Michigan
Penn State
Churella, Wagner Help Michigan Pin Down Penn State
1/14/2005 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- Senior/juniors Ryan Churella (Northville, Mich./Novi HS) and Greg Wagner (Fort Wayne, Ind./Snider HS) registered falls to lead the No. 4-ranked University of Michigan wrestling team to a 31-9 victory over No. 15 Penn State on Friday (Jan. 14) in front of 1,926 fans at Crisler Arena. After forfeiting the opening weight class, the Wolverines (6-1, 1-0 Big Ten) won eight of the remaining bouts to claim victory in their Big Ten Conference opener.
Junior/sophomore Mark Moos (Lorain, Ohio/St. Edwards HS) started the U-M comeback with a narrow 8-7 decision over 19th-ranked Bryan Heller at 133 pounds. Moos built the early advantage with a takedown and two reversals -- including one with 30 seconds remaining in the second period -- and, despite giving up four points in the third frame, held on for the victory.
Sophomore/freshman Josh Churella (Northville, Mich./Novi HS) knotted up the team score at six points apiece, using a strong third period to register a 6-2 decision over 13th-ranked DeWitt Driscoll at 141 pounds. The bout score was an even 2-2 entering the final frame behind a first-period takedown by Driscoll and a pair of U-M escapes. Starting the period in the top position, Churella converted a high leg turk midway through the frame to turn the Nittany Lion for three back points. Churella added a point for riding time to improve his season record to a perfect 6-0.
Sophomore/freshman Eric Tannenbaum (Naperville, Ill./North HS) dominated early in his 149-pound match against the Nittany Lions' Jack Decker, scoring three first-period takedowns and a reversal midway through the second frame to build a commanding advantage. Decker stayed strong on top through the much of the second and third periods, earning 1:22 in riding time, but Tannenbaum hung on to collect the 8-5 decision and give the Wolverines the lead for good, 9-6.
Fifth-year senior captain Ryan Bertin (Broadview Heights, Ohio/St. Edward HS) set the tone early in his 157-pound match against Jarrad Turner, scoring a pair of takedowns and three back points to lead 7-1 after the first period. Bertin followed with another two takedowns and a third-period reversal en route to a 15-7 major decision.
Ryan Churella maintained the Wolverines' momentum after the halftime intermission, extending his winning streak to 16 consecutive matches with his fourth fall of the season at 165 pounds. Churella dominated the Nittany Lions' Steven Troup throughout the bout, recording a pair of takedowns and nine back points to build a 14-0 advantage before using a half nelson to stick Troup at the 5:47 mark.
In a close match at 174 pounds, junior/sophomore Nick Roy (Wall, N.J./Wall HS) sealed his victory over James Yonushonis with a takedown -- his second of the contest -- midway through the final frame. The Wolverine held Yonushonis to just three escapes to register a 5-3 decision.
After giving up a decision at 184 pounds, the Wolverines capped the victory with back-to-back wins at 197 pounds and heavyweight. Senior/junior Willie Breyer (Oxford, Mich./Oxford HS) took immediate control against the Nittany Lions' 12th-ranked Philip Davis, scoring an early takedown and accumulating more than 2:30 in riding time in the first period. Breyer added another takedown in the second frame en route to a 5-2 decision. Wagner ended the contest early, scoring a quick first-period takedown before using a high leg turk to maneuver C.J. Wonsettler to his back to earn the fall at 1:45 for his 17th straight win.
The Maize and Blue will compete in its second dual-meet tournament of the season at the prestigious Cliff Keen/NWCA National Duals on Saturday and Sunday (Jan. 22-23) in Cleveland, Ohio. U-M will be one of 16 teams competing in the Division I field. Hosted by Cleveland State University, all matches will be held at the CSU Convocation Center.
#4 Michigan 31, #15 Penn State 9
(Individual rankings from Amateur Wrestling News)
| 125 -- Adam Smith (PSU) won by forfeit | PSU, 6-0 |
| 133 -- #12 Mark Moos (U-M) dec. #19 Bryan Heller, 8-7 | PSU, 6-3 |
| 141 -- #8 Josh Churella (U-M) dec. #13 DeWitt Driscoll, 6-2 | Tie, 6-6 |
| 149 -- #7 Eric Tannenbaum (U-M) dec. Jack Decker, 8-5 | U-M, 9-6 |
| 157 -- #4 Ryan Bertin (U-M) major dec. Jarrad Turner, 15-7 | U-M, 13-6 |
| 165 -- #2 Ryan Churella (U-M) pinned Steven Troup, 5:47 | U-M, 19-6 |
| 174 -- #11 Nick Roy (U-M) dec. James Yonushonis, 5-3 | U-M, 21-6 |
| 184 -- #6 Eric Bradley (PSU) dec. Joshua Weitzel, 8-3 | U-M, 21-9 |
| 197 -- Willie Breyer (U-M) dec. #12 Phil Davis, 5-2 | U-M, 25-9 |
| Hwt -- #3 Greg Wagner (U-M) pinned C.J. Wonsettler, 1:45 | U-M, 31-9 |
Contact: Leah Howard (734) 763-4423
Players Mentioned
