2010-11 College Preview - Michigan
Coach: Joe McFarland (12th season)
Preseason rank: 19th
Individuals ranked: 2: Kellen Russell (#4 at 141), Anthony Biondo (#15 at
197)
Last year: 43rd NCAA, 10th in Big 10,
Top Returners: Justin Zeerip (NCAA Qualifier), Anthony Biondo (NCAA
Qualifier), Aaron Hynes (2009 NCAA Qualifier), Ben Apland (6th in Big 10)
Impact Newcomers: Kellen Russell (Redshirt Junior), Eric Grajales (Redshirt
Freshman-133)
Outlook: This year's Wolverine squad appears to be rejuvenated after a down
year in 2010 that saw them finish 10th in the Big 10 and 43rd in the NCAA
Tournament. This year, with the return of 2009 All-american Kellen Russell,
who returns from a Redshirt Year, Michigan should be back towards the middle
of the Big Ten and among the Top 20 teams in the country.
In addition to Russell, NCAA Qualifiers Justin Zeerip, Anthony Biondo, Aaron
Hynes, and Zac Stevens give McFarland a deep crop of proven veterans to lean
on. Sophomores Hunter Collins (184), Sean Boyle (125), and Ben Apland (285)
should be improved this year with a year of starting experience under their belts
and the addition of freshman Eric Grajales could be big for Michigan this year
if they can find a weight for the blue chip recruit to fit into their lineup.
Grajales, who projected at 133 to start the year, has not made that weight yet and 141 is securely occupied by the #4 wrestler in the country, Russell. Grajales has been up at 149 this year already, so time will tell what McFarland opts to do with the ultra-talented Florida native.
Regardless of where Grajales ends up and regardless of just how good this Michigan team ends up this year, there is no doubt that they are nothing like last year's Wolverine squad and there is no doubt that things are looking up for this team in the future with a brand new state-of-the-art facility and a steady flow of talented recruits.
Weight by weight breakdown:
125
True Sophomore Sean Boyle has already erased many doubts from a year ago as he won the EMU Open and scored a huge win in UM's Dual Meet opener over nationally ranked Anthony Zanetta of Pitt. After a rocky freshman campaign last year, Boyle appears to have added much needed size to his frame and looks like the same kid who was huge recruit coming out of Blair Academy, NJ two years ago. If he can continue to compete at the level he has so far this year, look out as he will surely be an NCAA Qualifier and major contributor for the Wolverines.
133
There are two possiblities here for Michigan and essentially a win-win for
them regardless of which scenario plays out. Currently, Zac Stevens is
the man here coming off a strong sophomore season last year in which
he went 23-18 and qualified for the NCAA Championships. This year,
Stevens has started strong with a big win over then #20 ranked Frank
Cagnina of Lehigh. It is unknown what the Wolverines will do at this
weight as their big time recruit from two years ago, Eric Grajales comes
off a redshirt year and was originally projected to compete at this weight.
Grajales, who is as athletic and talented of a wrestler you will find in the
country, has yet to make 133 so as of now, Stevens looks like the man
here for Michigan.
141
Wolverine fans should be happy to see Junior Kellen Russell back on
the mat after taking a redshirt last year. Russell not only gives the Wolverines a NCAA Title contender at 141lbs, but also a proven upperclassment to lead the way for what was a young, inexpierenced team last year. He was a Big Ten Champ two years ago as well as an All-American.
149
This is the biggest question mark in the UM lineup as the arrival of highly anticipated freshman Eric Grajales was expected to be at 133, however, Grajales has not been down to 133 yet and after starting the first two meets against Pitt and Lehigh at 149, things look like Grajales may be the Wolverine 149lber. Mark Weber, who was 7th in the Big Ten last year at 141, is another viable option for Michigan at this weight and will likely compete with Grajales at this weight. Grajales looked solid in his last outing, losing 4-2 to another big time freshman, Joey Napoli of Lehigh. True freshman Jake Salazar, who was a big-time pickup for the Wolverines, is another option at this weight, but will likely redshirt.
157
Fifth year senior Aaron Hynes is back for his final go-round in Ann Arbor and the 2009 NCAA Qualifier brings a wealth of experience and success to the table for the Wolverines. Hynes has been a main stay in the lineup for the past couple years and should be primed for another National Tournament run this year. Redshirt junior David Johnson started most of the year at this weight last year and should be another option for McFarland at this weight. Freshman Brandon Zeerip comes off a redshirt year and gives Michigan tremendous depth here.
165
Redshirt Freshman Dan Yates makes his Wolverine debut this year and enters the season as their main man at 165lbs. Yates, a former 3x state champion and Senior National Champion, had a solid redshirt year last year and has proven his ability to compete with the top wrestlers in the country. He lost 5-4 to #9 ranked Brandon Hatchett of Lehigh last weekend and don't be surprised if Yates is in the mix with the top dogs in the Big Ten by the end of the year.
174
2x NCAA Qualifier Justin Zeerip returns for Michigan at this weight and gives them proven ability and a ton of experience. After placing 4th in the Big Ten last year and qualifying for his 2nd National Tournament, this could be Zeerip's time to step up, make a run in March, and score some tournament points for the Wolverines.
184
Former Senior National Runner-Up Hunter Collins returns for Michigan and will look to improve on his 7th place finish from the Big Ten Tournament last year. Collins was a multiple time prep state champ in California and as he continues to get acclimated to competing against the best wrestlers in the country, look for him to emerge as a top 184lber in the country.
197
Redshirt Senior Anthony Biondo enters his final year of college wrestling after
breaking out last year and solidifying himself as one of the best 197lbers in the
country. He finished 3rd at the Big Ten Championships last year and fell just one
match short of earning All-American honors. This year, he is a legitimate All-American
contender and Michigan will need him to repeat his impressive regular season
performance season from last year where he won 35 matches including a 15-2 dual
meet record. Former Blair Academy standout Max Huntley will more than likely be
redshirting this year and should be ready to step in next year.
285
Illinois native Ben Apland returns as the starter for Michigan at heavyweight after
getting some valuable experience for the Wolverines as a freshman last year. He was
up and down throughout the year last year, but finished strong witha 6th place finish
at the Big Ten Tournament and with three years of eligibility left, Apland should
continue to evolve and grow as a solid big man for Michigan.
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