Michigan State University
Penn St
No. 14 Spartan Wrestling Defeats No. 25 Penn State
2/18/2001 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Feb. 18, 2001
EAST LANSING, Mich. - The No.14 Michigan State wrestling team defeated the 25th-ranked Penn State Nitany Lions, 23-12, on Sunday afternoon (Feb. 18) in Jenison Fieldhouse. With Sunday's win, Michigan State improved its Big Ten record to 3-5 with a record of 7-7 overall. The win gives the Spartans a two-game winning streak. Penn State falls to 7-12, 1-6 in the Big Ten. PSU has lost all five of their road meets this season.
The action began at 133 pounds with Michigan State's Pat McNamara defeating Penn State freshman Marat Tomaev. The fourth-ranked McNamara earned his 105th victory as a Spartan and put him in a three way tie for ninth all time in Michigan State victories.
MSU senior Mike Castillo took the second match. The 14th-ranked Castillo earned a major decision over Penn State red-shirt freshman Eric Narkiewicz at 141 pounds. Castillo got out to a fast start as he led 6-2 after the first period. He established a riding time of 2:08 early in the second period and dominated the rest of the match.
Nate Wachter gave Penn State their first match win after falling behind early, 7-0. His decision over 17th-ranked Carl Nadolsky closed the gap to 7-4.
The Spartans went on to take the next two matches with Charlie Sageman's 5-3 decision over Penn State's Aaron Wright and Corey Posey's 11-7 decision over Doc Vecchio. This gave Michigan State a 13-3 lead.
Michigan State's second major decision of the afternoon came in the 184 pound match. Sophomore John Wechter defeated Penn State freshman Cliff Wonsettler 14-4. After leading 17-6, MSU's Nik Fekete, ranked 12th, earned a 9-4 decision over Penn State junior Pete Mielnik. The match was scoreless after one period, but Fekete went on to dominate the second, taking a 5-2 lead going into the third period.
Penn State scored the only fall of the meet when Bobby Jones pinned Michigan State freshman Mike Keenan with 1:33 left in the third period. Jones also plays defensive end for the Nitany Lion Football team.
The last match resulted in a win for 12th-ranked Chris Williams of Michigan State who defeated Penn State freshman Josh Moore at 125 pounds.
"It was an important win for us here, we struggled on the road the last couple of weeks. It was important to get two wins this weekend," said Michigan State coach Tom Minkel.
Michigan State #14 - Penn State #25
Jenison Field House -- East Lansing, Mich.
Sunday, February 18, 2001
Attendance: 405
Results Match Score Meet Score133 - #4 Pat McNamara (MSU) dec. Marat Tomaev (PSU) 5-1 3- 0141 - #14 Mike Castillo (MSU) maj. dec. Eric Narkiewicz (PSU) 22-9 7- 0149 - Nate Wachter (PSU) dec. #17 Karl Nadolsky (MSU) 5- 4 7- 3157 - Charlie Sageman (MSU) dec. Aaron Wright (PSU) 5- 3 10- 3165 - Cory Posey (MSU) dec. Doc Vecchio (PSU) 11- 7 13- 3174 - Mark Becks (PSU) dec. Nate Mesyn (MSU) 10- 6 13- 6184 - John Wechter (MSU) maj. dec. Cliff Wonsettler (PSU ) 14-4 17-6197 - #12 Nik Fekete (MSU) dec. Pete Mielnik (PSU) 9- 4 20-6HWT - Bob Jones (PSU) pinned Mike Keenan (MSU) 5:37 20-12125 - #12 Chris Williams (MSU) dec. Josh Moore (PSU) 2-0
