Wrestling Set For Mat Town Open

Nov. 27, 2008

EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State wrestling team will travel to Lock Haven, Pa., for the third-annual Mat Town Open this Saturday, Nov. 29. The first matches of the day begin at 9:00 a.m., with action continuing throughout the day. This year's appearance will be the Spartans' first at the Mat Town Open.

Senior Rex Kendle, junior Franklin Gomez and sophomore Anthony Jones Jr. each look to claim their second tournament title of the season, while Gomez looks to extend his current unbeaten streak, which stands at seven matches.

LAST TIME OUT
The Spartans finished the ACC-Big Ten Clash with a 2-1 record to begin dual-match play on Saturday, Nov. 15. The Spartans (2-1) defeated North Carolina, 18-12, and North Carolina State, 23-13, but lost the third match of the Clash to No. 21 Virginia, 23-15.

MSU, No. 9 Illinois and No.12 Wisconsin represented the Big Ten well, winning eight of their nine matches on the day. The Big Ten outscored the ACC, 233-109, in total points. Gomez (133 pounds) and redshirt freshman Eric Olanowski (125) both finished the Clash with an undefeated 3-0 mark, while four other Spartans finished the day at 2-1. Gomez improved his unblemished record to 7-0 on the season.

FAST STARTS
Less than one month into the season, three Spartans already have 10 wins. Kendle (10-2), Olanowski (11-3) and redshirt freshman Ian Hinton (10-3) all have reached double digits, while Gomez (7-0), Jones Jr. (8-3) and junior Alan O'Donnell (7-5) are due to reach that mark shortly.

PIN MACHINE
Olanowski's season record stands at 11-3, with five of the wins coming via fall. Olanowski clinched both third place at the EMU Open and fifth at the MSU Open by fall. His fastest pin came in 1:19 against Ohio's Tyler Mashkow at the MSU Open.

SIGNING DAY
MSU head coach Tom Minkel announced on Nov. 19 the signing of high school wrestlers Josh Harper (Mishawaka, Ind./Mishawaka) and Dan Osterman (St. Johns, Mich./St. Johns) to National Letters of Intent.

Harper enters his senior season with a 141-1 career record, while Osterman carries a 160-7 record after putting together a 52-0 junior campaign.

UP NEXT
The Spartans will make their second trip to Ypsilanti, Mich., on Friday, Dec. 5, to take on Eastern Michigan in dual competition.

The Spartans boast an 11-1 all-time record against the Eagles, including a 24-6 win in East Lansing last season.