Michigan
Michigan State Open
Michigan's Moos, Churella Capture Titles at MSU Open
11/9/2003 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- Competing unattached in the final tuneup prior to the official start of the 2003-04 season, a pair of University of Michigan wrestlers captured individual titles at the Michigan State Open, held Saturday and Sunday (Nov. 8-9) at Jenison Field House. Seven Wolverines earned top-eight finishes in their respective weights against a field of more than 400 wrestlers from 28 schools, including several Big Ten rivals.
Sophomore/freshman Mark Moos (Lorain, Mich./St. Edward HS) dominated the opposition over two days of competition, scoring three falls and a pair of major decisions to capture the 125-pound title. Squaring off against Pittsburgh's Drew Headlee in the final bout, Moos never slowed down, scoring points from all positions to win 11-2.
Freshman Josh Churella (Northville, Mich./Novi HS) made a strong collegiate debut by recording a perfect 5-0 mark en route to winning the 133-pound title and earning Outstanding Wrestler of the Tournament distinction. Churella defeated former Michigan wrestler A.J. Grant, a two-time All-American, 3-2 in the championship match. After being taken down in the second period, Churella was quick to respond, collecting an escape and immediate takedown to take the lead. Battling through an active third period, Churella held Grant without a point and hung on for the victory.
Fifth-year senior captain Pat Owen (Polson, Mont./Polson HS) advanced into the 165-pound final with impressive victories in his first four matches, including two falls in the first period. Owen suffered his only defeat of the tournament in the championship match, a 4-2 overtime loss to Central Michigan's David Bolyard. Two reversals in the second frame knotted the score at two apiece, and after Owen rode the Chippewa for the entire third period, the bout went into overtime. Bolyard broke the tie and claimed the victory with a takedown in the extra frame.
Junior/sophomore Greg Wagner (Fort Wayne, Ind./Snider HS) was the runner-up at heavyweight, advancing into the final with four victories and a pair of falls. After falling behind early against Ohio State's Tommy Rowlands, Wagner was unable to rebound and lost 10-3.
The Wolverines return to the mat next Sunday (Nov. 16) for the annual Maize and Blue Intrasquad to determine the starting lineup. Preliminary matches are slated to begin at noon with the finals starting at 4 p.m. at Cliff Keen Arena.
Michigan Results
125 - Mark Moos
First Round - Bye
Second Round - major dec. Caleb Metcalf (Ohio), 14-1
Third Round - pinned Landon Foy (Northern Illinois), 3:37
Quarterfinals - pinned John Velez (Northwestern), 0:31
Semifinals - pinned Kyle Stoffer (Central Michigan), 4:29
Final - major dec. Drew Headlee (Pittsburgh), 11-2
Finished as 125-pound champion with a 5-0 record
125 - Jim Shutich
First Round - Bye
Second Round - dec. Delorenzo (Columbia), 3-0
Third Round - dec. by Tom Clum (Wisconsin), 6-1
Consolations - dec. Ray Sabin (Kent State), 3-1
Consolations - dec. by Luke Smith (Central Michigan), 3-1
Finished with a 2-2 record
125 - Shaun Newton
First Round - dec. by Dave Aranda (Northern Illinois), 7-5
Consolations - dec. by Vince Gervais (Grand Valley State), 3-1
Finished with a 0-2 record
133 - Josh Churella
First Round - Bye
Second Round - pinned Gralan Early (Northern Illinois), 4:59
Third Round - dec. Daniel Quintela (Northwestern), 7-2
Quarterfinals - dec. Patrick Castillo (Northern Illinois), 7-1
Semifinals - dec. Pat Dowty (Eastern Illinois), 6-0
Final - dec. A.J. Grant (unattached), 3-2
Finished as 133-pound champion with a 5-0 record
