Spartan Wrestling Begins 2015-16 Season at Eastern Michigan Duals
11/5/2015 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Mitch Rogaliner and the Spartans open the 2015-16 season on Saturday.
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- The Michigan State wrestling team will begin the 2015-16 season on Saturday, Nov. 7 at the Eastern Michigan Duals in Ypsilanti at the Convocation Center.
The Spartans will wrestle Utah Valley at 9 a.m., Ohio at 10:30 a.m. and Clarion at 1:30 p.m.
In conjunction with the EMU Duals, several Spartans not in the starting lineup will be competing in the EMU Open throughout the day on Saturday. For results, visit TrackWrestling.com.
Michigan State head coach Tom Minkel, who is entering his 25th season as head coach of the Spartans, previously announced this summer that he would be retiring following the 2015-16 season. Longtime assistant Roger Chandler was appointed head coach designate by MSU Athletics Director Mark Hollis on June 30 and will begin head coaching duties after the season.
Sitting in his office earlier this week with the Eastern Michigan Duals looming on Saturday, Minkel previewed the Spartan starting lineup for the three matches, beginning with promising redshirt sophomore Mitch Rogaliner at 125 pounds. Rogaliner started all 18 duals for the Spartans as a redshirt freshman and ranked tied for first on the team with 34 dual-meet points.
"Mitch is the real deal," said Minkel. "He's crafty, he's smart. He's a little unorthodox; he's just got a little bit of a different style. He's really low, sometimes down on one knee, but he's going to have a good year, no doubt about it. He's just the right size for 125, he's a big kid, but really disciplined with his weight. I'm excited about Mitch. He's going to have great year, no doubt about it."
Fourth-year junior Garth Yenter will get the nod at 133 pounds this weekend. Yenter started every dual at 133 as a redshirt freshman in 2013-14 and rotated between 133 (six starts) and 141 (eight starts) last season. Yenter brings an element of experience with 32 career starts.
Redshirt freshman Kyle Abdellatif, who went 6-4 during his redshirt season including a sixth-place finish at the EMU Open, will start his first career dual at 141 pounds. Abdellatif is a native of Ypsilanti and was a two-time state placewinner at Ypsilanti Community High School.
One of the surprises of preseason practice was the emergence of third-year sophomore Josh Pennell at 149 pounds. Pennell went 6-8 last season and started in two duals at 157 pounds out of necessity, but made significant progress in the offseason to earn a starting position.
"This year, Josh is one of the toughest kids in the room," said Minkel. "He's lifted very well and he's super strong. He's really solid and remarkably athletic. You just watch him day in, day out of practice, and he's done really well. Very good high school athlete at St. Johns. His gain from last year to this year is remarkable."
Fifth-year senior Joe Johnson is healthy and ready to assume the starting role at 157 pounds. Johnson has battled injuries much of his career but does have some starting experience, with five starts coming his way during his sophomore year in 2013-14.
Redshirt junior Travis Curley will move up a weight class from 157 to 165 pounds this season and begins the year as the starter. Curley went 8-15 last season and started in six duals.
"Travis has gotten bigger, and there's a physical maturity to him that he didn't have last year," remarked Minkel. "His maturity is really noticeable, the way he handles himself, the way he wrestles."
At 174, redshirt freshman Shane Shadaia won his wrestleoff to earn the start this weekend, while his brother and fellow classmate Shwan will wrestle at 184. Shwan was a back-to-back MHSAA Division 1 state champion at 189 pounds at Rochester Hills High School.
"They are tough kids," commented Minkel on the Shadaia brothers. "Physically matured, not flashy, but they're both tough and hard-nosed."
The Spartans will go with a true freshman at 197 pounds in three-time state champion Jacob Cooper.
"This kid is big time," said Minkel. "He's the real deal. First of all, he's just a mature kid in the terms of his wrestling and physique. He wrestles well and is confident. He wrestles like he's a junior. You get the sense that he knows what he's doing, and doesn't make many mistakes. He's in great shape and has a huge motor. He doesn't get tired."
Fourth-year junior Dimitrus Renfroe, who went 6-6 last season in open tournaments, will get the start heavyweight.
"First of all, he weighs like 265," Minkel said. "And he's a really good student of the sport. You talk to him to work on stuff and he does it. He's really athletic, he's big, and he's strong. What he doesn't have is much experience, but I think he'll be just fine."
The Spartans will return to action for their annual MSU Open on Sunday, Nov. 15 at Jenison Field House.
Michigan State Probable Lineup -- Eastern Michigan Duals
WT: Wrestler (Class, 2014-15 Record)
125: Mitch Rogaliner (R-So., 17-13)
133: Garth Yenter (R-Jr., 9-13)
141: Kyle Abdellatif (R-Fr., 6-4*)
149: Josh Pennell (R-So., 6-8)
157: Joe Johnson (R-Sr., 4-5)
165: Travis Curley (R-Jr., 8-15)
174: Shane Shadaia (R-Fr., 4-2*)
184: Shwan Shadaia (R-Fr., 3-1*)
197: Jacob Cooper (Fr., N/A)
HWT: Dimitrus Renfroe (R-Jr., 6-6)
*Redshirted; record in open tournaments does not count toward official records
Players Mentioned
