Michigan State University
NCAA Championships - Session 1
NCAA Wrestling Championships Update: Session One
3/17/2011 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
March 17, 2011
PHILADELPHIA - The NCAA Wrestling Championships got underway Thursday afternoon at the Wells Fargo Center with first-round matches. Both Curran Jacobs (174 pounds) and Joe Rizqallah (heavyweight) recorded victories for the Spartans and advanced to the second round Thursday night.
Jacobs got off to a fast start in his first career NCAA match, upsetting 11th-seeded Austin Meys of Lehigh by major decision, 13-5. The junior from Owosso, Mich., recorded two takedowns and near fall points in the first period to take a commanding 6-2 advantage. Jacobs added a takedown in the second and two more in the third en route to the 13-5 win.
"Curran was really lighting it up in his first match," said Spartan head coach Tom Minkel. "We talked before the match about being aggressive early, and that really was the difference - he didn't hold back. He wrestled wide open and it paid off."
Jacobs will wrestle sixth-seeded Ben Bennett of Central Michigan in the second round. Bennett defeated Jacobs earlier this season in a dual on Jan. 21, 5-2. Although Rizqallah trailed Eastern Michigan's David Wade after two periods, 1-0, Rizqallah racked up nearly two minutes of riding time in the second period. Rizqallah escaped early in the third, recorded a takedown, and tacked on a riding time point to get the 4-1 decision.
"It was really a workmanlike win for Joe," Minkel said. "He got riding time in the second, and then got a takedown in the third. It was a good, solid match for him."
In the second round, Rizqallah will face Arizona State's Levi Cooper, who upset No. 4 seed Dominick Russo in the first round.
Dan Osterman and Tyler Dickenson each lost close matches at 149 pounds and 197 pounds, respectively.
Osterman lost in sudden victory overtime to Derek Valenti of Virginia, 3-1. After no scoring in the first, Valenti escaped in the second, but Osterman tied it with an escape in the third. Osterman nearly had control for a takedown in sudden victory, but Valenti then got behind Osterman for the two points and the win.
Dickenson dropped a 3-1 decision after giving up a takedown to Lehigh's Joseph Kennedy in the final seconds of the third period. Dickenson tied the match at 1 with an escape earlier in the period.
"Both Danny and Tyler lost by the slimmest of margins," said Minkel. "Both of them wrestled well, and it could've gone either way."
At 157 pounds, Sean McMurray lost to ninth-seeded James Fleming of Clarion, 5-0.
In Thursday's evening session, Osterman will wrestle Rider's Zac Cibula in the consolation first round, McMurray will go against Northern Illinois' Bryan Deutsch, and Dickenson will take on Arizona State's Luke Macchiaroli.
All five Spartans are making their first career appearances at the NCAA Wrestling Championships. Session Two begins at 6:30 p.m.; live coverage is available at ESPN3.com and live results are available at msuspartans.com via the NWCA Scorebook.
149 - First Round: Dan Osterman (MSU) vs. Derek Valenti (Virginia)
Period 1
No scoring
Period 2
Dan Osterman Chooses Defer
Derek Valenti Chooses Bottom
D. Valenti E1 (0-1)
Period 3
Dan Osterman Chooses Bottom
1:01 left in the 3rd, 24 seconds of riding time favoring Valenti
D. Osterman E1 (1-1)
OT SV
D. Valenti T2 (1-3)
Derek Valenti Wins - SV, 3-1
157 - First Round: Sean McMurray (MSU) vs. No. 9 James Fleming (Clarion)
Period 1
J. Fleming T2 (0-2)
Period 2
James Fleming Chooses Defer
Sean McMurray Chooses Neutral
J. Fleming T2 (0-4)
Period 3
James Fleming Chooses Bottom
J. Fleming E1 (0-5)
James Fleming Wins - DEC, 5-0
174 - First Round: Curran Jacobs (MSU) vs. No. 11 Austin Meys (Lehigh)
Period 1
C. Jacobs T2 (2-0)
A. Meys E1 (2-1)
C. Jacobs T2 (4-1)
C. Jacobs NF2 (6-1)
A. Meys E1 (6-2)
Period 2
Curran Jacobs Chooses Defer
Austin Meys Chooses Bottom
A. Meys E1 (6-3)
C. Jacobs T2 (8-3)
A. Meys P1 (8-4)
Period 3
Curran Jacobs Chooses Bottom
Curran Jacobs Chooses Neutral
C. Jacobs T2 (10-4)
A. Meys E1 (10-5)
C. Jacobs T2 (12-5)
Curran Jacobs RT1 2:54 (13-5)
Curran Jacobs Wins - MD, 13-5
197 - First Round: Tyler Dickenson (MSU) vs. Joseph Kennedy (Lehigh)
Period 1
No scoring
Period 2
Tyler Dickenson Chooses Defer
Joseph Kennedy Chooses Bottom
J. Kennedy E1 (0-1)
Period 3
Tyler Dickenson Chooses Bottom
T. Dickenson E1 (1-1)
J. Kennedy T2 (1-3)
Joseph Kennedy Wins - DEC, 3-1
HWT - First Round: Joe Rizqallah (MSU) vs. David Wade (Eastern Michigan)
Period 1
No scoring
Period 2
Rizqallah Chooses Defer
Wade Chooses Bottom
D. Wade E1 (0-1)
Period 3
Joseph Rizqallah Chooses Bottom
J. Rizqallah E1 (1-1)
J. Rizqallah SW
J. Rizqallah T2 (3-1)
Joseph Rizqallah RT1 1:50
Joseph Rizqallah Wins - DEC, 4-1
Players Mentioned