141 - Brad Cusumano
First Round - pinned by Ahmad Joumaa (Eastern Michigan), 5:35
Consolations - dec. John Hughes (Michigan State), 9-6
Consolations - pinned by Roberts (SUNY-Brockport), 3:02
Finished with a 1-2 record
141 - J.R. Muldoon
First Round - dec. by Ryan Froese (Michigan State), 5-3
Consolations - dec. by Keith Skrabis (Central Michigan)
Finished with a 0-2 record
149 - Eric Tannenbaum
First Round - Bye
Second Round - major dec. Justin May (Indiana), 12-1
Third Round - major dec. Ryan Derr (Ohio State), 8-0
Quarterfinals - dec. Darren McKnight (Michigan State), 3-2
Semifinals - dec. by Josh Wooten (Northern Illinois), 5-3
Consolations - dec. Antonio Guerra (Findlay), 5-2
Third Place - dec. Darren McKnight (Michigan State), 6-0
Finished in 3rd place with a 5-1 record
149 - Jeff Marsh
First Round - dec. by Ryan Needle (Ohio State), 5-3
Consolations - dec. Justin May (Indiana), 7-1
Consolations - dec. Aaron Owen (Northern Illinois), 9-2
Consolations - pinned Mike Allen (Ohio), 4:56
Consolations - dec. by Henning (unattached), 6-5
Finished with a 3-2 record
165 - Pat Owen
First Round - Bye
Second Round - pinned Nico Van Wygarrdt (North Idaho College), 0:24
Third Round - pinned Bryan Harney (Michigan State), 1:31
Quarterfinals - major dec. Matt Veach (Eastern Illinois), 12-0
Semifinals - dec. Tim Foley (Virginia), 8-7
Final - dec. by David Bolyard (Central Michigan), 4-2 OT
Finished in 2nd place with a 4-1 record
174 - David Felger
First Round - Bye
Second Round - dec. Kyle Frawley (North Idaho), 6-3
Third Round - dec. by Ralph DeNisco (Wisconsin), 4-3
Consolations - dec. Todd Miller (Olivet), 3-2
Consolations - dec. by Nathaniel Augustson (Ohio State), 5-2
Finished with a 2-2 record
174 - Nick Roy
First Round - dec. by Ken Robertson (Eastern Illinois), 14-12
Consolations - dec. Eli Borton (Central Michigan), 7-1
Consolations - won by forfeit
Consolations - major dec. Vinny DiGiovanni (Ohio), 10-2
Consolations - dec. by Ed Willis (Ohio), 7-5
Finished with a 3-2 record
184 - Steve Heleniak
First Round - Bye
Second Round - dec. Tyler Bruesewitz (Northern Illinois), 8-7
Third Round - dec. Blair Alderman (North Idaho), 6-5
Quarterfinals - major dec. by Blake Kaplan (Ohio State), 13-3
Consolations - dec. by Justin Curran (Indiana), 3-1
Consolations - pinned by Ryan Flaherty (Wisconsin), 0:25
Seventh Place - pinned by Wynn Michalak (Central Michigan), 5:54
Finished in 8th place with a 3-3 record
197 - Willie Breyer
First Round - Bye
Second Round - pinned Darrin McCall (Grand Valley State), 3:35
Third Round - dec. Tom Treadway (Central Michigan), 5-3
Quarterfinals - dec. Joe Yager (Central Michigan), 9-3
Semifinals - pinned by J.D. Bergman (Ohio State), 5:46
Consolations - dec. by Alex Lammers (Central Michigan), 5-1
Fifth Place - dec. Bryan Morgan (Eastern Illinois)
Finished in 5th place with a 4-2 record
Hwt - Greg Wagner
First Round - Bye
Second Round - dec. Michael Poppe (Findlay), 2-0
Third Round - pinned Duncan Iannucci (SUNY-Brockport), 3:51
Quarterfinals - pinned Silva (Northern Illinois), 5:17
Semifinals - dec. Davis (Northern Illinois), 9-7
Final - dec. by Tommy Rowlands (Ohio State), 10-3
Finished in 2nd place with a 4-1 record
Hwt - Tony Grygorzyk
First Round - dec. by Davis (Northern Illinois), 4-0
Consolations - pinned Bart Seeman (Columbia), 2:28
Consolations - dec. Dave Herman (Indiana), 6-3
Consolations - dec. by Joe Chose (Wisconsin), 3-2 OT
Finished with a 2-2 record
Hwt - Jon Mendis
First Round - Bye
Second Round - tech. fall by Tommy Rowlands (Ohio State), 18-2; 2:03
Consolations - dec. by Zach Mantle (Eastern Illinois), 8-4
Finished with a 0-2 record
Contact: Leah Howard (734) 763-4423
Players Mentioned
