Michigan State University
Michigan State Open
Nine Spartans Advance To Semifinals At The MSU Open
11/12/2005 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Nov. 12, 2005
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EAST LANSING, Mich. - Nine Michigan State wrestlers from seven different weight classes remain undefeated at the 2005 MSU Open and will compete in the semifinals on Sunday Morning. Ten other Spartans are still alive in the consolation brackets.
No. 4 Nick Simmons reached the 125-pound semifinals with three dominating performances on opening day. After recording a fall in the first round against an unattatched wrestler, he notched a technical fall against Michigan's Michael Watts, 15-0, and a major-decision shutout versus Matt Steintrager of Central Michigan. Simmons will face Michigan's Jim Shutich, who he recorded a technical fall against in last year's dual meet on Feb. 18.
Freshman Franklin Gomez also advanced to the final four at 125 pounds. Gomez tallied major decisions against wrestlers from Michigan and Central Michigan, before beating No. 10 Luke Smith of Central Michigan in thrilling fashion, 5-3, in their quarterfinal match up.
No. 6 Andy Simmons reached the semifinals of 141 pounds with a pair of convincing victories. Simmons took down Ahmad Joumaa of Eastern Michigan in the tournament's second round, then notched a major decision, 12-1, over Michigan's Brad Cusumano to stay alive in the championship bracket. Simmons will look to defend his MSU Open title tomorrow starting with Central Michigan's Eric Kruger.
A pair of Spartans will clash in the 149-pound semifinals. Top-seeded Darren McKnight beat J.P. Prince of Cumberland University by technical fall, before tallying a 7-3 decision over teammate Eddie Skowneski. McKnight will wrestling Nick Fallico, who edged out victories over Findlay's Antonio Guerra and Michigan's Braden L'Amoreaux to reach the final four.
Another true freshman, Rocky Cozart, will represent the Green and White in the 165-pound semifinals. Cozart beat wrestlers from Cumberland, 9-4, and Central Michigan, 3-2, and will clash with another Chippewa, Trevor Stewart, with a spot in the finals at stake.
R.J. Boudro claimed 4-2 and 18-7 decisions over Ohio State's Blake Maurer and Olivet's Mike Andrews, respectively, and will square off with Cumberland's Keith Cupp in Sunday morning's semifinals.
Sophomore Joe Williams squeaked into the final four at 184 lbs., beating grapplers from Cumberland, by three points, and Findlay by a one-point decision.
The final State semifinalist is Max Lossen at 285 pounds. Lossen eliminated Ohio State's Clay Bartholomew from the winner's bracket, then avenged a 2004 dual-meet loss to Charlie Walker, 4-2, in the quarterfinals. He will wrestle the fifth-ranked wrestler in the nation, Northwestern's Dustin Fox, in the semifinals
Ten MSU wrestlers remain alive in the consolation bracket of their respective weight classes: Jeff Wimberley at 133 pounds, Tim Hammer at 141 pounds, Eddie Skowneski at 149 pounds, Tony Greathouse at 157 pounds, Jeremy Bloom and Greg Goidosik at 174 pounds, John Murphy at 184 pounds, Jeff Clemens at 197 pounds and Freddie DeRamus and Alan O'Donnell at 285 pounds .
Wrestling continues at Jenison Field House tomorrow, Nov. 13, at 9 a.m., with the finals scheduled for 11:30 a.m.
Players Mentioned
