Weekly Release #1
11/19/2003 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Upcoming Schedule
Sunday, Nov. 23 -- vs. Central Michigan (Cliff Keen Arena), 1 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 23 -- vs. Lehigh (Cliff Keen Arena), 5 p.m.
Fri-Sat., Dec. 5-6 -- at Cliff Keen Invitational (Las Vegas, Nev.)
Sunday, Dec. 14 -- vs. Eastern Michigan (Cliff Keen Arena), 1 p.m.
Wolverines Open Season with Showdown at Home
The No. 6-ranked University of Michigan wrestling team kicks off the 2003-04 season with a home tri-meet against No. 18 Central Michigan and No. 2 Lehigh on Sunday (Nov. 16). Michigan will wrestle Central Michigan at 1 p.m. and square off against Lehigh at 5 p.m., while the Chippewas and Mountain Hawks wrestle each other at 3 p.m. All meets will be held at Cliff Keen Arena.
U-M Wrestling Live on the Internet
All Wolverine wrestling home duals will be aired via webcast in conjunction with realtimescorebook.com and NCWA wrestling. Each home meet will be available free of charge. For more information, refer to the Real Time Scorebook website.
The Series vs. Central Michigan
Michigan leads the all-time series by a 15-2 margin, dating back to the 1981-82 season, and owns a three-meet winning streak. At Cliff Keen Arena, the Wolverines boast a near-perfect 8-1 record. Michigan head coach Joe McFarland owns a 3-1 record against the Chippewas.
Last Meeting vs. Central Michigan
Central Michigan dealt the Wolverines their first loss last season, collecting a 19-13 victory on Jan. 5 in Mount Pleasant, Mich. After U-M fell behind early in the meet, fifth-year senior Kyle Smith keyed a Michigan rally as the Wolverines won four consecutive matches to knot the score at 13 points apiece. Central Michigan responded, however, and sealed the team victory by winning the last two bouts.
About the Chippewas
With the No. 18 preseason ranking and eight Chippewas wrestlers ranked among the top 20 at their respective weights, Central Michigan is looking to improve on its 32nd-place finish at last season's NCAA Championships. CMU had one individual champion at the Michigan State Open (Nov. 8-9) -- David Bolyard at 165 pounds -- and boasted nine other wrestlers placing among the top four. Head coach Tom Borrelli is in his 13th season at Central Michigan and owns a 130-69-5 career record with the Chippewas. Against Michigan, Borrelli is 2-6. Central Michigan on the Internet: www.cmuchippewas.com.
The Series vs. Lehigh
Michigan leads the all-time series with Lehigh 20-9, dating back to 1936. The Wolverines have been the dominant team in recent years, boasting a seven-meet winning streak. At home in Cliff Keen Arena, Michigan has a 9-3 record. Michigan head coach Joe McFarland owns a perfect 5-0 record against the Mountain Hawks since taking the helm of the Wolverine squad.
Last Meeting vs. Lehigh
Wrestling in front of a sold-out crowd in the final dual meet held at the original Grace Hall, the Wolverines handed Lehigh a 26-12 defeat on Nov. 22 in their 2002-03 season opener. Michigan won the first six bouts, including a fall by Jeremiah Tobias (Manchester, Mich./Manchester HS) at 149 pounds and major decisions by A.J. Grant (125) and Ryan Bertin (157), to build a commanding 23-0 lead. Lehigh responded with three consecutive wins, but fifth-year senior captain Kyle Smith capped the Wolverine victory by defeating top-ranked Jon Trenge 6-4 in the final bout at 197 pounds.
About the Mountain Hawks
After capturing fourth place at last season's NCAA Championships, Lehigh returns four All-Americans and eight NCAA qualifiers to this year's lineup. The Mountain Hawks hold the No. 2 preseason ranking, the highest in school history, and boast eight individually-ranked wrestlers, including Troy Letters, the top-ranked wrestler at 165 pounds. Lehigh suffered a 23-18 loss in its season opener against Iowa State (Nov. 14) and heads into this weekend's tri-meet with a 0-1 record. In his ninth season at Lehigh, head coach Greg Strobel owns a 107-47 career record and is 2-8 against the Wolverines. Lehigh on the Internet: www.lehighsports.com
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 | Nick Roy | So./Fr. |
| 184 | Josh Weitzel | Fr./Fr. |
| 197 | Chase Verdoorn | So./Fr. |
| Hwt | Greg Wagner | Jr./So. |
Marquee Matches
#13 Clark Foward (141 Pounds) vs. #4 Jason Mester (Central Michigan)
While Michigan's Clark Forward faces two ranked opponents this weekend, Central Michigan's Jason Mester, ranked fourth by Amateur Wrestling News, looks to be the toughest challenge. In the last meeting between the intrastate rivals, Mester shut out Forward 6-0 in Mount Pleasant, Mich., helping Central Michigan rally to defeat the visiting Wolverines. Foward has already looked very tough in his senior season, capturing the 141-pound title at the Eastern Michigan Open (Nov. 2) with a perfect 4-0 mark. Mester lost to Virginia's Scott Moore 6-4 in the 141-pound final at the Michigan State Open (Nov. 8-9) to finish with a 4-1 record.
