Churella, Tannenbaum Selected for All-Star Classic
10/30/2007 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
MANHEIM, Pa. -- Fifth-year senior captains Josh Churella (Northville, Mich./Novi HS) and Eric Tannenbaum (Naperville, Ill./North HS) of the University of Michigan wrestling team have been selected to participate in the National Wrestling Coaches Association's 42nd annual All-Star Classic. The event will be held Monday, Nov. 19, on the University of Oregon's McArthur Court.
Churella will square off against 2005 NCAA champion and Big Ten rival Dustin Schlatter of Minnesota in the 149-pound match, while Tannnebaum will face Arizona State's Pat Pitsch at 165 pounds. It marks the 10th time in program history that the Wolverines have boasted multiple wrestlers in the all-star lineup.
The NWCA All-Star Cassic pits the nation's top collegiate wrestlers against each other in challenge matches that are often seen as a preview of the NCAA Championships. The NWCA ranks this year's lineup as one of the best of all time with a pair of NCAA champions and six preseason No. 1-ranked wrestlers slated to participate.
After capturing a Big Ten Conference 141-pound title and NCAA All-America honors as a freshman, Churella continued his success last season at the higher weight class, registering a career-best and team-leading 31 wins en route to an NCAA finalist distinction. A two-time Wolverine captain, Churella enters his final collegiate season with a95-14 career record. His father, Mark Churella, was a three-time All-Star participant, defeating legendary Dave Schultz of Oklahoma State 12-6 in 1978 and pinning Missouri's Dave Miller in 49 seconds in 1979.
Tannenbaum will make his second trip at the All-Star classic, adding to his 2005 appearance at which he upset top-ranked, defending NCAA champion Zack Esposito 7-3 in the 149-pound match. Tannenbaum is a three-time All-American, earning two citations at 149 before jumping two weight classes and claimingfourth place last season at 165 pounds. He is a member of Michigan's prestigious 100-Win Club with a career mark of 108-21 and, like Churella, is a two-time U-M team captain.
The Wolverines will open the preliminary portion of their 2007-08 campaign this weekend, sending a majority of the roster to compete unattached at the EMU Open on Saturday (Nov. 3) at Bowen Field House in Ypsilanti, Mich.
NWCA Site
Contact: Leah Howard (734) 763-4423
Players Mentioned
