Weekly Release #4
12/30/2003 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Upcoming Schedule
Saturday, Jan. 3 -- at Lone Star Duals (Dallas, Texas)
vs. Pennsylvania (10 a.m. CST), vs. Harvard (4 p.m. CST), vs.Oklahoma (8 p.m. CST)
Monday, Jan. 5 -- at Cal State Fullerton (Fullerton, Calif.), 7 p.m. PST
Saturday-Sunday, Jan. 17-18 -- at Cliff Keen/NWCA National Duals (Cleveland, Ohio)
Wolverines Open New Year on the Road
The No. 6-ranked University of Michigan wrestling team (2-1, 0-0 Big Ten) returns to the mat in 2004 with four dual meets during a three-day stretch. U-M will face three tough non-conference opponents on Saturday (Jan. 3) at the Lone Star Duals in Dallas, Texas -- No. 15 Pennsylvania (1-0, 0-0 Ivy League) at 10 a.m., Harvard (0-0, 0-0 Ivy League) at 4 p.m. and No. 16 Oklahoma (3-1, 0-0 Big 12) at 8 p.m. (all times Central). Two days later, the Wolverines will travel to Cal State Fullerton (0-2, 0-0 Pac-10) to square off against the Titans on Monday (Jan. 5) at 7 p.m. PST.
The Series vs. Pennsylvania
Michigan leads the all-time series with a perfect 3-0 advantage, dating back to the 1995-96 season. Michigan head coach Joe McFarland owns a perfect 1-0 record against the Quakers since taking the helm of the U-M program.
Last Meeting vs. Pennsylvania
In the last meeting between Michigan and Pennsylvania, held on Jan. 7, 2001 in Philadelphia, Pa., the Wolverines cruised to a 26-6 victory, collecting wins from eight individual wrestlers. Michigan jumped to a commanding 16-0 lead by winning the first five matches, including a 18-6 major decision by Foley Dowd at 133 pounds. The Quakers put points on the board with a win at 157, but the Wolverines responded, winning three of the final four matches, including a 22-9 major decision by Otto Olson at 174 pounds.
About the Quakers
Pennsylvania owns a perfect 1-0 record this season after defeating Wisconsin 19-15 on Dec. 5. In their most recent appearance, the Quakers boasted three champions and six finalists at the Nittany Lions Invitational (Dec. 7). Leading the Quakers are a trio of wrestlers ranked among the top 10 at their respective weights -- Matt Valenti (3rd, 125), Doug McGraw (8th, 141) and Matt Feast (4th, Hwt). Head coach Roger Reina is in his 18th season at Pennsylvania and owns a 189-92-6 career record with the Quakers. Against the Wolverines, Reina is 0-3. Pennsylvania on the Internet: www.pennathletics.com.
The Series vs. Harvard
The Wolverines have never faced Harvard on the wrestling mat prior to Saturday's dual meet at the Lone Star Duals. The Wolverines own an all-time record of 4-3 against Ivy League schools.
About the Crimson
Harvard has demonstrated its potential in early appearances this season. The Crimson boasted a pair of placewinners at the Cliff Keen Invitational (Dec. 5-6) as the team claimed 12th place (51.5 points). Prior to making its dual meet debut at the Lone Star Duals, Harvard will compete in the prestigious Midands Invitational (Dec. 28-29). Leading the Crimson is senior Jesse Jantzen, the top-ranked wrestler at 149 pounds. Head coach Jay Weiss is in his 10th season at Harvard and owns a 66-66-1 career record with the Crimson. Weiss has not faced the Wolverines since becoming head coach at Harvard. Harvard on the Internet: www.gocrimson.com.
The Series vs. Oklahoma
Michigan and Oklahoma have been evenly matched through seven previous meetings with a 3-3-1 record between the two schools dating back to the 1973-74 season. All but one meeting have been held at neutral sites, where the Wolverines are 2-3-1. Michigan head coach Joe McFarland has been undefeated against the Sooners since taking the helm of the U-M program, owning a 1-0-1 record.
