Wrestling Heads to ACC-Big Ten Clash

Nov. 16, 2007

EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State wrestling heads to Chapel Hill, N.C., for the annual ACC/Big Ten Clash, hosted by the University of North Carolina. MSU will go head to head, taking on the Atlantic Coast Conference's UNC, Virginia and North Carolina State at noon, 2 p.m. and 4 p.m., respectively, on Saturday, Nov. 17.

LAST TIME OUT
Michigan State wrestling claimed six medals within the two divisions at its annual MSU Open Sunday in Jenison Field House. No. 6 Franklin Gomez captured the Open 133 title, No. 14 Joe Williams placed second in the Open 197 draw and John Murphy finished fifth in the Open 174 bracket. In the Freshman/Sophomore division, Eric Olanowski, Blake Mesyn and Ian Hinton placed second in the 125, 174 and 184-pound brackets, respectively. Tyler Dickenson finished fifth at 197 pounds.

In Friday's dual against Old Dominion, senior captain Joe Williams posted an 11-3 major decision over Old Dominion's 16th-ranked David Mendoza in his first official dual at 197 pounds. With the win, Williams sparked a rally for the Spartans, as they tallied wins at heavyweight, 133 and 157. But MSU couldn't hold off the Monarchs, as Old Dominion (1-0) captured the overall win 20-16. Michigan State dropped to 0-1 on the season.

SCOUTING THE SPARTANS
Boasting tournament titles, junior Jeff Wimberley and No. 10 sophomore Franklin Gomez lead the Spartans as each won their respective weight class in fall tournaments. Wimberley claimed the 141 title at the Eastern Michigan Open, while Gomez tallied the 133 title at the Michigan State Open. Additionally, Gomez tallied his first dual win of the season against Old Dominion on Nov. 9, taking down ODU's Kyle Hutter in an 8-3 decision.

Senior starter Joe Williams upset No. 16 David Mendoza in an 11-3 major decision in Friday's dual against the Monarchs. At the MSU Open, Williams finished second in the 197-pound Open bracket, unfortunately suffering a final round loss to Northwestern's No. 3 Mike Tamillow.

QUITE FRANKLIN
Sophomore standout Franklin Gomez has jumped out to an incredible start to the season, going undefeated in his first five bouts in just three days. The 133-pound starter ranks sixth nationally in his weight class, a standing propped up by his MSU Open title and Big Ten Wrestler of the Week accolades.

Gomez began his redshirt freshman year in similar fashion, running an 18-match winning streak in 2006-07.

UP NEXT
The Spartans travel to Mount Pleasant, Mich., to battle 10th-ranked Central Michigan at 7:30 p.m. in Rose Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 28.