Michigan
Michigan State
Wolverines Defeat Michigan State for First Big Ten Win
1/28/2001 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- The No. 6-ranked University of Michigan wrestling team needed a little extra time to defeat No. 8-ranked Big Ten Conference rival Michigan State 20-12 on Sunday (Jan. 28) in a packed Jenison Field House. Trailing 12-9 after seven matches -- four of which went to overtime -- the Wolverines won the last three bouts, including two by major decision, to sweep the season series with the Spartans.
Senior 197-pounder Joe DeGain (White Lake, Mich./Clarkston HS) led the Wolverines in the first matchup, defeating No. 11 Nik Fekete 7-3 to avenge a dual-meet loss to Fekete earlier this season (Dec. 8). Heavyweight Matt Brink (Muskegon, Mich./Fruitport HS) needed just seven seconds of overtime to defeat Matt Lamb 3-1 in the first of four consecutive matches to go into overtime. Brink's win staked the Maize and Blue a 6-0 lead.
After three straight overtime decisions put the Spartans up 9-6, Mike Kulczycki (North Royalton, Ohio/St. Edwards HS) pulled out a 7-5 win over No. 17 Karl Nadolsky at 149 pounds to tie the match at 9-9.
The Wolverines again fell behind (12-9), but 165-pounder Charles Martelli (Naperville, Ill./Naperville North HS) took down Corey Posey 7-3, and U-M secured the win with two major decisions. Otto Olson (Everett, Wash./Everett HS) earned a 14-5 major decision over Nate Mesyn at 174, and Andy Hrovat (Gates Mills, Ohio/St. Edwards HS) defeated John Wechter 13-4 at 184.
U-M is home next weekend for more Big Ten Conference action, against Iowa (Friday, Feb. 2) and Wisconsin (Saturday, Feb. 3). Both duals begin at 7 p.m. in Cliff Keen Arena.
Michigan 20, Michigan State 12
| 197 -- #14 Joe DeGain (U-M) dec. #11 Nik Fekete, 7-3 | U-M, 3-0 |
| Hwt -- #2 Matt Brink (U-M) dec. Matt Lamb, 3-1 (OT) | U-M, 6-0 |
| 125 -- #12 Chris Williams (MSU) dec. #8 A.J. Grant, 4-2 (OT) | U-M, 6-3 |
| 133 -- #6 Pat McNamara (MSU) dec. #14 Foley Dowd, 4-2 (OT) | Tie, 6-6 |
| 141 -- #16 Mike Castillo (MSU) dec. #12 Clark Forward, 5-4 (OT) | MSU, 9-6 |
| 149 -- #13 Mike Kulczycki (U-M) dec. #17 Karl Nadolsky, 7-5 | Tie, 9-9 |
| 157 -- #13 Gray Maynard (MSU) dec. Pat Owen, 7-4 | MSU, 12-9 |
| 165 -- #6 Charles Martelli (U-M) dec. Corey Posey, 7-3 | Tie, 12-12 |
| 174 -- #2 Otto Olson (U-M) major dec. Nate Mesyn, 14-5 | U-M, 16-12 |
| 184 -- #11 Andy Hrovat (U-M) major dec. John Wechter, 13-4 | U-M, 20-12 |
Contact: Karen Simpson (734) 763-4423
Players Mentioned
