Michigan Defeats Intrastate Rival in First Dual

Friday, December 10

East Lansing, Mich.

7:30 PM

Michigan

Michigan State

12/10/1999 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling

EAST LANSING, Mich. -- In front of a divided crowd of 1,243 in Jenison Fieldhouse, the eight-ranked University of Michigan wrestling team opened up its dual meet season by defeating the ninth-ranked Michigan State Spartans 19-15 on Friday (Dec. 10).

The Wolverines started of strong against their intrastate rivals, jumping out to a 12-0 advantage with three straight wins, starting with Jason Rawls (Harrisburg, Pa./Harrisburg HS), who had an impressive 6-2 decision over seventh-ranked Greg DeGrand of Michigan State at 165 pounds.

Otto Olson (Everett, Wash./Everett HS), ranked No. 1 at 174, followed with a 7-2 decision over fifth-ranked Spartan Will Hill, taking his season record to 15-0. Sophomore 184-pounder Andy Hrovat (Gates Mills, Ohio/St. Edwards HS) made quick work of Michigan State's James Brimm with a pin at 1:16.

The Spartans fought back with three consecutive wins of their own, but that was halted by third-ranked 133-pounder Joe Warren (Grand Rapids, Mich./East Kentwood HS) and sixth-ranked Damion Logan (Garfield, N.J./St. Joseph Regional HS) at 141, who defeated Michigan State's Jason Nausbaum 20-7 and Mike Castillo 5-2, respectively. The two wins gave the Maize and Blue a commanding 19-9 lead.

"I am very excited that our guys fought real hard," said head coach Joe McFarland. "That is what I like to see in our team. Jason Rawls started us off with a huge win and we fought all the way through. It's a big win for our team."

After taking off the next two weeks, the Wolverines will travel to Evanston, Ill., for the Midlands Open on Dec. 29-30.

Michigan 19, Michigan State 15

165 -- Jason Rawls (UM) dec. #7 Greg DeGrand, 6-2	(UM, 3-0)
174 -- #1 Otto Olson (UM) dec. #5 Will Hill, 5-2	(UM, 6-0)
184 -- Andy Hrovat (UM) pinned James Brimm, 1:16	(UM, 12-0)
197 -- #1 Nick Muzashvili (MSU) dec. Joe DeGain, 10-6	(UM, 12-3)
Hwt -- Mark Lamb (MSU) dec. #9 Matt Brink, 3-2	(UM, 12-6)
125 -- #20 Chris Williams (MSU) dec. A.J. Grant, 6-5	(UM, 12-9)
133 -- #4 Joe Warren (UM) major dec. Jason Naubaum, 20-7	(UM, 16-9)
141 -- #6 Damion Logan (UM) dec. Mike Castillo, 5-2	(UM, 19-9)
149 -- Corey Posey (MSU) dec. Dan Seder, 7-6	(UM, 19-12)
157 -- Gray Maynard (MSU) dec. Tony Holifield, 11-6	(UM, 19-15)