Hosting of 2010 Big Ten Championships Highlights Schedule
9/11/2009 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Sept. 11, 2009
• 2009-10 Michigan Wrestling Schedule
ANN ARBOR, Mich. -- The University of Michigan wrestling team announced Friday (Sept. 11) its schedule for the 2009-10 season, consisting of 11 regular-season dual meets and a heavier emphasis on tournament competition. In addition to its six regular-season home contests, the Wolverines will host the 2010 Big Ten Conference Championships on March 6-7 at Crisler Arena. U-M has boasted three individual champions -- more than any other school -- in back-to-back seasons at the annual conference tournament.
"Our schedule will be very competitive again this season," said head coach Joe McFarland. "We will face several of the top teams in the country, and I think that is important for our development throughout the season. Adding more tournaments will give our wrestlers more opportunities to prepare for the Big Ten and NCAA championships. We're excited for our first trip to the Southern Scuffle this season, and we're excited to face old and new challenges."
Tournament competition will heavily populate the early portion of the Wolverines' slate with two individual tournaments on tap before the New Year. Michigan will make its 27th straight appearance at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational, scheduled for Dec. 4-5, in Primm, Nev. The Wolverines have captured the annual tournament's team trophy in three of the last five years. The event boasts several strong Michigan ties, bearing the name of Michigan's legendary wrestling coach while operating under the direction of tournament directors Mark Churella Sr. and Mark Churella Jr., both former U-M grapplers.
U-M will also make its first appearance at the annual Southern Scuffle, scheduled for Dec. 29-30, in Greensboro, N.C. Combined with a pair of dual-meet tournaments -- the Northeast Collegiate Duals (Nov. 28) and Virginia Duals (Jan. 8-9) -- the events will provide Michigan the opportunity to see several top-rated non-conference teams.
The Wolverines' home slate includes a non-conference dual against Lehigh (Nov. 22) as well as Big Ten meetings against Iowa (Jan. 11), Minnesota (Jan. 23), Michigan State (Jan. 29) and Wisconsin (Feb. 14). Last season, the Wolverines posted a 5-2-1 conference mark. U-M will not face Illinois or Purdue this season.
The Wolverines will stay in the Midwest for postseason tournament competition, hosting the Big Ten Championships on March 6-7, at Crisler Arena, before wrapping up the season two weeks later (March 18-20) at the NCAA Championships at the Qwest Center in Omaha, Neb.
"The Big Ten Wrestling Championships is one of the most exciting athletic events that I have ever seen," said McFarland. "The state of Michigan has had a great tradition in the sport of wrestling. This will be a terrific chance to not only showcase our schools to the broader wrestling community but to showcase our sport to the entire state. This is the time to come out and see wrestling at its best, and we are really looking forward to getting a lot of people out to Crisler Arena and give them a taste of what Michigan wrestling is all about."
Contact: Leah Howard (734) 763-4423
