Michigan Battles Michigan State to 18-18 Tie

Sunday, January 23

Ann Arbor, Mich.

1:00 PM

Michigan

Michigan State

1/23/2000 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling

ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- A see-saw battle between intrastate rivals Michigan and Michigan State ended in a 18-18 tie on Sunday afternoon (Jan. 23) in front of 1,206 spectators at Cliff Keen Arena. Five of the matches in the tight battle were decided by two points or less.

The Wolverines held an 18-15 advantage going into the final match, which pitted Michigan 165-pounder Jason Rawls (Harrisburg, Pa./Harrisburg HS) against Michigan State's 12th-ranked Greg DeGrand. DeGrand scored a takedown in overtime for the 2-1 decision which forged the final tie score.

"That is how it is in the Big Ten," said Michigan head coach Joe McFarland. "Our conference is so competitive that most of the meets will come down to the last match."

Eighth-ranked Andy Hrovat (Gates Mills, Ohio/St. Edwards HS) continued to dominate at 184 pounds, scoring a fall at 6:39 to take his dual-meet record to a perfect 10-0.

"Going out and getting those extra points is what it takes to make it in the Big Ten," said McFarland. "Hrovat pumped us up after his fall. I like the enthusiasm he brings to the team."

Sixteenth-ranked heavyweight Matt Brink (Muskegon, Mich./Fruitport HS) and 149-pounder Mike Kulczycki (N. Royalton, Ohio/St. Edwards HS) both won their matches by one-point margins. Brink squeezed out a 2-1 decision over State's Mark Lamb and Kulczycki won his fourth straight dual match with a 5-4 decision over Corey Posey.

Other Michigan victories came from 141-pounder Damion Logan (Garfield, N.J./St. Joseph's Regional HS), ranked seventh, and 125-pounder A.J. Grant (Clarkston, Mich./Clarkston HS), who continues to have a solid freshman campaign.

The Wolverines head on the road next week for a pair of Big Ten matches, facing Illinois on Friday (Jan. 28) at 7 p.m. CST in Champaign, Ill., before meeting Purdue on Sunday (Jan. 30) at 1 p.m. at Carroll High School in Fort Wayne, Ind.

Michigan 18, Michigan State 18

174 -- Will Hill (MSU) dec. Charles Martelli, 11-10	(MSU, 3-0)
184 -- #8 Andy Hrovat (UM) pinned James Brimm, 6:39	(UM, 6-3)
197 -- #1 Nick Muzashvili (MSU) major dec. #20 Joe Degain, 14-2	(MSU, 7-6)
Hwt -- #16 Matt Brink (UM) dec. #18 Mark Lamb, 2-1	(UM, 9-7)
125 -- A.J. Grant (UM) dec. Chris Williams, 7-5	(UM, 12-7)
133 -- #3 Pat McNamara (MSU) major dec. Matt Michalski, 8-0	(UM, 12-11)
141 -- #7 Damion Logan (UM) dec. Mike Castillo, 8-5	(UM, 15-11)
149 -- Mike Kulczycki (UM) dec. Corey Posey, 5-4	(UM, 18-11)
157 -- #8 Gray Maynard (MSU) major dec. Tony Holifield, 17-5	(UM, 18-15)
165 -- #12 Greg DeGrand (MSU) dec. Jason Rawls, 3-1 OT (1:42)	(Tie, 18-18)