Last Meeting vs. Oklahoma
Michigan battled to a 21-19 upset victory over the third-ranked Sooners in the last meeting between the two schools on Jan. 20, 2002 at the National Duals in Columbus, Ohio. With the victory in the consolation bracket, the Wolverines claimed fifth place at the annual dual meet tournament. After losing the first three matches and trailing 13-0, Michigan won the next six consecutive matches to establish a commanding lead before forfeiting the heavyweight bout. Three Wolverines earned upset victories over three Sooner wrestlers ranked in the top five -- U-M's Mike Kulczycki, ranked eighth, defeated fourth-ranked Jared Frayer 7-2 at 149 pounds, 13th-ranked Charles Martelli earned a 6-4 overtime win against fifth-ranked Robbie Waller at 165 pounds, and fifth-ranked Andy Hrovat pulled out a 5-2 decision over second-ranked Josh Lambrecht at 184 pounds.
About the Sooners
Oklahoma is off to a strong start this season, posting a 3-1 record with routs over Missouri Valley (34-6, Nov. 6), Bacone (53-0, Dec. 11) and Central Oklahoma (33-9, Dec. 11). The Sooners' only loss this season has come against Oklahoma State (12-23, Dec. 7). The Sooners have five nationally ranked wrestlers and three who are ranked among the top 10 at their respective weights -- Sam Hazewinkel (6th, 125), Teyon Ware (1st, 141) and Leonce Crump (3rd, Hwt). Head coach Jack Spates is in his 10th season at Oklahoma and owns a 142-57-5 career record with the Sooners. Spates is 1-1-1 against the Wolverines during his tenure at Oklahoma. Oklahoma on the Internet: www.soonersports.com.
The Series vs. Cal State Fullerton
Monday's dual meet against the Titans will mark the inaugural meeting between Michigan and Cal State Fullerton. Against Pac-10 wrestling schools, Michigan owns an 9-3-1 career record.
About the Titans
Cal State Fullerton has posted a 0-2 record this season with early losses to UC Davis (9-33, Nov. 21) and Cal Poly (12-30). The Titans claimed 10th place at the Reno Tournament of Champions (Dec. 18) in their most recent appearance, boasting a pair of placewinners. Cal State Fullerton has one ranked wrestler in junior Landon Seefeldt, who stands at 15th at 197 pounds. Head coach Dan Hicks is in his second season at Cal State Fullerton and owns a 9-12-1 record with the Titan program. Hicks has not faced the Wolverines since becoming head coach at Cal State Fullerton. Cal State Fullerton on the Internet: www.titansports.org
Probable Michigan Starting Lineup
| Wgt. | Wrestler | Yr./Elig. |
| 125 | Mark Moos | So./Fr. |
| 133 | Foley Dowd or Chase Metcalf | 5th/Sr. So./Fr. |
| 141 | Clark Forward | 5th/Sr. |
| 149 | Ryan Churella | Jr./So. |
| 157 | Ryan Bertin | Sr./Jr. |
| 165 | Pat Owen | 5th/Sr. |
| 174 | R.J. Boudro or Nick Roy | Jr./So. So./Fr. |
| 184 | Joshua Weitzel | Fr./Fr. |
| 197 | Chase Verdoorn | So./Fr. |
| Hwt | Greg Wagner | Jr./So. |
Marquee Matches
#4 Mark Moos (125 Pounds) vs. #3 Matt Valenti (Pennsylvania)/#6 Sam Hazewinkel (Oklahoma)
In just his first season starting for the Wolverines, sophomore/freshman Mark Moos (Lorain, Ohio/St. Edward HS) has already made quite an impression at 125 pounds. After starting the season unranked, Moos has climbed the national rankings into the fourth position in the most recent Amateur Wrestling News poll after posting an 11-2 overall record and claiming second place at the Cliff Keen Invitational (Dec. 5-6). Moos will face perhaps the most difficult challenge in his brief career, squaring off against two wrestlers ranked among the nation's best at Saturday's Lone Star Duals. In U-M's first dual of the day, Moos will meet third-ranked Matt Feast of Pennsylvania, a sophomore NCAA qualifier who notched the third-most wins in a season in Penn wrestling history with a record of 33-10. This season Valenti owns a perfect 12-0 mark and has captured titles at the Keystone Classic (Nov. 23) and the Nittany Lion Invitational (Dec. 7). Oklahoma's Hazewinkel, a redshirt freshman, is undefeated in his first season starting at 125 pounds. The Sooner wrestler captured individual titles at the Missouri Open (Nov. 23) and the Oklahoma Open (Nov. 29), and in his most recent appearance, tallied a pair of falls against Bacone's Mike Copeland and Central Oklahoma's Jarred Henning.