#1 Ryan Bertin (157 Pounds) vs. #4 Derek Zinck (Lehigh)
Michigan's Ryan Bertin enters the 2003-04 season as the reigning NCAA champion and the top-ranked wrestler at 157 pounds. Making his season debut this weekend, he will receive tough competition and an early test when he faces Lehigh's fourth-ranked Derek Zinck in only his second match. Bertin holds a 1-0 advantage in matches against Zinck, defeating the Mountain Hawk in a 12-4 major decision in last season's dual meet at Grace Hall. In his first match of the season, Zinck suffered a 6-1 loss to Travis Paulson of Iowa State in Lehigh's home opener.
#16 Pat Owen (165 Pounds) vs. #1 Troy Letters (Lehigh)
Michigan's Pat Owen recorded three falls in his final five regular-season duals last year before moving up to 174 pounds and qualifying for the NCAA Championships. Starting this season back at his natural weight, Owen looks to prove himself as one the nation's top collegiate wrestlers. He will face perhaps his most difficult challenge very early in the season, squaring off against Lehigh's top-ranked Troy Letters, last season's runner-up at 165 pounds. In last season's dual meet between the two teams, Letters won a close 5-2 decision. Owen claimed second place at the Michigan State Open (Nov. 8-9) with a 4-1 record. He lost 4-2 in overtime to Central Michigan's David Bolyard in the final bout. Letters is off to a strong start in 2003-04, earning a fall over Iowa State's Grant Turner (Nov. 14) in his only appearance of the season.
Maize and Blue Intrasquad
The Wolverines held their annual intrasquad meet at Cliff Keen Arena on Nov. 16 to determine the starting lineup for the 2003-04 season. The final round was held in a best-of-three format.
Intrasquad Final-Round Results
| Wgt. | Result |
| 125 | Mark Moos tech. fall Jim Shutich, 18-2 (6:50) Moos major dec. Shutich, 15-4 |
| 133 | Josh Churella dec. Chase Metcalf, 6-3 Churella major dec. Metcalf, 13-1 |
| 141 | Clark Forward dec. Jeremiah Tobias, 13-8 Forward dec. Tobias, 10-5 |
| 149 | Ryan Churella major dec. Eric Tannenbaum, 8-0 Churella major dec. Tannenbaum, 8-0 |
| 157 | Ryan Bertin tech. fall Hassen Berri, 19-3 (3:24) Bertin tech. fall Berri, 20-4 (5:19) |
| 165 | Pat Owen pinned Omar Maktabi, 2:15 Owen pinned Maktabi, 1:03 |
| 174 | Nick Roy dec. Steve Sentes, 6-4 Roy dec. Sentes, 10-4 |
| 184 | Joshua Weitzel major dec. Steve Heleniak, 13-5 Weitzel wins by forfeit |
| 197 | Chase Verdoorn dec. Willie Breyer, 8-4 Verdoorn dec. Breyer, 5-3 |
| Hwt | Greg Wagner dec. Tony Grygorzyk, 6-1 Wagner dec. Grygorzyk, 7-1 |
Wolverines Look Strong in Preseason Tournaments
Three Michigan wrestlers were crowned champions at the Eastern Michigan Open (Nov. 1) as 10 Wolverines placed within the top six at their respective weights. Fifth-year senior Clark Forward (141 pounds), junior/sophomore Ryan Churella (149) and junior/sophomore Greg Wagner (Hwt) all posted perfect marks en route to individual titles. Freshmen Eric Tannenbaum (149) and Joshua Weitzel (184) also advanced to the final bout but fell one win shy of capturing the title.
Michigan wrestling boasted another pair of individual champions at the Michigan State Open (Nov. 8-9) as sophomore/freshman Mark Moos and freshman Josh Churella captured titles at 125 and 133 pounds, respectively. Moos dominated every opponent he faced, collecting three falls and two major decisions, including an 11-2 victory over Pittsburgh's Drew Headlee in the final. Churella also posted a perfect 5-0 mark in the tournament and was named Outstanding Wrestler after earning a 3-2 victory over former Wolverine and two-time All-American A.J. Grant in the final bout. Fifth-year senior captain Pat Owen (165) and Greg Wagner (Hwt) both finished second at their weights. Non-Conference Home Sweet Home
Big Ten Weekly Honors
Junior/sophomore Ryan Churella and sophomore/freshman Mark Moos were named the first two Big Ten Conference Wrestlers of the Week for the 2003-04 season after capturing titles at the Eastern Michigan and Michigan State Open tournaments. It is the first career weekly honor for both wrestlers. Last season, three Michigan wrestlers -- Kyle Smith, Ryan Bertin and Pat Owen -- earned weekly recoginition from the Big Ten after standout performances.
