Michigan State Wrestling Notes - Nov. 11, 2003
11/10/2003 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Nov. 10, 2003
East Lansing, Mich. -
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Spartans Make 2003-04 Home Debut at MSU Open: Six Michigan State wrestlers finished among the top-eight placewinners as State hosted the Michigan State Open in East Lansing, Nov. 8-9. The Spartans' Darren McKnight (149), Joe Williams (174) and Nate Mesyn (184) took fourth in their weight classes, while Anton Hall and Andy Simmons finished fifth at 174 and 141, respectively. Competition in the event, which featured more than 400 wrestlers from 29 schools, ended Sunday.
Williams, a freshman, took fourth after losing 8-3 to Central Michigan's Kevin Carr in the consolation championships. State's Hall forfeited to Carr, in the semifinals, which allowed the CMU-MSU matchup at 174. Hall went on to defeat Ed Willis from Ohio University, 6-4, and claimed fifth place.
McKnight defeated Anthony Constantino from Columbia University, 6-4 to move into the consolation championship. McKnight then lost to Eric Tannenbaum, 6-0, taking fourth place.
At 184 Mesyn lost to Wisconsin's Ryan Flaherty by injury default in the consolation championships, taking fourth place overall. Simmons, in the 141-weight class, fell to Pittsburgh's Ronald Tarquinio, 3-1, for the right to wrestle in the consolation championships. However, Simmons defeated Northern Illinois freshman Mike Grimes, 1-0, and finished fifth.
At 285, Max Lossen and Mike Keenan took sixth and seventh, respectively. Lossen defeated Eastern Illinois junior Pete Ziminski, 3-0 to claim fifth place, while Keenan beat Isreal Keenana from Northern Idaho College, 8-1, for seventh.
Michigan's 133-pounder, Jose Chaurella, was named the Open's Outstanding Wrestler, while Virginia's Scott Moore (141) posted the most falls in the two-day event.
The Spartans host defending national champion Oklahoma State Sunday, Nov. 16 at 1 p.m. in Jenison Field House, MSU's first dual meet competition of the season. Prior to that meet, Oklahoma State opens its season against Tennessee-Chattanooga Friday, Nov. 14 in Stillwater, Okla.
EMU Open Recap: The MSU wrestling team opened the season Sat., Nov. 1, at the Eastern Michigan Open. Several wrestlers competed unattached for the Spartans as five MSU grapplers landed in the top five of their respective weight classes.
Ryan Froese placed fifth at 141, while Mike Escobedo (157), Joe Williams (174) and Spencer Nadolsky (HWT), placed fourth.
Mike Keenan was MSU's best finisher, taking runner-up honors at heavyweight, dropping a 2-1 decision in the championship bout to Michigan's Greg Wagner.
MSU 21st In The Nation: Themat.com released its preseason rankings Oct. 30, placing three individuals in the top 20 in their weight classes and voting the Spartans 21st after an 18th place NCAA finish in 2003.
At 141, Ryan L'Amoreaux is ranked 13th in the preseason by themat.com while Anton Hall is 20th at 174 and Nate Mesyn is 20th at 184.
InterMat Wrestling voted the Spartans 24th. InterMat also picked Andy Simmons as a preseason No. 12 at 141 as Anton Hall is 19th at 174.
No One Said It Would Be Easy: The Spartans again boast one of the nation's toughest schedules. They host defending national champion and preseason No. 1 Oklahoma State on Nov. 15 at Jenison Field House and will face at least 12 teams ranked in the preseason top 25.
Players Mentioned
