Michigan Grapplers in Sixth Place at the Big Ten Championships

Saturday, March 4

West Lafayette, Ind.

7:00 PM

Michigan

Big Ten Session II

Michigan Grapplers in Sixth Place at the Big Ten Championships

3/4/2000 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. -- The second session of the Big Ten Championships in West Lafayette, Ind. wasn't kind to the eighth-ranked Michigan wrestling team, with all four of the semifinalist losing. Despite the upper bracket defeats, the Wolverines prevailed with unseeded hero's A.J. Grant (Clarkston, Mich./Clarkston HS) and Charles Martelli (Naperville, Ill./Naperville North HS), and No. 4 Matt Brink (Muskegon, Mich./Fruitport HS) recording victories in the consolation rounds to keep the team in the hunt at sixth place (41.00 points). Michigan trails Northwestern for fifth place by just one point heading into Sunday's action.

Grant upset No. 4 Jason Silverstein in the 125-pound consolation rounds, scoring a takedown in overtime for a 5-3 victory. The triumph qualified Grant for the NCAA Championships because he can now finish no worse than six place - top seven in each weight class go on to the NCAA meet. He will face Minnesota's Leroy Vega, seeded third, in the consolation semifinal during session III on Sunday.

The true freshman Grant was in awe with his second win at the championships. "Midway through the season I was ready to pack it in and start thinking about next year, but now next year will have to wait."

Equally important for the Maize and Blue were Martelli's efforts at 174 as he defeated No. 5-seeded Will Hill of Michigan State, 6-5. "It's an awesome feeling," said Martelli. "I wasn't suppose to even be here and now I'll be competing on Sunday. I give all the credit to my coaches. The feeling is a little bittersweet because I'm going for third place instead of first, but none the less it feels great."

Losing in the semifinals were Joe Warren (Grand Rapids, Mich./E. Kentwood HS) at 133, Damion Logan (Garfield, N.J./St. Joseph Regional HS) at 141, Mike Kulczycki (North Royalton, Ohio/St. Edwards HS) at 149 and Andy Hrovat (Cleveland, Ohio/St. Edwards HS) at 184. They will all have a chance at redemption competing in the consolation semifinals tomorrow for a chance at third place.

"I'm real disappointed right now, but I now I still have a chance for third place tomorrow," said Kulczycki. "The team can still come in fourth if we win in the consolations. I just have to stay focused and concentrate on my next opponent."

Coming up huge for the Wolverines was heavyweight Matt Brink, who earned the team two extra points by pinning No. 8 Josh Saul of Northwestern. Brink will face off with Illinois' John Lockhart, seeded third, for a spot in the consolation final.

The Maize and Blue will compete Sunday at 11 a.m. for the consolation matches in the third and fourth sessions of the Big Ten tournament.

Team Results After Day 1

 1. Iowa 116.00 2. Minnesota 109.00 3. Illinois 72.00 4. Michigan State 66.00 5. Northwestern 42.00 6. Michigan 41.00 7. Ohio State 40.00 8. Penn State 36.50 9. Wisconsin 31.00 10. Indiana 30.00 11. Purdue 14.50

Michigan Competitors

A.J. Grant (125)
First Round - pinned by #2 Jody Strittmatter (Iowa), :58
Consolations - dec. #8 Chris Williams (Michigan State), 12-7
Consolations - dec. #4 Jason Silverstein (Purdue), 5-3 (OT)

#3 Joe Warren (133)
First Round - Bye
Quarterfinals - pinned #6 Evan Robinson (Purdue), 3:30
Semifinals - dec. by #2 Pat McNamara (Michigan State), 10-8

#5 Damion Logan (141)
First Round - Bye
Quarterfinals - pinned #7 Jason Betz (Penn State), 1:13
Semifinals - dec. by #1 Scott Schaztman (Northwestern), 4-3

#4 Mike Kulczycki (149)
First Round - Bye
Quarterfinals - dec. #5 Karl Nadolsky (Michigan State), 11-4
Semifinals - dec. by #1 Jared Lawrence (Minnesota), 8-3

Tony Holifield (157)
First Round - fall by #4 Kevin Stanley (Indiana), 2:49
Consolation - major dec. by #6 Corey Wallman, 12-0
Finished with a 0-2 record

#7 Jason Rawls (165)
First Round - Bye
Quarterfinal - dec. by #2 Brad Pike (Minnesota), 8-2
Consolations - dec. by Kirk Moore (Purdue), 4-3
Finished with a 0-2 record

Charles Martelli (174)
First Round - dec. by #7 Joel Walker (Ohio State), 10-5
Consolations - major dec. Mark Becks (Penn State), 15-5
Consolations - dec. #5 Will Hill (Michigan State), 6-5

#2 Andy Hrovat (184)
First Round - Bye
Quarterfinals - major dec. #7 Jared Williams (Purdue), 15-6
Semifinals - dec. by #4 Nate Patrick (Illinois), 4-2

Joe Degain (197)
First Round - dec. by #2 Nick Preston (Ohio State), 7-5
Consolations - dec. by #4 Pat Quirk (Illinois), 4-0
Finished with a 0-2 record

#4 Matt Brink (Hwt)
First Round - Bye
Quarterfinals - dec. by #5 Mark Lamb (Michigan State), 2-1
Consolations - major dec. Mike Dixon (Indiana), 10-1
Consolations - pinned #8 Josh Saul (Northwestern), 4:55