(Tri)-Captain Courageous
Fifth-year seniors Foley Dowd and Pat Owen and senior/junior Ryan Bertin were named wrestling tri-captains for the 2003-04 season. It is the eighth time in Michigan wrestling history that three individuals will share the distinction. Dowd is a three-year starter at 133 pounds for the Maize and Blue and qualified for the NCAA Championships in 2002. Owen and Bertin are each two-year starters -- Owen at 157 and 165 pounds and Bertin at 157 pounds. Owen is a two-time NCAA qualfier while Bertin is the reigning 157-pound champion and a two-time All-American.
Nearing the Century Mark
With 83 career victories, a pair of Wolverines have the 100-win milestone within their sights. Senior/junior Ryan Bertin (83-16) and fifth-year senior Foley Dowd (83-27) are both 17 wins shy of reaching the prestigious distinction of joining U-M's 100-Win Club. 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.
During head coach Joe McFarland's tenure at Michigan, the Wolverines have posted an impressive 25-7-1 (.773) record against non-conference opponents. Last season, Michigan was 5-4 in non-conference competition.
Since moving into Cliff Keen Arena in 1989, Michigan owns a record of 68-23-9 in home dual meets. The Wolverines have posted perfect records inside Cliff Keen Arena in each of the last three seasons and currently boast a 18-meet winning streak in their home venue. Michigan's last loss at home was on Jan. 25, 2002 against top-ranked Minnesota, a meet held at Crisler Arena. In their first home dual meet of the season, the Wolverines are 64-14-3 overall and 12-2 in home openers at Cliff Keen Arena.
Starting Things with a Bang
Through 82 years of U-M wrestling history, Michigan has posted a 52-25-2 record in its first dual meet of the season, and currently boasts a seven-meet winning streak in the season opener. When the Wolverines open the season at home, they have had a 27-6-1 mark. Last year, the Wolverines kicked off the 2002-03 season with a 26-12 victory over Lehigh on the road.
Strength of Schedule
Michigan faces a tough field of competitors again this season, with 10 of the Wolverines' 15 dual meet opponents ranked among the top 25 teams in the National Wrestling Coaches Association's preseason poll, including four of the top five ranked teams. No. 2 Lehigh leads the pack of ranked opponents, which also includes No. 3 Iowa, No. 4 Illinois, No. 5 Minnesota, No. 9 Penn State, No. 14 Ohio State, No. 15 Oklahoma, No. 17 Pennsylvania, No. 18 Central Michigan and No. 19 Wisconsin.
A Look at the Polls
The Wolverines will begin the 2003-04 season with the sixth-place team ranking in the National Wrestling Coaches Association's preseason poll. Michigan also boasts eight individuals ranked among the top 20 wrestlers in their respective weight classes in the InterMat or Amateur Wrestling News polls. Senior/junior Ryan Bertin leads the pack with the No. 1 preseason ranking in both polls at 157 pounds. Joining Bertin in the top 10 are fifth-year senior Foley Dowd, ranked fifth in both polls at 133 pounds, junior/sophomore Ryan Churella, ranked sixth by InterMat and seventh by Amateur Wrestling News at 149 pounds, and junior/sophomore heavyweight Greg Wagner, who is sixth in both polls.
Strong on Top
Starting off the 2003-04 season with the No. 1 ranking at 157 pounds, senior/junior Ryan Bertin is the first Michigan wrestler to hold the highest spot at his weight since the 2001-02 season when Otto Olson and Andy Hrovat were ranked No. 1 at 174 and 184 pounds, respectively. Olson held the position for nine weeks, while Hrovat remained on top for six weeks.
NWCA Division I Team Rankings (11/5/03)
RANK, TEAM POINTS 1. Oklahoma State (11) 275 2. Lehigh 257 3. Iowa 251 4. Illinois 245 5. Minnesota 232 6. MICHIGAN 225 7. Cornell 196 8. Nebraska 189 9. Penn State 174 10. Hofstra 159 Missouri 159 12. Iowa State 145 13. Northern Iowa 140 14. Ohio State 138 15. Oklahoma 131 16. West Virginia 126 17. Pennsylvania 113 18. Central Michigan 89 19. Purdue 58 Wisconsin 58 21. Edinboro 45 22. Arizona State 42 23. Boise State 38 24. Fresno State 32 25. North Carolina 21
Individual Rankings by InterMat and Amateur Wrestling News
| Wgt. | Wrestler | InterMat | AWN |
| 125 | Mark Moos | 8th | NR |
| 133 | Foley Dowd | 5th | 5th |
| 141 | Clark Forward | 15th | 13th |
| 149 | Ryan Churella | 6th | 7th |
| 157 | Ryan Bertin | 1st | 1st |
| 165 | Pat Owen | NR | 16th |
| 197 | Chase Verdoorn | 17th | NR |
| Hwt | Greg Wagner | 6th | 6th |
On the Horizon
The Wolverines will take a two-week break before hitting the mat for the annual Cliff Keen Invitational on Friday and Saturday, Dec. 5-6, in Las Vegas, Nev.
Contact: Leah Howard (734) 763-4423
Players Mentioned
