Wrestling Prepares to Host MSU Open
11/6/2008 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Nov. 6, 2008
MSU Open Information
Coach Minkel Press Conference
EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State wrestling team looks to improve upon last weekend's success at the EMU Open with a strong showing at its own open tournament this Sunday. The Spartans come into the MSU Open with a sense of confidence after 13 wrestlers placed sixth or higher last weekend.
"It gave us some material to work on," MSU head coach Tom Minkel said. "You never quite find out in practice what the real issues are, so it was good to get some competition before this weekend."
Over 500 wrestlers will hit the mats at Jenison Field House, with close to 40 college teams represented.
"It is probably the toughest preseason tournament in the country," Minkel said. "And for whatever reason, this year the tournament is just enormous."
Junior Franklin Gomez, who is ranked No. 3 in the country by NWCA/InterMat, looks to defend his 2007 MSU Open championship in the 133-pound class. Last year, Gomez won four matches on his way to the title, including a 15-2 major decision in the first round. Gomez also won the 125-pound title at the 2006 MSU Open.
Six of Gomez's teammates also placed last year, including current teammates John Murphy (fifth place, 174), Eric Olanowski (second, 125), Ian Hinton (second, 184), and Tyler Dickenson (fourth, 197).
More information on the MSU Open can be found at www.msuwrestling.com and trackwrestling.com.
Brackets will be updated all day long at msuspartans.com.
Players Mentioned
