Michigan State University
Oklahoma State
Spartans Fall To No. 2 Oklahoma State, 22-8
11/16/2006 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Nov. 16, 2006
STILLWATER, Okla. - The 17th-ranked Michigan State wrestling team fell to No. 2 Oklahoma State, 22-8, Thursday night at Gallagher-Iba Arena before 2,647 in the first dual of the season for the Spartans.
MSU claimed the first two matches to build a 6-0 lead, as No. 5 Franklin Gomez defeated Tyler Shinn at 125 pounds, 4-1, and No. 1 Nick Simmons beat No. 3 Coleman Scott at 133 pounds, 4-0, but the four-time defending national champion Cowboys won seven of the next eight matches for the victory.
With their victories, Gomez (11-0) and Simmons (10-0) remain perfect on the season. Simmons, wrestling in his first career dual at 133 pounds after earning All-America honors three times at 125, has now defeated former No. 1-ranked Matt Valenti (Penn) and No. 3 Coleman Scott in less than a week. Simmons upset Valenti, 2-0, in the 133-pound finals at the Michigan State Open last Sunday to earn Big Ten Wrestler of the Week honors.
Oklahoma State picked up its first points of the dual with an upset in the 141-pound match. Sixth-ranked Nathan Morgan topped second-ranked Andy Simmons, 5-1. In addition, Michigan State was deducted one team point after unsportsmanlike conduct was ruled against Simmons.
The Cowboys used the momentum of the upset and won the next four matches. Ryan Freeman defeated Eddie Skowneski at 149 pounds, 10-4. At 157, Tony Greathouse could not match his heroics from a year ago, and fell to Newly McSpadden in a close match, 3-2.
Defending NCAA champion and top-ranked Johny Hendricks recorded a major-decision victory, 16-3, over redshirt freshman Rocky Cozart, who was wrestling in his first collegiate dual meet.
Fifth-ranked Brandon Mason edged John Murphy at 174 pounds, 3-1, giving OSU a 16-5 advantage.
Junior Joe Williams (Orange, Calif.) snapped the Cowboys' five-match winning streak with a 10-9 victory over Jack Jenson at 184. It marks the second straight year Williams has defeated Jensen.
In the final two matches, Jared Shelton beat Nick Palmieri at 197, 4-0, and Jared Rosholt defeated Alan O'Donnell at heavyweight, 4-1.
Michigan State returns to dual action Friday, Dec. 1 at No. 13 Edinboro.
No. 2 Oklahoma State 22, No. 17 Michigan State 8
Gallagher-Iba Arena * Attendance: 2,647
125- #5 Franklin Gomez (MSU) Dec. Tyler Shinn (OSU); 4-1
133- #1 Nick Simmons (MSU) Dec. #3 Coleman Scott (OSU); 4-0
141- #6 Nathan Morgan (OSU) Dec. #2 Andy Simmons (MSU); 5-1
*one team point deducted from Michigan State
149- Ryan Freeman (OSU) Dec. Eddie Skowneski (MSU); 10-4
157- Newly McSpadden (OSU) Dec. Tony Greathouse (MSU); 3-2
165- #1 Johny Hendricks (OSU) Maj. Dec. Rocky Cozart (MSU); 16-3
174- #5 Brandon Mason (OSU) Dec. John Murphy (MSU); 3-1
184- #17 Joe Williams (MSU) Dec. Jack Jensen (OSU); 10-9
197- Jared Shelton (OSU) Dec. Nick Palmieri (MSU); 4-0
285- Jared Rosholt (OSU) Dec. Alan O'Donnell (MSU); 4-1
Players Mentioned
