Wrestling Set to Battle No. 7 Central Michigan
11/28/2007 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Nov. 28, 2007
MICHIGAN STATE at #7 CENTRAL MICHIGAN
Date: Wednesday, Nov. 29, 2007
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Location: Mt. Pleasant, Mich.
Arena: Rose Arena
Coach Minkel's Weekly Press Conference
PDF of Complete Dual Notes and Stats
THIS WEEK FOR THE SPARTANS
Returning to action after a brief holiday break, Michigan State wrestling heads to Mt. Pleasant, Mich., to take on the No. 7 Central Michigan Chippewas at 7:30 p.m. in Rose Arena.
LAST TIME OUT
Michigan State made a strong appearance for the Big Ten Conference at Nov. 17's ACC-Big Ten Clash, hosted by the University of North Carolina at Eddie Smith Field House. MSU defeated North Carolina in round one, 21-15, and North Carolina State in round three, 23-15, sandwiching a second-round loss to Virginia, 29-10.
Sophomore Franklin Gomez bested all three of his opponents of the day, including one ranked wrestler, and improved to 8-0 on the season. The Spartans improved to 2-2 on the season in dual meets.
SCOUTING THE SPARTANS
Boasting an MSU tournament title at 133-pounds, No. 6 sophomore Franklin Gomez lead the Spartans with a perfect 8-0 record so far this fall. His flawless start to the season includes one technical fall, one major decision and two wins over a ranked opponents.
Gomez leads the Spartans ranked sixth in five national polls, while senior starter Joe Williams sits as high as 15th in the 197-pound class. Williams has earned a 9-2 overall record this year, including three wins over ranked opponents as well as three pins and three major decisions. In fall tournament action, Williams placed second at both the Eastern Michigan and Michigan State opens. Additionally, Williams' only losses of the season have come against Northwestern's third-ranked Mike Tamillow.
SCOUTING THE No. 7 CHIPPEWAS
Central Michigan University out-scored its four opponents by a combined score of 148-15 in posting a 4-0 record at the Northeast Duals on Saturday.
In succession, the ninth-ranked Chippewas defeated Appalachian State 30-6, Lehigh 39-0, American 43-3 and Maryland 36-6. With its four wins, CMU has now won 14 consecutive duals dating back to least season. The Chippewas' roster includes eight ranked wrestlers; No. 13 Luke Smith (125 pounds), No. 14 Conor Beebe (133 pounds), No. 13 Brandon Carter (149 pounds), No. 18 Trevor Stewart (165 pounds), No. 4 Brandon Sinnott (174 pounds), No. 6 Christian Sinnott (184 pounds), No. 5 Wynn Michalak (197 pounds) and No. 2 Bubba Gritter (285 pounds).
QUITE FRANKLIN
Sophomore standout Franklin Gomez has jumped out to an incredible start to the season, going undefeated (8-0) through tournament and dual action. 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.
Topping off his outstanding performance at the Spartans' home tournament, Gomez defeated Indiana's then-ranked No. 3 Andrae Hernandez 5-2 for the 133-pound title.
At Nov. 17's ACC-Big Ten Clash, Gomez defeated his first ranked opponent of the season, taking down Virginia's No. 9 Eric Albright in a 7-1 decision.
Gomez began last year in similar fashion, running an 18-match winning streak in 2006-07.
CAPTAIN JOE
Senior captain Joe Williams continues to be a driving force for the Spartans, as the fifth-year 197-pounder leads by example for the MSU wrestlers, having defeated three ranked opponents in his 11 bouts this season.
Ranked as high as 15th in the nation, Willams leads the Spartans with three major decisions and ties for first on the team with three pins. The senior is second on the team in total wins this season with his 9-2 record, good for second in winning percentage (.818).
Additionally, Williams is one of four Spartans to remain undefeated in duals (3-0). Joining Joe are Clint Frutiger, Franklin Gomez and Alan O'Donnell.
In his career, Williams owns a 66-35 overall mark and 21-18 dual record.
UP NEXT
The Spartans continue tournament bouts on Dec. 2 in State College, Pa., when MSU will participate in the Penn State Open, an all day event held in PSU's Lorenzo Wrestling Complex.