#9 Ryan Churella (149 pounds) vs. #1 Jesse Jantzen (Harvard)
Saturday's dual against Harvard will mark the second meeting between junior/sophomore Ryan Churella (Northville, Mich./Novi HS) and top-ranked Jesse Jantzen. The two wrestlers squared off in the second round of last season's NCAA Championships with Jantzen earning a 12-1 major decision. This season Churella is off to a solid start with a near-perfect 14-1 overall record and a 3-0 mark in dual meets. Churella captured the 149-pound title at the Eastern Michigan Open (Nov. 1) and placed third at the Cliff Keen Invitational (Dec. 5-6). Jantzen, a two-time All-American with third-place finishes at the 2002 and 2003 NCAA Championships, has competed at 157 pounds in three early-season tournaments, capturing first place at the Cortland Open (Nov. 22) and East Stroudsburg Open (Nov. 22) and finishing third at the Cliff Keen Invitational (Dec. 5-6).
#6 Greg Wagner (Heavyweight) vs. #3 Matt Feast (Pennsylvania)/#4 Leonce Crump (Oklahoma)
Junior/sophomore Greg Wagner (Fort Wayne, Ind./Snider HS) will receive the greatest challenge of all U-M wrestlers at Saturday's Lone Star Duals, squaring off against a pair of top-five heavyweights. As perhaps the Wolverines' most consistent wrestler this season, Wagner has demonstrated his qualifications as one the nation's top heavyweights with a team-leading 16-2 overall record and a perfect 3-0 mark in dual meets. In early-season tournaments, Wagner captured first at the Eastern Michigan Open (Nov. 1) and tallied runner-up showings at the Michigan State Open (Nov. 8-9) and Cliff Keen Invitational (Dec. 5-6). Feast earned All-America honors last season after finishing seventh at the NCAA Championships. This season Feast is 10-2 after claiming first at the Keystone Classic (Nov. 23) and second at the Nittany Lion Invitational (Dec. 7). Crump, a two-time NCAA qualifier who earned All-America honors in 2001 after placing fourth at the NCAA Championships, is off to a solid start this season with a first-place finish at the Oklahoma Open (Nov. 29) and a second-place finish at the Missouri Open (Nov. 23). In dual meets, Crump owns a perfect 4-0 record, including falls over Missouri Valley' Adam Nuru and Bacone's Dillon Warde.
U-M Closes Out 2003 With Win Over EMU
Michigan collected its second dual-meet victory of the season, posting a 29-16 win over Eastern Michigan on Dec. 14 at Cliff Keen Arena. U-M used big wins to cruise past the Eagles, earning bonus points with five of the team's six victories. The Wolverines jumped ahead early with wins at 125 and 133 pounds, including a fall by sophomore/freshman Chase Metcalf (Davison, Mich./Davison HS), his first career dual-meet win, at 2:07 against Vince Liceri. Eastern Michigan pulled within three points late in the meet after earning four wins at the middle weights, but U-M sealed the victory with wins in the final two matches. Sophomore/freshman Chase Verdoorn (Platte City, Mo./Platte County HS) dominated Tony Lyssiotis at 197 pounds, scoring five takedowns en route to a 12-3 major decision, and junior/sophomore Greg Wagner (Fort Wayne, Ind./Snider HS) ended his match early, pinning Brandon Tate at the 4:01 mark in the heavyweight bout.
