2004-05 Wrestling Outlook
11/4/2004 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Nov. 4, 2004
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Despite a frustrating 2-12 record during the 2003-04 season, and another difficult schedule in 2004-05, Michigan State wrestling head coach Tom Minkel has high expectations for this year's Spartan squad.
"This team should be significantly more competitive than last season. Last year we were just plagued by injuries," said Minkel. "However, if you can fight through adversity like we were faced with all of last year, it can make you better in the long run."
Not only did the 2003 Spartans lose All-Americans Nik Fekete, who transferred, and Nick Simmons who took an Olympic redshirt, but three others, Shane Martin, Mike Escobedo, and Conan Williams, suffered season-ending injuries early in the campaign. With those changes to the 2003 lineup, the Spartans return just four starters from last year's squad.
"No one likes to lose. But when you have a season as difficult as last year's was, it is powerful motivation," said Minkel. "We are a more experienced and mature team this year. The only weight class where we are not very tested is 165 pounds."
Although the Spartans look to be a much-improved team on paper for the 2004-05 season, they will still have to prove themselves every time out.
"Building the team unity like we had a couple of years ago, will be a huge step for us," said Minkel. "This team just needs one or two guys to step up each match, and that will go a long way towards helping us reach our team goals."
The wrestler that the team will probably miss the most is Nate Mesyn at 184 pounds.
"Nate was just a good tough competitor who didn't make many mistakes," said Minkel. "He was a solid all-around wrestler. He did an excellent job anchoring the upper weights for us last year." The leadership corps for the 2005 team is headed by brothers Nick and Andy Simmons, as well as junior Darren McKnight.
125
The biggest news for the Spartans comes at 125 pounds where Nick Simmons returns from an Olympic redshirt year. Despite falling short of the Olympic team, Simmons finished fifth at the Olympic Team Trials, won a gold medal at the Pan-American Championships and has high hopes for his sophomore season.
"I think Nick will compete for both a Big Ten and a National title this year so it is terrific to have him back," said Minkel. "His unconventional style makes him our most likely wrestler to get a fall, and that makes him particularly valuable in dual meets." Backing up Simmons will be sophomore Zach Frutiger and a host of other freshmen.
"I am very happy with the depth we have at 125," said Minkel.
133
Fifth-year senior Shane Martin should make the start at 133 pounds after a shoulder injury kept him out all of the 2003-04 season.
"After surgery and rehab, Shane has recovered well and will be solid for us at 133." said Minkel. "But Tony Greathouse and Ryan Froese will seriously challenge Shane for the starting spot."
141
The younger of the Simmons brothers, Andy, will look to improve upon his impressive freshmen campaign that led him to be the team's Outstanding Wrestler with a 33-15 record. He also made his first appearance at the NCAA Championships.
"Andy is quite a bit stronger now and has some college experience under his belt. We think he too has the potential to compete for both Big Ten and NCAA titles," said Minkel.
149
Another NCAA qualifier, Darren McKnight, will start for the second straight year at 149 pounds.
"Darren is a great leader on the team, extremely hard working, is very committed, and is an honor student," said Minkel. "He has it all, and we expect big things out of him this season."
 Matt McCarty will start at 157 pounds in his senior season.  | |
157
A second fifth-year senior, Matt McCarty, should make the start at 157 pounds after spending last year bouncing between 157 and 165 with Arsen Alexsanyen. Sophomore Mike Escobedo, who was also out last year for shoulder surgery will push McCarty for the starting spot.
165
Redshirt freshmen Brian Harney is the probable starter at 165 pounds. Harney was a two-time Illinois state champion and was 47-1 as a senior. However, Justin Mora, a transfer from Division II MacMurray College, will challenge for the spot and looks to make an immediate impact for the Spartans.
174
Transfer R.J. Boudro will likely make the start at 174 pounds for the Spartans.
"R.J. comes to us from the University of Michigan, which doesn't happen very often," noted Minkel. "He is an outstanding addition to our team and we are very happy to have him in the program."
Boudro will be backed up by redshirt freshman Greg Goidosik who finished his high school career with 212 victories.
184
Look out for redshirt freshman Joe Williams at 184 pounds. Williams was one of the top recruits in the nation two years ago out of Orange, Calif.
"Joe is one of the most gifted and hard-working kids we have this year." said Minkel. "He should make an immediate impact in his first year of college wrestling and be a fierce competitor for us."
197
The final NCAA qualifier returning from last year's squad, Jeff Clemens, will start in the 197-pound slot.
"Jeff has always been a little small for 197 pounds, but he has worked really hard with assistant coach and new strength and conditioning coach David Dean to get bigger and stronger," commented Minkel, "Now, I think he is a legitimate 197-pounder."
Conan Williams, who has been plaqued by injuries during his collegiate career, should be behind Clemens at 197.
HWT
Max Lossen will finally get a shot at the heavyweight starting position as a junior after backing up Mike Keenan and John Wechter his first two years. Lossen qualified for the Olympic Trials as well this past summer and was able to get some international experience for the first time in his career.
"Max has been very close the past two years. He worked hard this summer, and now he is the man," said Minkel.
Schedule Outlook
The Green and White kick the 2004-05 season off with the Eastern Michigan Open on Nov. 6.
"The EMU Open is an excellent opening tournament, especially for our younger guys to get their feet wet and get a some experience," said Minkel.
Things really get going for the Spartan grapplers when they host the Michigan State Open November 20-21.
"The MSU Open is the toughest preseason tournament in the nation," said Minkel.
Last year, the tournament consisted of more than 400 wrestlers, including half of the Big Ten and many of the other elite teams from around the Midwest and Northeast.
"Our tournament really lets us know where we stand because of the depth and toughness of the teams," added Minkel.
After a dual meet with Eastern Michigan Nov. 30, MSU winds down its early season tournament schedule with the North Carolina Open.
"The UNC Open is a really nice tournament for us because we see teams that we won't see for the rest of the year," said Minkel. "It is good for us to see completely different competition for that weekend."
State's tough non-conference dual schedule kicks off with in-state rival Central Michigan who finished last year No. 15 in the nation.
"Although CMU has an outstanding squad, nothing compares to the caliber of wrestling that we face when we wrestle Oklahoma State," Minkel said.
The Spartans travel to Stillwater, Okla., to take on the defending National Champions Jan. 6.
"They have a team that is almost a lock for the national title again," said Minkel. "OSU is about as hostile of wrestling environment you can go to, the crowd is always on you."
The Spartans' other non-conference dual takes place in East Lansing, against perennial power Oklahoma in the final dual match of the regular season, Feb. 25.
 Andy Simmons, last year's most outstanding wrestler, is preseason ranked No. 5 in the nation. | |
Fighting for position in the Big Ten will once again be a daunting task for the Spartans as eight of the conference's 11 teams ended the 2003-04 season in the top 25.
"Although we don't wrestle Iowa and Illinois this year, one of the perks of being in the Big Ten is that you are going to face the most talented teams in the country year in and year out."
One of those dual matches will come against the Penn State Nittany Lions Jan. 15 at the Jack Breslin Center.
"It will be kind of neat to wrestle at the Breslin Center with the video board that they have. But, I still think Jenison Field House is one of the best places to wrestle in the nation," said Minkel.
MSU will travel to the Big Ten Tournament March 5-6, at the University of Iowa, and conclude its season with the NCAA Championships in St. Louis, March 17-19.
"I strongly believe that we can come away with several individual Big Ten Championships and possibly send a large contingent to the NCAA Tournament," concluded Minkel.
Players Mentioned
