Metcalf, Tannenbaum, Gomez among impressive Big Ten winners
2008 Big 10 Championships
Minneapolis, MN - March 7-8
3/9 - The University of Michigan showed today why they are much more dangerous of a tournament team than a dual-meet team. The Wolverines, who finished 7th in the Big Ten dual season with a 3-5 record, finished 3rd at the Big Ten Championships this weekend in Minneapolis, MN.
Three of the Wolverines four finalists won today to claim Big Ten Titles. Riding time was the difference as Eric Tannenbaum knocked off returning NCAA Champ Mark Perry of Iowa in the 165lb finals 3-2. UM's other champ Steve Luke won his 2nd consecutive Big Ten title at 174lbs with a 5-3 decision over Minnesota's Gabe Dretsch. True freshman Kellen Russell continued his impressive season as he scored a 3-2 win over Minnesota's Manuel Rivera to wrap up his 1st Big Ten Title. Tyrell Todd also made the finals for the Wolverines, but fell 4-3 to Ohio State's Mike Pucillo.
Michigan State University crowned one champ on the day as sophomore Franklin Gomez defeated top seed Jimmy Kennedy of Illinois 3-1 at 133lbs. Gomez won in the semis over Joe Slaton of Iowa, avenging his only loss of the season.
In the most anticipated match of the day Iowa's Brent Metcalf knocked off Dustin Schlatter of Minnesota in a rematch of the 2005 High School Senior National finals, which Schlatter won. Metcalf, who is a former 4x MI state champ for Davison High School, scored a takedown with 10 seconds to go in the third period to take the lead and secure the win over the former NCAA champ.
Metcalf also swept the Big Ten outstanding wrestler awards as he was named Big Ten Championships Outstanding Wrestler as well as Big Ten Wrestler of the Year. Michigan's Kellen Russell was honored as the Big Ten Freshman of the Year.
Michigan ended with 6 total National Qualifiers as seniors Josh Churella and Jeff Marsh placed high enough to move on as well. Churella, who is a former 3x state champ from Novi and returning National Finalist, fell in the quarterfinals, but came back to finish 3rd avenging his QF loss with an overtime win over Purdue's Jake Patascil. Former Dexter state champ Jeff Marsh finished 6th at 157lbs after advancing to the championship semfinals. Marsh, a senior, and earned his first berth to the NCAA Championships.
Other Michigan natives qualifying for the big dance were Roger Kish of Minnesota and Trevor Perry of Indiana, who both finished 6th. Kish, who was a 4x MI state champ for Lapeer West, advanced to the championship semifinals to secure an NCAA berth, then injury defaulted out to finish 6th. Former Davison standout Perry, meanwhile, fell 3-2 to John Dergo of Illinois in the 5th place match.
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