Notes and Quotes: #11 Michigan 21, #20 Central Michigan 12
1/16/2011 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Jan. 16, 2011
N O T E S
• With the win this afternoon, which halted U-M's three-match losing streak to Central Michigan, the Wolverines improved to 20-5 in the all-time series against CMU.
• Today's dual meet was the first wrestling event held in Central Michigan's new McGuirk Arena.
• Sophomore/freshman Brandon Zeerip has tallied bonus points in both dual appearances this season, adding today's major decision to a third-period pin against Purdue's Colton Salazar on Friday (Jan. 14).
• Sophomore Sean Boyle's win was his second of the season over Christian Cullinan. He previously defeated Cullinan, 6-4, in the finals of the Eastern Michigan Open (Nov. 6).
Q U O T E S
Michigan Head Coach Joe McFarland
"It always helps to get momentum on your side. Guys feed off of that, so that was important for us. There were several swing matches that we needed to win. I thought Eric [Grajales] wrestled a great match and put a lot of points up on the board. He was looking for opportunities. He wrestling longer and longer, and he's getting in better shape and looking a lot better. Brandon Zeerip is just coming into his own now. He just broke that kid. He just wrestles hard, and I really like where he's at. I thought Sean [Boyle] got a good win to start us off. Kellen [Russell] didn't put a lot of points up there, but that kid just tried to hold him off and Kellen wrestled solid. Hunter [Collins] had a good third period, and we got another good win at 197."
On defeating rival Central Michigan on the road ... "Their fans are passionate about wrestling, and they were waiting for us to come up here and hoping to knock us off in their gym. It wasn't to be. Our guys hung tough and won some big matches for us"
U-M Sophomore Sean Boyle
On the Wolverines' strong start at the lowerweights ... "It was important to get the momentum going with a big win, because it was a large crowd and a little wild. So, it was important for me to get my offense going early. I think we've been carrying some momentum over the last few weeks. We're just getting better week to week, and all the younger kids -- and the older kids -- in our lineup are really starting to believe in themselves. So, I think we had a lot of momentum coming in; I just helped get things going today."
On his win today ... "I came out strong, had three takedowns, and had a good second period with a reversal and a ride out. I faded a little bit in the third period; maybe I could have had another takedown or two to get the major. It's still a good win, but I've got to improve on my third periods -- finish off those matches strong, no matter what the score is and who I'm facing."
U-M Sophomore/Freshman Eric Grajales
On his dominant technical-fall victory at 149 pounds ... "I'm the kind of person that just eats up an environment like this -- the crowd, the booing, the things they were yelling at us. I love it. It energizes me and fuels me. I heard that and just went for it. I felt him slowing down and getting weaker; I smelled blood and went for it. The feeling you have after wins like that is unexplainable. Like I said, I didn't have the smoothest start, but I feel like I'm really coming into my own now. I feel great, and matches like this really help for my confidence. I know that I'll keep progressing."
On hitting several big moves today after focusing on fundamentals vs. Purdue ... "It shows me that I can do both sides of the grid. If I need it, I can still go out there and go for those big moves; sometimes you need to score like that. But sometimes you need to be smart, precise, slow the pace down and wrestle with greater caution. I know that both options are there, and both can work for me."
Players Mentioned
