The dual meet got off to a quick start as the two squads traded first-period falls at the opening two weights. The Spartans' fourth-ranked Nick Simmons built up an five-point advantage before turning freshman Michael Watts (Riverton, Utah/Riverton HS) to put six points on the board for MSU. Moos neutralized the score less than a minute later, using a half nelson to pin Jeff Wimberley just 45 seconds into the 133-pound bout and earn himself his second fall of the weekend in a combined 1:17 of time.
The marquee match of the afternoon came at 141 pounds, where fifth-ranked junior/sophomore Josh Churella (Northville, Mich./Novi HS) rallied from an initial deficit to defeat fourth-ranked Andy Simmons 4-2. The Spartan opened the scoring early in the second period, using a double armbar to turn Churella for two points. Churella immediately scrambled to his feet and only moments later took control of the match with a single-leg takedown. The Wolverine put a leg in and rode Simmons for the remainder of the period, a trend he continued throughout the entire third frame, accumulating 2:55 in riding time advantage for his seventh straight win.
The U-M middle weights continued to extend the Wolverines' advantage as junior/sophomore Eric Tannenbaum (Naperville, Ill./North HS) and sophomore/freshman Steve Luke (Massillon, Ohio/Perry HS) earned back-to-back decisions at 149 and 157 pounds, respectively, to give Michigan a nine-point lead at halftime. Tannenbaum connected on his patented single-leg takedown three times in the match, including twice in the opening period, en route to a 9-3 win over 15th-ranked Darren McKnight. McKnight scored a reversal early in the third period to keep the score close, but the Wolverine responded late with a takedown in the last 30 seconds and 1:57 in riding time.
Luke quickly took control against Tony Greathouse in the following match, scoring on a fireman's carry just eight seconds in and immediately sucking the Spartan wrestler back to the mat for three back points. He countered a single-leg shot by Greathouse late in the second to spin around and earn his second takedown, giving him a four-point advantage heading into the final period. Greathouse proved tough on top as Luke was ridden out for the entire final frame but held on for a 7-4 victory.
Top-ranked Ryan Churella kept the Wolverines' momentum rolling after the break with his sixth fall of the season, pinning Greg Goidosik at the 4:54 mark. Churella dominated the bout from the opening whistle, scoring a takedown midway through the first frame and using leg turk and tilt combinations to score 11 back points and lock up the necessary points for a technical fall. The Wolverine captain kept working, however, and applied the half nelson to successfully push Goidosik to his back just seconds before the second period ended.
After MSU narrowed the Michigan advantage with wins at 174 and 184 pounds, sophomore/freshman Casey White (Commerce, Mich./Walled Lake Central HS) swung the momentum back into the Wolverines' hand with a gutsy 9-5 decision over Jeff Clemens at 197. With the score locked up at 3-3 early in the third period, the two wrestlers scrambled on the mat as White tried to fight off a Clemens single-leg shot. As the Spartan was awarded the takedown, White writhed in pain on the mat, and subsequently used nearly all of his allotted injury time. When action resumed, the Wolverine forced Clemens into another scramble situation and ended up on top to again tie the score. Already holding riding-time advantage, White put a cap on the victory -- his first at Cliff Keen Arena -- by using a spadle to turn Clemens for three extra points at the buzzer.
Fifth-year senior captain Greg Wagner (Fort Wayne, Ind./Snider HS) extended his season winning streak to 18 matches with a solid 12-5 decision against Max Lossen at heavyweight. For the first time in eight matches, Wagner allowed points scored against him as he lost position in the first period to give up a reversal and two-point near fall. The Wolverine rallied back, scoring three more takedowns and a pair of escapes to put a cap on the Wolverines' win.
The Wolverines will hit the road next weekend for Big Ten duals against Illinois and Purdue. On Friday (Feb. 3), U-M will travel to Champaign, Ill., for a 7 p.m. CST contest against the Illini before heading to West Lafayette, Ind., on Sunday (Feb. 5) to face the Boilermakers at 1 p.m.
#4 Michigan 27, #18 Michigan State 12
125 -- #4 Nick Simmons (MSU) pinned Michael Watts, 1:34 MSU, 6-0
133 -- #12 Mark Moos (U-M) pinned Jeff Wimberley, 0:45 Tie, 6-6
141 -- #5 Josh Churella (U-M) dec. #4 Andy Simmons, 4-2 U-M, 9-6
149 -- #6 Eric Tannenbaum (U-M) dec. #15 Darren McKnight, 9-3 U-M, 12-6
157 -- #11 Steve Luke (U-M) dec. Tony Greathouse, 7-4 U-M, 15-6
165 -- #1 Ryan Churella (U-M) pinned Greg Goidosik, 4:54 U-M, 21-6
174 -- #7 R.J. Boudro (MSU) dec. #6 Nick Roy, 4-2 U-M, 21-9
184 -- Joe Williams (MSU) dec. Omar Maktabi, 10-3 U-M, 21-12
197 -- Casey White (U-M) dec. Jeff Clemens, 9-5 U-M, 24-12
Hwt -- #3 Greg Wagner (U-M) dec. Max Lossen, 12-5 U-M 27-12
Weekend News:
Fleeger beats Clum, but Wisconsin defeats Purdue
Oklahoma State rolls past Iowa State, 26-14
Nebraska-Omaha defeats Augsburg, 24-10, in battle of defending national champions
Askren pins Klein, but Missouri falls to Nebraska
Gallick beats Ware … again
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