Michigan State upends 17th ranked Wisconsin
Hinton's overtime fall propels Spartans over Badgers
1/30 - Coming off an 0-2 opening Big Ten weekend, the Michigan State Spartans needed
to make a statement heading into the heart of the conference schedule. They did just that
tonight against #17 Wisconsin behind the efforts of some talented underclassmen.
With the dual score tied 3-3, MSU redshirt freshman Ian Hinton gave the Spartans a boost
and they never looked back. Hinton was trailing 3-1 late in the third period against Badger
freshman Travis Rutt when he got in deep on a shot that led to a long scramble.
The scramble ended with Rutt on his back for the final 10 seconds of the match and no
signal from the official. After a conference the official came back and awarded the
takedown to send the match to overtime.
"I felt the momentum shifting," said Hinton, "Right when overtime started I felt him getting
tired. His tie up felt looser and I just tried to keep shooting."
Once in overtime Hinton continued his attack with another deep shot that ended in a
similiar scramble, only this time the result was a pin that ignited the Jenison Fieldhouse
crowd and gave the Spartans a 9-3 lead.
"Ian has run into a string of defensive wrestlers," said MSU coach Tom Minkel, "He has done everything we have asked of him and for the match to end up how it did it validates his offense."
Spartan senior Nick Palmeiri kept the ball rolling with a decisive win at 184lbs before Wisconsin answered back with their nationally ranked big men at 197 and 285. #3 ranked Dallas Herbst scored a first period fall at 197 and 9th ranked Kyle Massey won 5-2 at heavyweight.
Michigan State won three of the final four bouts as 125lber Eric Olanowski beat Drew
Hammen 7-0 and 6th ranked Franklin Gomez scored a major decision at 133lbs. After
Wisconin's top ranked Zach Tannelli disposed of MSU's Collin Dozier with a technical fall,
the score was 19-17 heading into the final bout at 149lbs. Wisconin's 5th ranked Kyle
Ruschell did not compete, so their fate lied in the hands of sophomore Greg Burke.
MSU redshirt freshman David Cheza proved too much for Burke as he dominated the first
period scoring a takedown and nearly pinning the Badger as the period came to a close.
With the match getting out of reach Burke attempted a cement mixer and Cheza caught him
on his back to secure the fall and a huge win for his Spartan squad.
The victory moved the Spartans to 6-4 in the Big Ten and 1-2 overall. After a rough start to
the conference season, MSU got a much needed boost.
"I really thought we would rebound this week," said Minkel, "After the
Northwestern/Minnesota trip we made a pledge this week as a team that no matter what
the outcome we were going to fight, and we did that."
Minkel's squad will have to continue that attitude as they have a tough two week homestand ahead where they will wrestle four straight ranked teams, starting out with #1 ranked Iowa one week from today.
While Gomez is the standout individual on this team, it was their underclassmen that propelled them to victory tonight. Minkel's 2007 recruiting class accounted for four out of their six victories.
"David Cheza finished it off and Anthony Jones got us started," said Minkel, who also noted the impressive performance of freshman Eric Olanowski. "Our freshmen stepped up tonight."
Hinton, Cheza, Jones, and Olanowski, along with Tyler Dickensen and Collin Dozier, who also competed tonight for the green and white, were all part of that 2007 class.
"We have a marvelous group of young men and things are really looking good not only for this year, but for the future as well," said Minkel.
Michigan State 25, #17 Wisconsin 17
(Attendance: 445)
157: Anthony Jones Jr. (MSU) dec. Ben Jordan (UW), 7-3; MSU leads, 3-0
165: #10 Andrew Howe (UW) dec. Rex Kendle (MSU), 6-4; Tied, 3-3
174: Ian Hinton (MSU) pins Travis Rutt (UW), 7:47; MSU leads, 9-3
184: Nick Palmieri (MSU) dec. Eric Bugenhagen (UW), 6-2; MSU leads, 12-3
197: #3 Dallas Herbst (UW) pins Tyler Dickenson (MSU), 2:12; MSU leads, 12-9
285: #9 Kyle Massey (UW) dec. Alan O'Donnell (MSU), 5-2; Tied, 12-12
125: Eric Olanowski (MSU) dec. Drew Hammen (UW), 7-0; MSU leads, 15-12
133: #6 Franklin Gomez (MSU) maj. dec. Tom Kelliher (UW), 11-3; MSU leads, 19-12
141: #1 Zach Tanelli (UW) tech. fall Collin Dozier (MSU), 21-5; MSU leads, 19-17
149: David Cheza (MSU) pins Greg Burke (UW), 6:22; MSU wins, 25-17
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