Pinning Down the Competition
With a pair of falls against Eastern Michigan, the Wolverines upped their combined fall total to 42 pins this season, accounting for 26.1 percent (42/161) of their total victories.
Michigan Fall Leaders
| 1. | Ryan Churella | 6 |
| | Joshua Weitzel | 6 |
| 3. | Mark Moos | 5 |
| 4. | Greg Wagner | 4 |
| 5. | Josh Churella | 3 |
| | Pat Owen | 3 |
Non-Conference Success
During head coach Joe McFarland's tenure at Michigan, the Wolverines have posted an impressive 27-8-1 (.764) record against non-conference opponents. This season the Wolverines are 2-1 against teams outside the Big Ten, earning a 29-16 victory over Eastern Michigan (Dec. 14) and splitting a pair of non-conference duals in the season-opening tri-meet (Nov. 23), defeating Central Michigan (27-16) and falling to Lehigh (18-12).
Nearing the Century Mark
A pair of Wolverines have the prestigious 100-win milestone within their sights this season. By earning four victories at the Cliff Keen Invitational, senior/junior Ryan Bertin brought his career record to 89-17, just 11 wins shy of of joining U-M's 100-win club. Fifth-year senior Foley Dowd, with a career record of 83-27, is 17 wins shy of the mark. Twenty-two Michigan wrestlers have previously reached 100 career wins, the most recent being two-time All-American A.J. Grant, who posted a 34-9 record last season to place himself 14th on Michigan's career wins list with a career mark of 116-58.
NWCA Division I Team Rankings (12/17/03)
RANK, TEAM POINTS RECORD PREV 1. Oklahoma State (8) 296 5-1 1 2. Iowa State (4) 292 8-0 2 3. Lehigh 263 6-1 3 4. Nebraska 258 5-0 4 5. Iowa 248 5-1 5 6. MICHIGAN 239 2-1 6 7. Illinois 230 1-0 6 8. Missouri 227 2-0 8 9. Cornell 200 0-0 9 10. Minnesota 197 0-1 10 11. Arizona State 171 0-1 14 12. Penn State 168 1-0 11 13. Hofstra 148 2-1 12 14. Ohio State 128 3-0 13 15. Pennsylvania 126 1-0 15 16. Oklahoma 117 3-1 16 17. Central Michigan 111 2-2 18 18. West Virginia 109 0-0 18 19. Wisconsin 91 5-1 19 20. Purdue 61 4-0 21 21. Northern Iowa 58 2-2 20 22. Edinboro 46 2-1 22 23. Cal Poly 29 1-0 24 24. Boise State 23 0-1 23 25. The Citadel 11 1-0 NR Fresno State 11 0-0 25 Michigan State 11 0-2 NR
Individual Rankings by InterMat and Amateur Wrestling News
| Wgt. | Wrestler | InterMat | AWN |
| 125 | Mark Moos | 5th | 4th |
| 141 | Clark Forward | 19th | 16th |
| 149 | Ryan Churella | 8th | 9th |
| 157 | Ryan Bertin | 2nd | 2nd |
| 165 | Pat Owen | 12th | 5th |
| Hwt | Greg Wagner | 6th | 6th |
On the Horizon
The Wolverines will take a two-week hiatus before returning to the mat at the Cliff Keen/NWCA National Duals on Jan. 17-18 in Cleveland, Ohio.
Contact: Leah Howard (734) 763-4423
Players Mentioned
