Spartan Wrestlers Drop Big Ten Opener
6/21/1999 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
December 11, 1998
EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State wrestling team dropped its first dual meet of the season to Michigan, 21-9, on Friday night in Ann Arbor. With the loss, the No. 13 Spartans fall to 0-1 on the season while Michigan improves to 1-0.
The night got off to a good start for Michigan State with sophomore Pat McNamara (Jordan, Minn.), ranked second in the nation at 133 pounds, defeating Joe Warren, currently ranked ninth, by a score of 8-6. McNamara scored a takedown in the last period to claim the narrow victory.
The Wolverines took the next two matches, but when sophomore Cory Posey (Westfield, N.J.) scored a 6-1 victory over Charles Martelli at 157, the dual stood tied at six. Michigan, however, would go on to earn victories in the next three matches to take a commanding 15-6 lead. Although junior Nick Muzashvili (Unadilla, N.Y.), currently ranked eighth, defeated Frank Lodersto, 9-3, at 197, it was not enough as the Wolverines captured the final two matches of the evening to win by a final score of 21-9.
For Michigan State coach Tom Minkel, it was not the start of the season that he had hoped for.
"Michigan outwrestled us tonight," said Minkel. "We've got to be more fundamental in our wrestling. We weren't disciplined. Michigan is a good team and they made us pay. It's the start of a long season and now we have some things to work on."
The Spartans will return to action Dec. 29-30 at the Midlands Championships in Evanston, Ill. Their next dual meet is Jan. 7 at Oklahoma State.
Michigan 21 - Michigan State 9 133 - Pat McNamara (MSU) dec. Joe Warren (UM), 8-6 141 - Damion Logan (UM) dec. Issac Miller (MSU), 5-3 149 - Corey Grant (UM) dec. Mike Castillo (MSU), 7-3 157 - Cory Posey (MSU) dec. Charles Martelli (UM), 6-1 165 - Jason Rawls (UM) dec. Kevin Spiess (MSU), 12-5 174 - Otto Olson (UM) dec. Will Hill (MSU), 9-3 184 - Andy Hrovat (UM) dec. Nik Fekete (MSU), 14-8 197 - Nick Muzashvili (MSU) dec. Frank Lodersto (UM), 9-3 285 - Matt Brink (UM) dec. Matt Lamb (MSU), 7-4 125 - Chris Viola (UM) dec. Chris Williams (MSU), 7-2
