Michigan State University
Michigan State Open-Session II
Six Wrestlers Advance To Semifinals Of MSU Open
11/20/2004 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Nov. 20, 2004
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Six Michigan State wrestlers are still alive in the semifinal round of the championship bracket after the first day of the two-day tournament at Jenison Field House. Andy Simmons (141 pounds), Darren McKnight (149 lbs.), Matt McCarty (157 lbs.), Justin Mora (165 lbs.), R.J. Boudro (174 lbs.) and Joe Williams (184 lbs.) have all advanced to the final four in their respective weight classes and are guaranteed a medal position.
"For the most part I think we wrestled fairly well today," said head coach Tom Minkel. "I thought R.J. and Andy were really impressive and kind of set the standard for our team. However, the season is still young and there are plenty of areas we need to work on to achieve our goals for this season."
Simmons secured his place in the semifinals with two straight victories by fall over wrestlers from Kent State. In his only other match against Eric Kruger from Central Michigan, he scored a major decision victory, 10-1. Simmons will square off against Brandon Carter, also of Central Michigan, in tomorrow's morning session with a spot in the finals at stake.
McKnight will wrestle Jason Blake of Kent State in the semifinals after his undefeated performance on Saturday. After handily knocking off Nick Blackshaw of Northern Illinois and Jason Roush of Mt. St. Joseph, McKnight defeated Mark Disalvo of Central Michigan in a hard-fought battle, 5-4.
McCarty had the toughest path to the semis, having to wrestle four matches on Saturday. He started the day off with a technical fall, 15-0, against Don Funk of Eastern Michigan, and followed that up with pin against NIU's Tony Catour in the second round. After defeating Charles Kalil of Michigan, he upset No. 2-seeded Alex Nelson from Northern Illinois to move into the championship bracket's final four. He will wrestle Keith Gavin of Pittsburgh for a chance to move into the finals.
In contrast, Mora only had to hit the mat twice to advance to the final four. He recorded a major decision against Purdue's Shepard, then narrowly defeated Daron Crunckshank of Muskegon Community College, 6-5. He will meet No. 3 seed Justin Nestor of Pitt Sunday morning.
Boudro rolled to the semis, outscoring his opponents 42-10 in three matches. This included a technical fall in the first round and an upset over Pitt's Francis Iorfido, 8-2. He will face Andrew Lowther of Ohio State in the semifinals.
Williams will face Russ Vanderheyden of Central Michigan in the semifinals. He tallied a pin in the first round, and victories over Josh Hildebrand of Central Michigan and Tyler Bruesewitz of Northern Illinois to claim a spot in Sunday morning's session.
Jeff Wimberley (125 lbs.), Bryan Harney (165 lbs.) and Max Lossen are also still in contention in the consolation brackets of their weight classes.
Wrestling beings with the semifinals bouts at 10 a.m. on Sunday. The tournament will conclude with the medal rounds beginning at 1 p.m. Admission is $10.
Players Mentioned
