Wrestling Underclassman Travel To Muskegon Community College Open
11/9/2004 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Nov. 9, 2004
EAST LANSING, Mich. -
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A LOOK FORWARD TO THE MUSKEGON C.C. OPEN- Several Spartan underclassmen will travel to the Muskegon Community College Open Saturday, Nov. 13. This tournament is another chance for the true freshman to get some valuable collegiate match experience before State's dual meets schedule starts at Eastern Michigan on Nov. 30.
2004-05 SEASON KICKS OFF AT EMU OPEN- The Michigan State wrestling team kicked off the 2004-05 season at the Eastern Michigan Open on Saturday, Nov. 6. Sophomore Nick Simmons led State in his first collegiate action since the 2002-03 season, after he took an Olympic redshirt last year. Simmons took first place at 125 pounds, while Tony Greathouse (141 lbs.), Darren McKnight (149 lbs.), John Murphy (184 lbs.) and Jeff Clemens (197 lbs.) all placed in their respective weight classes.
MSU OPEN - Most of the Spartan grapplers will kick off their seasons when the team hosts the Michigan State Open Nov. 20-21 at Jenison Field House. 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. The double-elimination tournament will start at 10 a.m. on Nov. 20, with the medal rounds Nov. 21 at 1 p.m.
Nick Simmons SELECTED FOR ALL-STAR MEET- Sophomore Nick Simmons has been selected to compete in the National Wrestling Coaches Association All-Star meet on Nov. 22 at Southern Illinois University in Edwardsville, Ill. He will face Oklahoma sophomore Sam Hazewinkle in the 125-pound match. In the preseason rankings released by the NWCA, Hazewinkle is ranked No. 1, while Simmons is ranked No. 3.
FOUR SPARTANS LISTED IN PRESEASON RANKINGS- Sophomores Nick and Andy Simmons, junior Darren McKnight, and redshirt freshman Joe Williams have all been ranked in their respected weight classes. Nick Simmons will start the year ranked No. 3 at 125 pounds, while his brother Andy is No. 5 at 141 lbs. McKnight is ranked as high as No. 14 in some polls at 149 lbs., while Joe Williams will debut at No. 20 at 184 lbs.
FABULOUS FRESHMAN- Freshman John Murphy made his first appearance for the Green and White at the EMU Open and came up with an impressive fifth-place finish at 184 lbs. The Evergreen, Ill., native was the only Spartan freshman to take home a medal. Murphy comes to East Lansing after a high school career where he placed three times in the Illinois state championships for St. Rita High School.
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