First-time starters emerged from three different weight classes as freshman Kellen Russell (High Bridge, N.J./Blair Academy), sophomore/freshman Anthony Biondo (Clinton Twp., Mich./Chippewa Valley HS) and sophomore/freshman Matt Guhn (Clyde, Ohio/Clyde HS) swept the series 141 and 197 pounds and heavyweight. The final bouts were all decided by two points or less.
Russell will be the second true freshman to earn an immediate starting role in as many years for the Wolverines after defeating junior/sophomore Justin Chrzanowski (Metamora, Mich./Lapeer West HS) by a narrow 3-1 margin. Russell started the second period down following a scoreless first and quickly scrambled for a reversal to secure the only points he would need. Chrzanowski picked up a quick escape in the third to pull within one, but Russell used his 1:14 in riding-time advantage to pad the lead at match's end.
The bouts at 197 pounds and heavyweight proved even closer affairs. Biondo trailed by a point late in his match against sophomore/freshman Eddie Phillips (Woodland, Mich./Lakewood HS) but scored a slide-by takedown with just 33 seconds remaining in the bout and held Phillips to the mat to win 4-3. Guhn did just the opposite in the subsequent contest, using a first-period takedown on the edge to defeat sophomore/freshman Chad Bleske (Washington, Mich./Romeo HS) 3-2.
Junior Michael Watts (Riverton, Utah/Riverton HS) and sophomore Chris Diehl (Burton, Mich./Flint Kearsley HS) kicked off the intrasquad competition with major-decision victories at 125 and 133 pounds, respectively. Watts scored a pair of first-period takedowns and added five back points to beat freshman Zach Jones (Brighton, Mich./Hartland HS) by an 11-1 margin. Watts will wrestle freshman Jason Lara (Midway City, Calif./Calvary Chapel HS) in the final round of wrestle-offs at 125 pounds in the coming weeks. Diehl used a front headlock to earn a quick takedown against sophomore/freshman Mike Sears (Grand Blanc, Mich./Flint Powers Catholic HS) and locked up a cradle to secure a three-point near fall late in the frame. Diehl converted on double-leg attempts to score two more takedowns and added 4:38 in riding time to win 11-0.
Fifth-year senior Jeff Marsh (Dexter, Mich./Dexter HS) used a first-period double leg to pick up a close 3-2 decision over sophomore/freshman Aaron Hynes (Mt. Morris, Mich./Flint Kearsley HS), while senior/junior Cody Waters (Adrian, Mich./Adrian HS) converted a late third-period single leg to beat sophomore/freshman Ryan Selley (Linden, Mich./Linden HS) 3-1 in an equally close bout at 184 pounds. Waters will soon face senior/junior captain Tyrel Todd (Bozeman, Mont./Bozeman HS) for the final 184-pound wrestle-off.
Senior/junior Steve Luke (Massillon, Ohio/Perry HS) reclaimed his starting spot at 174 pounds with a 15-2 major decision against junior/sophomore Jordan Sherrod (Portage, Mich./Central HS). Luke built up a sizeable advantage in the first period after using a fireman's carry to take Sherrod directly to his back and tack on three back points. He added another takedown in each of the remaining frames and two more back points to earn the decisive victory.
The intrasquad featured three exhibition contests, including two starring the Wolverines' fifth-year senior captains Josh Churella (Northville, Mich./Novi HS) and Eric Tannenbaum (Naperville, Ill./North HS), who will be competing in the NWCA All-Star Classic on Monday (Nov. 19) at 149 and 165 pounds, respectively. Churella earned a 18-1 technical fall over sophomore/freshman Mark Beaudry (Pueblo, Colo./South HS), using three takedowns and 11 back points to end the match at the five-minute mark. Tannenbaum beat freshman Dave Johnson (Jenison, Mich./Jenison HS) from his feat, scoring five takedowns before adding a late two-point near fall and 4:36 in riding time to claim a 14-3 major decision.
Freshman Justin Zeerip (Fremont, Mich./Hesperia HS) earned a 10-0 major decision over senior/junior Dario Mainella (Livonia, Mich./Stevenson HS) in the third exhibition match. Zeerip took an early lead on a quick single leg and used a leg turk to score three back points and a five-point advantage after the first period. The U-M rookie countered a late second-period shot to add another takedown and rode out Mainella in the third to accumulate 3:41 in riding time.
The Wolverines will officially kick off the 2007-08 season next Saturday (Nov. 24) at the Journeymen/Brute Northeast Duals in Troy, N.Y. Michigan square off against Bucknell, Maryland, Bloomsburg and Virginia at the dual-meet event.
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