Big Ten Schools
11/19/2007
Coach: Joe McFarland (9th season)
Preseason rank: 5th
Individuals ranked: 5
Last year: 2-10-1 record, 6th in NCAA Div I, 8th in Big Ten
Top Returners: Josh Churella (NCAA Runner Up), Eric Tannenbaum (All-American),
Steve Luke (All-American), Tyrel Todd (All-American)
Impact Newcomers: Jason Lara (Freshman), Kellen Russell (Freshman), Matt Guhn
(RS Freshman), Anthony Biondo (RS Freshman)
Outlook: The Wolverines had a rough dual season last year, but peaked at the end of
the year and put together a strong NCAA tournament to finish 6th. They return 4 of Churella
their 5 all-americans from a year ago and seem to have a nice blend of proven
veterans and promising freshman this year. While coach McFarland's squad is inexpierenced in some weights, they could be a serious threat to make a title run at the NCAA tournament behind their 4 national title contenders. Churella, Tannenbaum, Luke, and Todd all have legit shots at winning it all and scoring big points at the NCAAs, which makes them very dangerous as a team. If a couple others can step up and score some points as well, this could be McFarland's year to win a national title.
Weight by weight breakdown:
125
As of right now the man for U of M at 125 is junior Michael Watts. Watts, a former NCAA qualifier, has a great deal of expierence in the Wolverine lineup and is a quality starter, however, Coach McFarland and the UM faithful are excited about the arrival of California state champ Jason Lara. Lara, a true freshman, is currently injured so Watts
should start the season at 125, but Lara may end up in the mix soon.
133
Chris Diehl returns here after starting most of last year. Diehl, a sophomore, was a 2x MI state champ at Flint Kearsley High School. Diehl's true freshman campaign was rocky last year, however, he was a highly touted prospect coming out of Kearsley who the Wolverines need to develop and solidify this spot in their lineup.
141
Blue chip recruit Kellen Russell of powerhouse Blair Academy High School in NJ won the 141 spot over returner Justin Chrzanowski. Russell has the Wolverine coaching staff preparing him to Churellas and Tannenbaums, which speaks highly of their expectations for him. Russell won just about everything in high school, including a Senior National Championship, a Junior National Championship, and a Cadet National Championship. He may take some time to adapt to the college schedule, however, Russell should catch on quickly and make an immediate impact in the Big Ten at this weight.
149
Senior Josh Churella of Novi High School returns for one last NCAA title run after falling one match short last year. Churella has been competetive with anyone in the country since he entered the Wolverine lineup 3 years ago and he was a major reason for their top 10 finish at NCAAs last year. Churella, currently ranked 2nd in the country, will have a very competetive Big Ten weight with the likes of Minnesota's former NCAA champ Dustin Schlatter, Davison native Brent Metcalf, and two other top 10 ranked wrestlers Bubba Jenkins (Penn State) & Jake Patascil (Purdue).
157
Senior Jeff Marsh appears to finally be the man at 157. The former 2x MI state champ has been in and out of the starting lineup for the past few seasons here, but has yet to compete in the Big Ten tournament. After scoring an impressive upset over Indiana all-american Brandon Becker in the MSU Open semifinals and losing a close match to top ranked Gregor Gillespie of Edinboro in the finals, Marsh appears to be primed for a strong solid season. He currently sits #16 in the 157lb rankings.
165
Senior Eric Tannenbaum is shooting for his 4th all-american honor this year after placing 4th, 4th, and 6th at the NCAA championships the last 3 years. Tannenbaum, currently ranked 2nd behind returning champ Mark Perry of Iowa, will be looking for more than just an all-american finish as he is a strong contender to win it all at 165. Tannenbaum, along with Churella, will be wrestling this weekend in the NWCA All-Star classic.
174
Junior Steve Luke returns here after earning all-american honors last year in his first year at 174. Luke, who began his career at 157lbs, enters the season ranked 4th and is yet another Wolverine with a
legitamate shot at winning an NCAA championship.
184
Yet another returning all american here in 3rd ranked Tyrel Todd. Todd, a junior, has
been one of the best 184lber in the country since he arrived in Ann Arbor and is one of the
top contenders this year.
197
Redshirt freshman Anthony Biondo of Chippewa Valley has won the 197lb spot this year
after the graduation of All-American Nick Roy. Most might remember Biondo as the tall,
slender kid who won three state titles, most recently at 145lbs just two years ago. All-American Tyrel Todd
However, Biondo has undergone some physical changes since then as he has filled out
his tall frame and is now the man for UM at 197lbs. Biondo had a pretty sucessfull redshirt season last year, winning two open tournament titles at 174lbs. Fellow redshirt freshman and former state champ Eddie Phillips of Lakewood could also see some time here for the Wolverines.
