Spartans Ready for Eastern Michigan Duals
11/14/2014 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State wrestling team will face Chattanooga, Kent State and Olivet College Saturday in the Eastern Michigan Duals in Ypsilanti. Both Chattanooga and Kent State are receiving votes in the NWCA/USA Today Division I Team Coaches Poll.
It marks the first dual action of 2014-15 for the Spartans, who began their season Nov. 2 at the MSU Open in Jenison Field House.
"The outcome of your individual match can have an impact on the entire dual," said Minkel, as the focus for the Spartans now shifts from an open tournament setting to a dual environment. "It's a different mindset, because you have another aspect to think about when you're competing, but with that said, the important thing for us is that we go out and really wrestle hard. We're going to put a more experienced lineup on the mat than we have in some time, so I think that will help and will be a good thing for us."
Seven of MSU's 10 starters are upperclassmen, including fifth-year seniors Ryan Watts (165), Nick Proctor (174), John Rizqallah (184) and Nick McDiarmid (197).
"The biggest thing is that you're braced for what the season is," said Minkel of his veteran leadership. "When you're young, a dual is a new experience, but with our upperclassmen, they've been through this. I think that experience factor and understanding what it's all about helps enormously. We're going to need that this season and this weekend. We're facing some very strong teams."
It marks the first-ever meeting between the Spartans and the Chattanooga Mocs. The Spartans lead the all-time series against Kent State, 9-7, including a 36-7 victory on Jan. 21, 2005 in the last meeting. MSU is 4-0 against Olivet College after shutting out the Comets last season in East Lansing, 40-0.
Live results from the entire Eastern Michigan Duals will be available at TrackWrestling.com.
| Michigan State Probable Starting Lineup for EMU Duals | |
| 125 | Mitch Rogaliner (R-Fr., 4-1) |
| 133 | Javier Gasca (R-Fr., 4-1) |
| 141 | Garth Yenter (So., 2-2) |
| 149 | Nick Trimble (Jr., 3-1) |
| 157 | Roger Wildmo (Jr., 3-2) |
| 165 | Ryan Watts (Sr., 4-1) |
| 174 | Nick Proctor (Sr., 3-2) |
| 184 | John Rizqallah (Sr., 2-1) |
| 197 | Nick McDiarmid (Sr., 2-1) |
| Hwt. | Chris Nash (Jr., 3-1) |
Players Mentioned
