Michigan
Cleveland State
Michigan Pins Loss on Cleveland State in Home Opener
12/10/2004 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Five Wolverines registered falls as the No. 6-ranked University of Michigan wrestling team rallied from an early deficit to cruise to a 40-9 victory over Cleveland State in its home opener Friday (Dec. 10) in front of 834 fans at Cliff Keen Arena. After forfeiting the opening weight, the Wolverines recorded wins in eight of the remaining nine bouts -- every other match by fall -- to even their season record at 1-1.
With the Wolverines trailing early with a forfeit at 125 pounds, freshman Craig Gillison (Arcadia, Mich./Benzie Central HS) swung the momentum back into Michigan's favor, neutralizing the score at 6-6 after securing a first-period fall over Cleveland State's Matt Shultz at 133 pounds. The Wolverine freshman gained control early with a quick takedown and immediately locked in the bow-and-arrow cradle to maneuver Shultz to his back. Gillison had to work toward the fall, tallying near-fall points before throwing his weight over Shultz to stick the Viking at the 1:26 mark and earn his first dual victory in his first appearance at Cliff Keen Arena.
Fifth-year senior Jeremiah Tobias (Manchester, Mich./Manchester HS) inched closer to the Wolverines' career falls record, recording his 51st pin in a Maize and Blue singlet to extend U-M's advantage at 149 pounds. Squaring off against Cleveland State's Ryan Hurley in his dual-meet season debut, Tobias scored on his first shot just 15 seconds into the opening frame and rode the Viking wrestler to the edge of the mat. In a flurry situation, the Wolverine turned Hurley and was nearly put on his own back but rolled through to stick the Viking at 0:33. Tobias needs just three more falls to equal the U-M career record, currently held by two-time All-American Jeff Catrabone (55, 1994-98).
Senior/junior captain Ryan Churella (Northville, Mich./Novi HS), who led the Wolverines with 11 falls last season, continued the Wolverines' momentum at 165 pounds following the halftime intermission, adding six more points to Michigan's team score with a fall at 6:22 against David Gilkey at 165 pounds. Churella had already secured the technical fall late in the third period before collecting the pin, accumulating five takedowns and six back points through the first six minutes.
Sophomore Joshua Weitzel (Lincoln University, Pa./Oxford HS) also ended his match early, pinning Ron Howard at the 2:22 mark for his fourth fall of the season. After gaining control early in the match with a quick takedown, Weitzel capitalized on a scramble situation along the edge of the mat late in the frame to apply the half and roll Howard to his back.
Senior/junior heavyweight Greg Wagner (Fort Wayne, Ind./Snider HS) earned Michigan its fifth fall in the final bout of the contest, pinning Joe Dennis at 4:29 after a scoreless first period. Dennis registered the first point of bout with an escape early in the second frame after starting the period in the down position, but Wagner responded just moments later by taking the Viking wrestler down straight to his back and using a leg turk to improve his season record to a perfect 12-0.
Sophomore/freshman Josh Churella (Northville, Mich./Novi HS) made his season and collegiate varsity debut with a 4-1 victory over the Vikings' Mike Hurley to put the Wolverines ahead for good after the 141-pound match. Churella scored the only points he would need with a takedown midway through the first period and added an escape and 3:09 in riding time to win in his first appearance at Cliff Keen Arena.
Fifth-year senior captain Ryan Bertin (Broadview Heights, Ohio/St. Edwards HS) and junior/sophomore Nick Roy (Wall, N.J./Wall HS) also earned individual victories for Michigan as Bertin recorded a 14-4 major decision over Marcus Effner at 157 pounds and Roy defeated Matt Klinger 5-2 in the 174-pound match. Bertin boasted six takedowns and accumulated 3:57 in riding time while holding Effner to just four escapes. Roy struck early and never trailed, recording takedowns in the first and third periods and allowing just a pair of escapes.
The Wolverines will take a two-week hiatus for the holidays before returning to the mat on Sunday, Jan. 2, against intrastate rival Central Michigan. The non-conference dual meet is slated for 2 p.m. at Cliff Keen Arena.
#6 Michigan 40, Cleveland State 9
(Individual rankings from Amateur Wrestling News)
| 125 -- Joe Wornuff (CSU) won by forfeit | CSU, 6-0 |
| 133 -- Craig Gillison (U-M) pinned Matt Shultz, 1:26 | Tie, 6-6 |
| 141 -- Josh Churella (U-M) dec. Mike Hurley, 4-1 | U-M, 9-6 |
| 149 -- Jeremiah Tobias (U-M) pinned Ryan Hurley, 0:33 | U-M, 15-6 |
| 157 -- #3 Ryan Bertin (U-M) major dec. Marcus Effner, 14-4 | U-M, 19-6 |
| 165 -- #4 Ryan Churella (U-M) pinned David Gilkey, 6:22 | U-M, 25-6 |
| 174 -- #11 Nick Roy (U-M) dec. Matt Klinger, 5-2 | U-M, 28-6 |
| 184 -- Joshua Weitzel (U-M) pinned Ron Howard, 2:22 | U-M, 34-6 |
| 197 -- Joe Phillips (CSU) dec. Steve Heleniak, 9-5 | U-M, 34-9 |
| Hwt -- #3 Greg Wagner (U-M) pinned Joe Dennis, 4:29 | U-M, 40-9 |
Contact: Leah Howard (734) 763-4423
Players Mentioned
