Wrestling Opens Home Season With MSU Open
11/10/1999 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Nov. 10, 1999
Home Opener: The Spartans open the 1999-2000 season by hosting the Michigan State Open in Jenison Field House on Nov. 13-14. Last season, three MSU wrestlers won individual titles: Pat McNamara at 133, Cory Posey at 157 and Greg DeGrand at 165.
To Get Results: Results will be available on fax-on-demand approximately 1/2 hour after conclusion of each day?s matches. The conference code is 282# and the report code is 2142#. Results can also be faxed upon request and will be updated on the internet at the conclusion of the meet on Sunday (www.msuspartans.com).
Last Weekend: Michigan State opened its season at the Eastern Michigan Open last weekend, with three individuals taking first place in their weight class. No team scores were kept. Sophomore Chris Williams took first place honors at 125 pounds by way of a 3-1 defeat of Michigan?s Matt Warner in the championship match, while junior Mike Castillo finished in first place at 141 pounds with a 3-2 victory over Luis Blanco of Purdue. Senior Greg DeGrand, wrestling up a weight class from his normal 165 pounds, rounded out the individual champions for the Spartans with a 2-1 win over 11th-ranked Mike Feeny of Eastern Michigan. DeGrand is currently ranked ninth at 165 pounds. Also placing for MSU were: freshman Charlie Sageman, fourth at 141, freshman Karl Nadolsky, third at 157, junior Corey Posey, sixth at 157, sophomore Scott Owen, third at 184, and junior Matt Lamb, third at heavyweight.
Number One: Senior Nick Muzashvili is ranked preseason No. 1 at 197 pounds by both InterMat Wrestling and Amateur Wrestling News. Muzashvili took third in the Big Ten Championships and at the NCAA Championships in 1999 and was the only Spartan to earn All-America accolades.
Individual Rankings: Besides Muzashvili, five other MSU wrestlers are ranked in the preseason polls by InterMat Wrestling (IW) and Amateur Wrestling News (AWS). Pat McNamara, Jr., 133 - No. 3 IW/AWS Gray Maynard, Fr., 157 - No. 19 IW Greg DeGrand, Sr., 165 - No. 9 IW/AWS Will Hill, Sr., 184 - No. 8 IW/No. 14 AWS Matt Lamb, Sr., 285 - No. 20 IW/No. 18 AWS
Returning All-Americans: Five NCAA Qualifiers, including two All-Americans return for Michigan State in 1999-2000. Nick Muzashvili earned All-America honors at 197 pounds in 1999, while Pat McNamara was an All-American at 126 pounds in 1998. Last year?s NCAA Qualifiers include: Muzashvili (197), McNamara (133), Will Hill (174) and Matt Lamb (285). Greg DeGrand, who qualified in 1998 at 158 pounds, redshirted last season.
The Coaching Staff: Head Coach Tom Minkel returns to lead the team for his ninth season, beginning the year with a 75-68-1 record at MSU and 90-86-1 career record. He is assisted by David Dean (eighth year) and Roger Chandler (third year).