No. 11 Spartan Wrestling Edges No. 19 Hofstra, 21-16

Nov. 24, 2002

HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. - The No. 11 Michigan State wrestling team won its first dual meet of the season in hostile territory, defeating No. 19 Hofstra, 21-16, before a crowd of 1,247 at Hofstra Arena Sunday afternoon (Nov. 24). The Spartans and the Pride split the 10 bouts, but two key pins by No. 5 Gray Maynard (Sr., Las Vegas, Nev.) and No. 16 John Wechter (Sr., Saginaw) proved to be the difference.

The Spartans got off to an early 6-0 lead by winning the first two matches at 133 and 141 pounds. No. 13 Ryan L'Amoreaux (Jr., Clarkson) disposed of Ricky LaForge, 6-1, at 133, while Darren McKnight (Fr., Hixson, Tenn.) held off Matt Homenick, 5-3, in his first collegiate match at 141 pounds.

The Pride got on the board after Jon Masa upset No. 9 Karl Nadolsky (Sr., Holland), 9-8, in the 149-pound match. Masa scored a reversal with three seconds remaining in the third period for the win.

With the score at 6-3, No. 5 Gray Maynard scored a big pin at the 5:58 mark in the 157-pound bout to extend MSU's lead to 12-3. Maynard's pin was the 23rd of his career, which is tied for seventh all-time at Michigan State.

After No. 5 Noel Thompson defeated Arsen Aleksanyan (Sr., Santa Ana, Calif.) 12-4 for a major decision victory at 165 pounds, No. 14 Rashad Evans (Sr., Niagara Falls, N.Y.) put the Spartans back on track with a clutch 6-5 double-overtime victory over 20th-ranked Ralph Everett in the 174-pound match.

The Spartans would lose the next two matches as the Pride closed the count to 15-13. No. 20 Brad Christie beat Jeff Clemens (R-Fr., Bellbrook, Ohio), 6-5, in Clemens' first collegiate dual match at 184 pounds. At 197 pounds, ninth-ranked Chris Skretkowicz triumphed over No. 11 Nik Fekete (Sr., Cranford, N.J.), 4-2.

Just when Hoftstra appeared to be closing in with only two bouts remaining, heavyweight and 16th-ranked John Wechter stepped up with a huge pin just 2:06 into his match to clinch the victory for the Spartans. Wechter - in his first dual match as a heavyweight - improved his season record to 9-3 with the win.

Pat Flynn ended the dual with a 6-4 upset victory over No. 12 Nick Simmons (R-Fr., Williamston) at 125 pounds.

No. 11 Michigan State returns to action for its first home dual of the season Dec. 3 vs. Central Michigan. The dual begins at 7 p.m. at Jenison Field House.

MATCH SUMMARY:Wt. Winner                      Loser           Score       Team Score133 No. 13 Ryan L'Amoreaux (MSU)    Ricky LaForge (HOF) 6-1     MSU, 3-0141 Darren McKnight (MSU)      Matt Homenick (HOF) 5-3     MSU, 6-0149 Jon Masa (HOF)              No. 9 K. Nadolsky   9-8     MSU, 6-3157 No. 5 Gray Maynard (MSU)  Mike Patrovich (HOF)    Pin, 5:58       MSU, 12-3165 No. 5 Noel Thompson (HOF)   Arsen Aleksanyan (MSU)    12-4        MSU, 12-7174 No. 14 Rashad Evans (MSU) No. 20 Everett (HOF)    6-5 (2OT)   MSU, 15-7184 No. 20 Brad Christie (HOF)  Jeff Clemens (MSU)    6-5     MSU, 15-10197 No. 9 Chris Sketkowicz (HOF)    No. 11 Nik Fekete (MSU) 4-2     MSU, 15-13285 No. 16 John Wechter (MSU) Jason Sketkowicz (HOF)  Pin, 2:06   MSU, 21-13125 Pat Flynn (HOF)             No. 12 Simmons (MSU)    6-4     MSU, 21-16NOTE: All rankings according to InterMat Wrestling.