Penn State Edges No. 18 Michigan State in Wrestling

Feb. 17, 2002

UNIVERSITY PARK, PA. - The No. 18 Michigan State wrestling team lost to Penn State 17-16 Sunday (Feb. 17) at Rec Hall, located on the campus of Penn State University. The Spartans fall to 5-9 overall and 2-4 in Big Ten competition.

Penn State jumped out to an early 3-0 advantage as Nate Wachter won a 9-4 decision over Michigan State's Matt McCarty (Fr., Clarksville, Tenn.) at 149 pounds. The Spartans countered and tied the score at 3 in the 157-pound match, with No. 14 Karl Nadolsky (Jr., Holland) scoring an 8-5 decision over Penn State's James Woodall. The victory gave Nadolsky his 20th win of the season.

At 165 pounds, No. 19 Doc Vecchio of Penn State downed Anton Hall (Jr., Ada), 12-7. The decision allowed the Nittany Lions to reclaim the lead at 6-3.

Michigan State rallied to take its first lead of the afternoon, 7-6, as No. 10 Rashad Evans (Jr., Niagara Falls, N.Y.) earned an 11-1 major decision over Penn State's Todd Brennan at 174 pounds. Evans made his debut in the rankings Friday, and posted his sixth-consecutive victory.

The Spartans continued to apply the pressure in the 184-pound match. Nathaniel Mesyn (So., Clinton Twp.) defeated Curt Thompson of Penn State, 12-6, to extend the Spartan lead to 10-6.

The 197-pound match went to the Spartans' John Wechter (Jr., Saginaw), who earned a 7-4 decision over Penn State's Ryan Cummins, and gave MSU its biggest lead at 13-6.

Penn State responded in the heavyweight match as Pat Cummins won a 4-2 decision over Mike Keenan (So., Columbus, Ohio). Despite the loss, the Spartans still led 13-9.

No. 15 Chris Williams (Sr., Perry) won his 97th career collegiate match as he defeated Penn State's Adam Smith in the 125-pound match, 11-6. Williams moved into 13th place in career wins at MSU while pushing the Spartans lead to 16-9 with two matches left.

At 133 pounds, Penn State's Marat Tomaev scored a technical fall over Scott Pushman (Fr., Fenton). The technical fall produced five points and narrowed Michigan State's lead to 16-14.

In the final match of the afternoon, No. 20 Scott Moore of Penn State scored a 6-2 decision over Shane Martin (Fr., DeWitt). The decision gave Penn State three points and a 17-16 victory. It was Penn State's first win over a ranked opponent this year.

MSU returns to action Friday, Feb. 22 at Jenison Field House against Ohio State. Friday's meet will be the last time to catch the Spartans at home this season. Senior Chris Williams will attempt to win his 98th career match.

MATCH SUMMARY:Wt. Winner                  Loser                      Score        Team Score149 Nate Wachter  (PSU)         Matt McCarty (MSU)            9-4     PSU, 3-0157 No. 14 Karl Nadolsky  (MSU)  James Woodall (PSU)         8-5     Tie, 3-3165 N0. 19 Doc Vecchio (PSU)    Anton Hall (MSU)            12-7        PSU, 6-3174 No. 10 Rashad Evans (MSU) Todd Brennan (PSU)          11-1        MSU, 7-6184 Nathaniel Mesyn  (MSU)         Curt Thompson                   12-6        MSU, 10-6197 John Wechter (MSU)        Ryan Cummins (PSU)              7-4     MSU, 13-6HWT.    Pat Cummins (PSU)       Mike Keenan (MSU)              4-2     MSU, 13-9125 No. 15 Chris Williams (MSU) Adam Smith (PSU)            11-6        MSU, 16-9133 Marat Tomaev (PSU)      Scott Pushman (MSU)              25-9        MSU, 16-14141 No. 20 Scott Moore (PSU)    Shane Martin (MSU)            6-2     PSU, 17-16

Next Event

Players Mentioned

Matt McCarty