweight. Diehl used several combinations of headlocks, counters and go-behinds to convert on six takedowns against fellow freshman Mike Sears (Grand Blanc, Mich./Flint Powers Catholic). Three of those takedowns came in the final frame as Diehl racked up the points -- and 3:23 in riding time -- for a 14-4 major decision.
Guhn brought a quick end to his contest against senior/junior Omar Maktabi (Iowa City, Iowa/West HS), using an outside trip to take Maktabi straight to his back and earn the fall at 0:59. Senior/junior Brad Cusumano (Utica, Mich./Utica HS) rounded out the newcomers to the starting lineup with a 10-6 decision over freshman Mark Beaudry (Pueblo, Colo./South HS). Cusamano picked up four takedowns, including three in the first period, and a pair of back points to claim the starting job.
Senior/junior co-captains Josh Churella (Northville, Mich./Novi HS) and Eric Tannenbaum (Naperville, Ill./North HS) and junior/sophomore Steve Luke (Massillon, Ohio/Perry HS), all of whom bumped up one or two weight classes over the summer, cruised to victory in their respective wrestleoffs to claim starting roles at their new spots. In an exhibition contest at 149 pounds, Churella earned a 12-2 major decision over sophomore/freshman 157-pounder Braden L'Amoreaux (Clarkston, Mich./Clarkston HS) on the strength of five takedowns and 3:24 in riding time.
Tannenbaum and Luke won handily at 165 and 174 pounds, respectively, to resume starting roles two weight classes heavier. Tannenbaum scored five takedowns against sophomore/freshman Mike Milano (Rocky River, Ohio/Rocky River HS) and added 3:24 in riding time to earn a 12-2 major decision victory. Luke registered a pair of first-period takedowns and added another in the second en route to a 7-2 decision over freshman Scott Giffin (Berlin, N.J./Eastern Regional HS).
Rounding out the evening's matches at 197 pounds, junior/sophomore Casey White (Commerce, Mich./Walled Lake Central HS) tallied a 9-3 decision against freshman Eddie Phillips (Woodland, Mich./Lakewood HS) behind four takedowns, two of which came in the first period, and 5:11 in riding time.
The Wolverines will send a contingent of unattached competitors north to East Lansing, Mich., for the Michigan State Open on Sunday (Nov. 12). The tournament, Michigan's final pre-season tune-up, is slated to begin at 10 a.m. at Jenison Field House.
Recommended Comments
There are no comments to display.
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now