Michigan State University
Central Michigan
Wrestling Welcomes Central Michigan on Senior Night
2/22/2024 4:30:00 PM | Wrestling
EAST LANSING, Mich. – Michigan State wrestling (9-6, 2-6 B1G) prepares for its final dual meet of the 2023-24 season on Fri., February 23 as it hosts in-state rival Central Michigan (8-6, 6-1 MAC) inside Jenison Field House. First whistle is slated for 6:30 p.m. The dual will be streamed on Big Ten Plus.
In addition to MSU's regular season finale, the dual on Friday will serve as the Spartans' Senior Night celebration as the team will honor six individuals: 141-pounder Jordan Hamdan, 141-pounder Blake Noonan, 165-pounder Colton Blaha, 174-pounder Marty Larkin,184-pounder Layne Malczewski and student manager Connor Horton.
MSU Notes | Central Michigan Notes
HEAD COACH ROGER CHANDLER
"There is no doubt that this group of seniors has had a huge impact on Spartan Wrestling. Their work ethic, commitment to be great, and leadership is what makes each of them special. What I am most proud of is how important Spartan Wrestling is to each of them and how each of them has built a bigger foundation for the future."
CELEBRATING THE SENIORS
The Spartans will honor five wrestlers and one student manager before Friday night's dual, including two in MSU's starting lineup. Graduate Malczewski will look to finish his regular season career with his 100th-career victory. The Macomb, Michigan, native sits at 99 wins, his 29 career pins is best for eighth all-time in program history. Hamdan hopes to cap off his final season in East Lansing with a return to the NCAA National Tournament for the second time in his career. As a redshirt freshman, Hamdan made the national tournament in his first season as a starter back in 2021. Larkin has made three dual starts this season and holds a 14-9 record.
MSU's ceremony will also recognize Blaha, who has 15 career wins for the Green and White and is a two-time Academic All-Big Ten selection. Noonan made two career dual starts which included his first career victory over Presbyterian 9-1. The last Spartan is student-manager Horton, who has served the program for the past three years.
KNOW THE FOE: CENTRAL MICHIGAN
At the helm for Central Michigan is 33rd-year head coach Tom Borrelli. The Chippewas enter the week with an 8-6 overall record and a 6-1 mark in the Mid-American Conference which is tied with Northern Illinois in the western division. Three of Central Michigan's loses have come to Top 25 opponents, against No. 11 Oklahoma (29-11), No. 22 North Carolina (25-10) and No. 25 Indiana (25-15).
This will mark the 38th meeting between Michigan State and the Chippewas and the third-straight season going head-to-head. The Green and White have taken three of the last five meetings but trail in the all-time series 17-20. Three Chippewa wrestlers are nationally ranked in their respective weight classes on InterMat: Corbyn Munson (No. 14 | 149), Johnny Lovett (No. 26 | 157) and Alex Cramer (No. 25 | 174).
THE LAST TIME OUT
Last week, Michigan State lost to No. 6-ranked Ohio State 38-7. Seniors 157-pounder Chase Saldate and 165-pounder Caleb Fish each picked up victories. Saldate finished 7-1 in Big Ten duals with five of the victories ended with bonus points. Fish finished the B1G season 5-2 overall.
IMPORTANT PARKING INFORMATION
Due to the hockey game on Friday night, lot 67 near Jenison Field House will be closed. Click here for parking directions and other available lots.
Players Mentioned
