U of M, Brent Metcalf, Grand Valley headline Natl Duals
1/13 - The only dual that coach Joe McFarland and the Michigan Wolverines lost this weekend at the NWCA National Duals was the the University of Iowa, and they were not alone. The Hawkeyes dominated the tournament as Michigan was the only team to put up double digit points on them.
Michigan advanced to the semifinals with wins over Northern Iowa (30-6) and Hofstra (19-15) to set up their dual with Iowa. The only Wolverines to win against Iowa was freshman phenom Kellen Russell at 141lbs, all-american Tyrel Todd at 184, and former Chippewa Valley state champ Anthony Biondo at 197.
In a matchup of Michigan wrestling household names, Iowa's Brent Metcalf knocked off UM senior Josh Churella at 149lbs by a score of 4-2. Metcalf, a sophomore at Iowa, was a 4x undefeated D1 state champ at Davison while Churella was a 2x D1 state champ while at Novi High School. Metcalf, who won the prestigous Midlands title a few weeks ago, went 4-0 on the day and was named tournament Outstanding Wrestler.
Michigan won their final match over Minnesota 23-16, Minnesota upset Central Michigan to advance to the championship semifinals. While the Gophers edged CMU 20-16, CMU scored a couple big individual wins including Brandon Sinnott who knocked off Minnesota's Roger Kish at 184lbs. Kish was a former 4x D2 state champ for Lapeer West High School and is a 2x all-american for Minnesota. Central, who entered the tournament seeded 4th, lost again in the consolation bracket to Iowa State.
Nebraska, who entered the tournament unseeded, upset Minnesota and #1 Penn State to advance to the finals. The final dual with Nebraska and Iowa pitted two former Davison state champs across from each other as Nebraska's 125lb Paul Donahoe and Iowa's Metcalf were reunited on opposite sides of the fence. While Metcalf won against Nebraska, defeating Jordan Burroghs 6-2, Donahoe was less fortunate as he fell 3-2 to Iowa's Charlie Falck.
Grand Valley State lived up to their #1 seed by winning the NCWA division for the 2nd year in a row. After putting up 40+ points on their first two opponents GVSU outlasted #3 seed Newman in the finals 31-21.
DIII Olivet opened the tournament with an upset over 8th seed Buena Vista, however, the Comets' fortunes turned quickly as they were blanked by top seed Wartbug 47-0. Olivet was eliminated from the consolation bracket by Johnson and Wales.
Championship Semifinals
Iowa 23, Michigan 13
125 Charlie Falck (IA) WBD Michael Watts (MIC) M 13-5
133 Joe Slaton (IA) WBD Chris Diehl (MIC) M 16-5
141 Kellen Russell (MIC) WBF Dan LeClere (IA) F 4:48
149 Brent Metcalf (IA) WBD Josh Churella (MIC) D 4-2
157 Ryan Morningstar (IA) WBD Jeff Marsh (MIC) D 3-2
165 Mark Perry (IA) WBD Eric Tannenbaum (MIC) D 4-1
174 Jay Borschel (IA) WBD Steve Luke (MIC) D 3-2
184 Tyrel Todd (MIC) WBD Phil Keddy (IA) D 3-2
197 Anthony Biondo (MIC) WBD Chad Beatty (IA) M 8-0
285 Matt Fields (IA) WBD Chad Bleske (MIC) D 13-6
Championship Quarterfinals
Minnesota 20 vs. Central Michigan 16
125 Jayson Ness (MIN) WBD Luke Smith (CMU) D 8-2
133 Mack Reiter (MIN) WBD Conor Beebee (CMU) M 10-1
141 Manuel Rivera (MIN) WBD Eric Kruger (CMU) D 7-5
149 Nathaniel Holt (CMU) WBF Jake Mellmer (MIN) F 2:02
157 CP Schlatter (MIN) WBD Tyler Grayson (CMU) D 8-2
165 Tyler Safratowich (MIN) WBD Steve Brown (CMU) M 13-5
174 Gabe Dretsch (MIN) WBD Brandon Sinnott (CMU) D 6-3
184 Christian Sinnott (CMU) WBD Roger Kish (MIN) D 3-2
197 Wynn Michalak (CMU) WBD Justin Bronson (MIN) M 17-4
285 Bubba Gritter (CMU) WBD Yura Malamura (MIN) D 8-3
Michigan 19, Hofstra 15
125 Dave Tomasette (HOF) WBD Michael Watts (MIC) D 12-5
133 Lou Ruggirello (HOF) WBD Chris Diehl (MIC) M 8-0
141 Charles Griffin (HOF) WBD Kellen Russell (MIC) D 7-5
149 Josh Churella (MIC) WBD Mitch Smith (HOF) M 10-1
157 Jeff Marsh (MIC) WBD Jonny Bonilla-Bowman (HOF) D 8-5
165 Eric Tannenbaum (MIC) WBD Anthony Tortora (HOF) M 12-4
174 Steve Luke (MIC) WBD Alton Lucas (HOF) D 3-2
184 Tyrel Todd (MIC) WBD Justin Danz (HOF) TF-5 21-6; 7;00
197 Joe Rovelli (HOF) WBD Anthony Biondo (MIC) D 2-0
285 Tom Daddino (HOF) WBD Chad Bleske (MIC) D 6-4
Championship 1st Round
Central Michigan 19, Ohio State 16
125 Luke Smith (CMU) WBD Nikko Triggas (OSU) M 10-2
133 Reece Humphrey (OSU) WBD Conor Beebee (CMU) M 13-2
141 Eric Kruger (CMU) WBD Jeff Jaggers (OSU) D 3-1
149 Lance Palmer (OSU) WBD Nathaniel Holt (CMU) D 7-1
157 Tyler Grayson (CMU) WBD Jason Johnstone (OSU) D 6-3
165 Alex Picazo (OSU) WBD Brandon Carter (CMU) D 11-5
174 Brandon Sinnott (CMU) WBD Colt Sponseller (OSU) D 7-2
184 Mike Pucillo (OSU) WBD Christian Sinnott (CMU) D 5-2
197 Wynn Michalak (CMU) WBF John Weakley (OSU) F 1:49
285 JD Bergman (OSU) WBD Bubba Gritter (CMU) D 3-2
Copyright 2007 Michigan Grappler LLC