285
Sophomore Matt Guhn won the spot at heavyweight for Michigan. Guhn was a top recruit out of Clyde, Ohio and is a former Ohio state champ. He went 5-3 last year in open competition and while Guhn may not be one of the top heavyweights in the country yet, he will play a key role in UM's sucess in the dual meet season.
Coach: Tom Minkel (16th season)
Preseason rank: NR
Individuals ranked: 2
Last year: 3-11, record, 29th in NCAA Div I, 11th in Big Ten
Top Returners: Franklin Gomez (ranked 6th), Joe Williams (ranked 14th)
Impact Newcomers: Joel Trombley (RS freshman), John Fulger (RS freshman)
Outlook: The Spartans lost their NCAA qualifiers from a year ago with the graduation Nick
and Andy Simmons. The Simmons brothers were the face of this team over the past 5
years and they are now a young team that will need to redefine themselves. Franklin
Gomez was one of the best 125lber in the country last year and was ranked in the top 5
most of the year before having a dissapointing Big Ten tournament that kept him out of the
NCAA tournament. Senior Joe Williams has had similiar luck throughout his career and
he is primed for a run now in his last year in East Lansing. There will be alot of new faces
in the Spartan lineup this year.
Weight by weight breakdown:
125
Redshirt freshman Joel Trombley made the cut down to 125 after having some open tournament sucess at 133 last year. Trombley started their first dual against Old Dominion, however, junior Clint Frutiger has been impressive at the MSU Open and ACC/Big Ten Clash. These two are both Michigan natives, Frutiger from Ida and Trombley from Anchor Bay, and they will likely both see a good amount of time here throughout the year until someone sets themself apart.
133
Sophomore Franklin Gomez, who went 31-8 at 125 last year, is moving up to 133 this year. Gomez, who was ranked as high as 5th in the coutnry last year, suffered a dissapointing Big Ten tournament where he failed to place and qualify for the NCAA tournament. He has started the year on fire at 133 thus far as he is currently undefeated with big wins over Top 10 opponents Andrae Hernandez (Indiana) and Eric Albright (Virginia). Gomez is the Spartans best shot at placing high in the Big Ten & NCAA.
141
After bouncing around from 133-149 last year junior Jeff Wimberley is the man at 141 this year.
Wimberely started his freshman year at 133, then found himself as the odd man out last year when
Nick Simmons moved to 133. He wrestled well at 141 when Andy Simmons was injured and ended
the year as the MSU starter at 149. Wimberely is an aggressive wrestler who, besides Gomez, is
one of the Spartans best shots at scoring big points at the Big Ten and NCAA tournament.
149
Last year this weight was 149 by commitee as Wimberley, Eddie Skowneski, Tim Hammer,
and Nick Fallico all saw time at 149. It appears that this year may be more of the same as Wimberley
Skowneski started their opener against Old Dominion and Hammer started at the ACC/Big Ten
Clash. Both wrestlers have had a lot of open tournament sucess but are yet to break out in Big Ten competetion.
157
This is one of the big question marks in the Spartan lineup. Two redshirt freshman lead the race for the spot right now as Ben Boudro of Anchor Bay and state champ John Fulger of Montrose have both seen time in the early going. True freshman Anthony Jones of Highland Park is here as well, but may be redshirted.
165
Junior Rex Kendle of Edwardsburg, MI appears to the man here as Rocky Cozart is sidelined due to an injury. Kendle has been solid for the past couple years at 157 and 165 and has shown alot of promise. He is a real strong kid who is capable of keeping it close with anyone and pulling off some upsets, however, he has been inconsistent at times.
174
John Murphy is back again at 174 after starting most of last season. Murphy is a grinder who is capable of competing with some of the top guys. He had some big wins last year, including a win over Davison native Trevor Perry in their dual. Murphy should be one of the more solid spots of this Spartan lineup.
184
Sophomore Nick Palmeri is dropping down to 184 this year after a rough freshman campaign at 197 last year. The Ohio native is very strong for 184 and is one of the guys that MSU needs to grow into a solid starter this year.
197
3 year starter Joe Williams, formerly wrestling 184lbs, is swapping with Palmeiri and starting at 197 for his senior campaign. Williams has racked up a lot of huge wins over the past few years, including a 6-2 win over NCAA runner up Jake Varner of Iowa State at Midlands last year, which shows his potential. However, he has yet to break through and wrestle to his potential at the Big Ten tournament. His start at 197 has been solid as he has accumulated a few wins over top 20 opponents and currently sits 14th in the rankings.
285
Lakewood native Alan Odonnell returns after starting all of last year as a freshman. Odonnell struggled last year, but has put on some size over the off season and should only improve as he matures and adapts to being a college heavyweight. Junior Freddie DeRamus will contend for the starting spot here and saw time at the ACC/Big Ten Clash. DeRamus has been hampered by injuries throughout much of his career to this point.
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