Michigan
Maize and Blue Intrasquad (ex)
U-M Sets Lineup with Maize and Blue Intrasquad
11/10/2006 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
The 157-pound weight class provided the evening's closest battle as junior/sophomore Jeff Marsh (Dexter, Mich./Dexter HS) and fifth-year senior Rob Sulaver (Dearborn, Mich./Dearborn HS) required a third match to decide the series victor. Marsh held the advantage entering the intrasquad meet after defeating Sulaver 5-4 at the Eastern Michigan Open last Saturday (Nov. 4), but Sulaver used a third-period takedown to claim a 4-3 decision in the second meeting and knot the series at one match apiece.
The Wolverine pair retook the mat at the conclusion of the 10-match card, 45 minutes after their first match of the evening, and Marsh wasted little time before building a substantial lead, using a bear hug midway through the opening frame to take his opponent to his back for a five-point move. Sulaver fought off the pin and rallied with a takedown in each of the remaining periods, but could not overcome the early deficit as Marsh held on for a 8-5 decision.
Two weight classes featured a pair of returning starters vying for a similar role this season. At 125 pounds, fifth-year senior Mark Moos (Lorian, Ohio/St. Edward HS), who wrestled one weight class higher in 2005-06, used four takedowns, including two in the first period, to post a 8-6 decision over last year's 125-pound starter, sophomore Michael Watts (Riverton, Utah/Riverton HS). Watts rallied late in the match, scoring a takedown with 20 seconds remaining, but Moos held on for the win.
Junior/sophomore Tyrel Todd (Bozeman, Mont./Bozeman HS) retained his starting spot at 184 pounds, defeating fifth-year senior Nick Roy (Wall, N.J./Wall HS), a three-year starter at 174 pounds, by a 4-0 margin. After a close and scoreless first period, Todd converted on a single leg to score the only points he would need in the closing seconds of the middle frame.
By the end of the evening, four new faces had secured starting roles, including a pair of U-M rookies in freshmen Chris Diehl (Burton, Mich./Flint Kearsley HS) and Matt Guhn (Clyde, Ohio/Clyde HS), who each swept his respective series at 133 pounds and heavyweight. Diehl used several combinations of headlocks, counters and go-behinds to convert on six takedowns against fellow freshman Mike Sears (Grand Blanc, Mich./Flint Powers Catholic). Three of those takedowns came in the final frame as Diehl racked up the points -- and 3:23 in riding time -- for a 14-4 major decision.
Guhn brought a quick end to his contest against senior/junior Omar Maktabi (Iowa City, Iowa/West HS), using an outside trip to take Maktabi straight to his back and earn the fall at 0:59. Senior/junior Brad Cusumano (Utica, Mich./Utica HS) rounded out the newcomers to the starting lineup with a 10-6 decision over freshman Mark Beaudry (Pueblo, Colo./South HS). Cusamano picked up four takedowns, including three in the first period, and a pair of back points to claim the starting job.
Senior/junior co-captains Josh Churella (Northville, Mich./Novi HS) and Eric Tannenbaum (Naperville, Ill./North HS) and junior/sophomore Steve Luke (Massillon, Ohio/Perry HS), all of whom bumped up one or two weight classes over the summer, cruised to victory in their respective wrestleoffs to claim starting roles at their new spots. In an exhibition contest at 149 pounds, Churella earned a 12-2 major decision over sophomore/freshman 157-pounder Braden L'Amoreaux (Clarkston, Mich./Clarkston HS) on the strength of five takedowns and 3:24 in riding time.
Tannenbaum and Luke won handily at 165 and 174 pounds, respectively, to resume starting roles two weight classes heavier. Tannenbaum scored five takedowns against sophomore/freshman Mike Milano (Rocky River, Ohio/Rocky River HS) and added 3:24 in riding time to earn a 12-2 major decision victory. Luke registered a pair of first-period takedowns and added another in the second en route to a 7-2 decision over freshman Scott Giffin (Berlin, N.J./Eastern Regional HS).
