Michigan
Maize and Blue Intrasquad
U-M Sets Lineup with Maize and Blue Intrasquad
11/16/2008 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Site: Ann Arbor, Mich. (Cliff Keen Arena)
Event: Maize and Blue Intrasquad
Result: No Team Scoring
Next U-M Event: Friday, Nov. 21 -- at Lehigh (Bethlehem, Pa.), 7 p.m.
Photo Gallery
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan wrestling team set its 2008-09 starting rotation at the annual Maize and Blue Intrasquad on Sunday afternoon (Nov. 16) at Cliff Keen Arena. After preliminary matches were held in practice throughout the preceding week, the intrasquad featured the final round of wrestleoffs at eight weight classes.
First-time starters emerged from three weight classes as freshman Zac Stevens(Monroe, Mich./Monroe HS), junior/sophomore Aaron Hynes(Mt. Morris, Mich./Flint Kearsley HS) and sophomore/freshman Justin Zeerip(Fremont, Mich./Hesperia HS) swept the series at 133, 157 and 165 pounds, respectively.
Stevens will be the third true freshman to earn an immediate starting role in as many years for the Wolverines after earning a 17-2 technical fall over junior/sophomore Mike Sears(Grand Blanc, Mich./Flint Powers Catholic HS) in the 133-pound contest. Stevens converted on a takedown in each period and added a second-period reversal and eight back points to build his sizable advantage. He used an arm bar to turn Sears in the closing seconds of the final period to seal the tech fall after riding time (4:01).
The matches at 157 and 165 pounds were closer affairs. Hynes rallied from an initial deficit to claim the former bout with a 10-4 decision against sophomore/freshman Dave Johnson(Jenison, Mich./Jenison HS). Hynes scored a reversal and three takedowns, including two in the third period, while accumulating 4:47 in riding-time advantage. Zeerip took the latter 16-5 over fifth-year senior Cody Waters(Adrian, Mich./Adrian HS), using four takedowns, a reversal and four near-fall points to cruise to the major decision.
Senior Michael Watts(Riverton, Utah/Riverton HS) kicked off the intrasquad competition with a 17-0 technical fall over freshman Bret Marsh (Dexter, Mich./Dexter HS) at 125 pounds. Watts turned the U-M newcomer three times in the second frame with a high-leg turk; the final turn at the end of the period netted the tech fall and brought an early end to the match.
Senior/junior Justin Chrzanowski(Metamora, Mich./Lapeer West HS), who started for the Wolverines two seasons ago at 141 pounds, reclaimed a spot in the starting lineup with a 5-2 decision over freshman Mark Weber(Goodrich, Mich./Goodrich HS) in the 149-pound bout. After a scoreless first period, Chrzanowski converted on a low single-leg takedown early in the second period and, despite allowing a third-period reversal, accumulated 2:23 in riding time to hang on for the win.
Junior/sophomore Anthony Biondo(Clinton Twp., Mich./Chippewa Valley HS) and fifth-year senior Tyrel Todd(Bozeman, Mont./Bozeman HS), who swapped weight classes over the summer, cruised to victory in their respective wrestleoffs to claim starting roles at their new spots. Biondo earned a quick pin against freshman Hunter Collins(Gilroy, Calif./Gilroy HS) in the 184-pound contest, locking up a cradle off an early restart to roll up the U-M newcomer and end the bout at the 1:06 mark. Todd, who is ranked third in the latest NWCA/InterMat poll, converted on six takedowns -- three each in the first and second periods -- and used a throw and a high-leg turk to add six back points in a 19-4 technical fall over junior/sophomore Ryan Selley(Linden, Mich./Linden HS), ending the 197-pound match with 10 seconds remaining on the clock in the second frame.
Capping the afternoon at heavyweight, junior/sophomore Eddie Phillips(Woodland, Mich./Lakewood HS) used a second-period escape and 1:54 in riding-time advantage to claim a 2-0 decision over junior/sophomore Chad Bleske(Washington, Mich./Romeo HS). The duo split starting time last season at heavyweight.
The intrasquad featured two exhibition contests, both starring top-five ranked Wolverines against former U-M All-America standouts. Sophomore Kellen Russell(High Bridge, N.J./Blair Academy), ranked fifth in the latest poll, spotted three-time All-American Josh Churella (2005-08) about 20 pounds in the 141-pound contest and could not overcome an early deficit, falling 8-3 in his first competitive contest of the season. Churella converted on three takedowns, including two in the opening frame, and added 1:24 in riding time to seal up the decision win.
Fifth-year senior Steve Luke(Massillon, Ohio/Perry HS), the nation's No. 1-ranked 174-pounder, kept it close with assistant coach Mike Kulczycki (2000-03) but used a pair of takedowns to secure a 5-4 decision. Kulczycki, who made his first appearance in Cliff Keen Arena in more than five years, pulled within one point late in the third period when Luke was hit with his second stalling call, but the 2001 All-American (149 pounds) was unable to penetrate Luke's defense in the closing seconds.
The Wolverines will officially kick off the 2008-09 season next weekend with a pair of non-conference dual meets. U-M will head to Bethlehem, Pa., to face Lehigh at 7 p.m. on Friday (Nov. 21) before wrapping the road swing on Saturday (Nov. 22) with a2 p.m. slate against Pennsylvania in Philadelphia, Pa.
Following are results from Sunday:
125 Pounds
Michael Watts tech. fall Bret Marsh, 17-0
Watts wins series 2-0
133 Pounds
Zac Stevens tech. fall Mike Sears, 17-2
Stevens wins series 2-0
141 Pounds (Exhibition)
Josh Churella dec. Kellen Russell, 8-3
Russell will start at 141 pounds
149 Pounds
Justin Chrzanowski dec. Mark Weber, 5-2
Chrzanowski wins series 2-0
157 Pounds
Aaron Hynes dec. Dave Johnson, 10-4
Hynes wins series 2-0
165 Pounds
Justin Zeerip major dec. Cody Waters, 16-5
Zeerip wins series 2-0
174 Pounds (Exhibition)
Steve Luke dec. Mike Kulczycki, 5-4
Luke will start at 174 pounds
184 Pounds
Anthony Biondo pins Hunter Collins, 1:06
Biondo wins series 2-0
197 Pounds
Tyrel Todd tech. fall Ryan Selley, 19-4
Todd wins series 2-0
Heavyweight
Eddie Phillips dec. Chad Bleske, 2-0
Phillips wins series 2-0
Contact: Leah Howard (734) 763-4423
Players Mentioned
