Michigan
Big Ten Session I
Michigan Grapplers in Fifth at the Big Ten Championships
3/4/2000 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Warren, No. 3 seed, earned his 97th-career victory by pinning Purdue's No. 6-seeded Evan Robinson, at 3:30. He will wrestle No. 2-seeded Pat McNamara of Michigan State in the semifinals during session II, a rematch of last season's 133 conference final. Logan, seeded fifth, made quick work of Minnesota's Chad Erikson, pinning the Golden Gopher at 1:13. The Logan victory avenged an 13-11 loss earlier in the season. He will face No.1-seeded Scott Schatzman of Northwestern in the semifinals.
Redshirt freshman Mike Kulcyzcki (N. Royalton, Ohio/St. Edwards HS), No. 4, moved on to the 149-pound semifinals defeating No. 5 Karl Nadolsky of Michigan State 11-4 for his first post-season victory. At 184-pounds, Andy Hrovat (Cleveland, Ohio/St. Edwards HS) scored a 16-5 major decision against No. 7 Jared Williams of Purdue to make his way into the semifinals.
A.J. Grant (Clarkston, Mich./Clarkston HS) put a 58-second fall loss to No. 2 Jody Strittmatter of Iowa behind him and retaliated with a 12-7 victory over Michigan State's Chris Williams, seeded eighth, to advance in the consolation rounds. He will square off with No. 4-seeded Jason Silverstein in the next round.
"I didn't want to stand around and let him beat me, so I went at his legs from the start and never let him up," said Grant. "Coach (Sean) Bormet got me pumped up when he was on the sidelines cheering me on. He told me keep on him. Now I have a taste of a victory at the Big Ten Championships and now I want to advance so I can make it to the big show (NCAA Championships)."
Heavyweight Matt Brink (Muskegon, Mich./Fruitport HS), seeded fourth, and 174-pounder Charles Martelli (Naperville, Ill./Naperville North HS) stayed alive in the meet by winning by major decision in the consolation bracket. Brink won 10-1 over Indiana's Mike Dixon, and Martelli executing five takedowns in a 15-5 victory over Penn State's Mark Becks, seeded eighth.
"We're in a position now where every match is important," said head coach Joe McFarland. "This evenings round is big in terms of not only team score but NCAA qualifiers as well. We're going to need to win some tough matches. My goal now is to get all seven of these guys to nationals."
The Maize and Blue will return to the mat at 7 p.m. for the semifinals and consolation matches in the second session of the Big Ten tournament.
Team Results After Session I
1. Minnesota 54.00 2. Iowa 50.50 3. Illinois 44.50 4. Michigan State 36.50 5. Michigan 31.50 6. Penn State 24.50 7. Indiana 22.00 8. Wisconsin 21.50 9. Northwestern 15.50 10. Purdue 12.00
Michigan Competitors
A.J. Grant (125)
First Round - pinned by #2 Jody Strittmatter (Iowa), :58
Consolations - dec. #8 Chris Williams (Michigan State), 12-7
#3 Joe Warren (133)
First Round - Bye
Quarterfinals - pinned #6 Evan Robinson (Purdue), 3:30
#5 Damion Logan (141)
First Round - Bye
Quarterfinals - pinned #7 Jason Betz (Penn State), 1:13
#4 Mike Kulczycki (149)
First Round - Bye
Quarterfinals - dec. #5 Karl Nadolsky (Michigan State), 11-4
Tony Holifield (157)
First Round - fall by #4 Kevin Stanley (Indiana), 2:49
Consolation - major dec. by #6 Corey Wallman, 12-0
Finished with a 0-2 record
#7 Jason Rawls (165)
First Round - Bye
Quarterfinal - dec. by #2 Brad Pike (Minnesota), 8-2
Consolations - dec. by Kirk Moore (Purdue), 4-3
Finished with a 0-2 record
Charles Martelli (174)
First Round - dec. by #7 Joel Walker (Ohio State), 10-5
Consolations - major dec. Mark Becks (Penn State), 15-5
#2 Andy Hrovat (184)
First Round - Bye
Quarterfinals - major dec. #7 Jared Williams (Purdue), 15-6
Joe Degain (197)
First Round - dec. by #2 Nick Preston (Ohio State), 7-5
Consolations - dec. by #4 Pat Quirk (Illinois), 4-0
Finished with a 0-2 record
#4 Matt Brink (Hwt)
First Round - Bye
Quarterfinals - dec. by #5 Mark Lamb (Michigan State), 2-1
Consolations - major dec. Mike Dixon (Indiana), 10-1
Contact: Jason Binge (734) 763-4423
Players Mentioned