Rounding out the evening's matches at 197 pounds, junior/sophomore Casey White (Commerce, Mich./Walled Lake Central HS) tallied a 9-3 decision against freshman Eddie Phillips (Woodland, Mich./Lakewood HS) behind four takedowns, two of which came in the first period, and 5:11 in riding time.
The Wolverines will send a contingent of unattached competitors north to East Lansing, Mich., for the Michigan State Open on Sunday (Nov. 12). The tournament, Michigan's final pre-season tune-up, is slated to begin at 10 a.m. at Jenison Field House.
Following are results from Friday:
125 Pounds
Mark Moos dec. Michael Watts, 8-6
Moos wins series 2-0
133 Pounds
Chris Diehl major dec. Mike Sears, 14-4
Diehl wins series 2-0
141 Pounds
Brad Cusumano dec. Mark Beaudry, 10-6
Cusumano wins series 2-0
149 Pounds (Exhibition)
Josh Churella major dec. Braden L'Amoreaux, 12-2
Churella will start at 149 pounds
157 Pounds
1- Rob Sulaver dec. Jeff Marsh, 3-2
2 - Marsh dec. Sulaver, 8-5
Marsh wins series 2-1
165 Pounds
Eric Tannenbaum major dec. Mike Milano, 12-2
Tannenbaum wins series 2-0
174 Pounds
Steve Luke dec. Scott Giffin, 7-2
Luke wins series 2-0
184 Pounds
Tyrel Todd dec. Nick Roy, 4-0
Todd wins series 2-0
197 Pounds
Casey White dec. Eddie Phillips, 9-3
White wins series 2-0
Heavyweight
Matt Guhn pinned Omar Maktabi, 0:59
Guhn wins series 2-0
Q U O T E S
Michigan Head Coach Joe McFarland
On the competitive series at 184 pounds ... "Both of those guys were in our lineup last year, and Nick (Roy) is a fifth-year senior and an NCAA qualifier. It's tough to see him lose a starting spot, but, unfortunately, that's somtimes what happens when guys move around. It comes down to some tough wrestleoffs, and we had two guys out there tonight battling it out. Unfortunately, only one guy can be the winner."
On the true freshmen earning starting roles ... "I'm really impressed with both of them. They are both great competitors. I've been watching (Chris) Diehl wrestle for some time, and I know what he's capable of doing. He is everything that I like in a wrestler because he has great intensity. He's in great condition, he's always in your face, and he's always looking to score. Matt Guhn was slowed down a bit last year with a shoulder injury and had surgery on it. He's just now getting health where he is able to compete, and we're seeing what he's capable of doing. He's just a great athlete. I think he's going to end up being a great heavyweight here. I love the way he works in the practice room. He's up there running with our lightweights and keeping pace with them during sprints. Neither of those guys wanted to redshirt this year; they want to compete. They earned themselves a spot in the starting lineup, and they'll both get a chance to wrestle for Michigan this year. I'm really looking forward to watching these guys grow and develop this year."
On the depth in the U-M practice room ... "We have some very competitive weight classes. Those guys who didn't get their hands raised tonight will have some more opportunites. At 141, we're a little banged up there, and we have two quality wrestlers who haven't had a chance to wrestleoff. We're going to continue to give guys opportunities to wrestle at several weight classes. I think, by doing that, it's going to keep these guys sharp and keep them at the top of their game."
On opening up the competitive season ... "I think our guys are looking forward to getting into some dual-meet competition. At this time of year, we've been training hard and going through some difficult practices. Tonight was nice because we were able to get into our home arena and in front of a crowd, but it was still against ourselves. I think our guys are anxious about getting going and seeing some fresh faces across from them on the mat."
Contact: Leah Howard (734) 763-4423
Players Mentioned
