Michigan State University
Illinois
Wrestling Falls, 23-12, to No. 19 Illinois
1/24/2010 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Jan. 24, 2010
Coach Tom
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State senior Franklin Gomez and sophomore David Cheza each extended their impressive win steaks but it wasn't enough as the 19th-ranked Illinois Fighting Illini dropped Michigan State, 23-12, on Sunday (Jan. 24) afternoon at Jenison Field House.
The Spartans fell behind, 8-0, early but twice rallied to get within two points of the lead before finally falling to the Illini. The loss drops the Spartans to 6-3-1 (0-2 Big Ten) on the season while Illinois improves to 6-4 (1-1 Big Ten).
"This was a particularly tough loss, especially because we fought so hard on Friday night," said head coach Tom Minkel.
Illinois started the match strong at 184 when No. 2 John Dergo recorded a technical fall over Michigan State's Curran Jacobs, 19-4. Giving the Illini an early 5-0 lead.
The Illini pushed their lead to 8-0 when No. 10 Patrick Bond recorded a 10-5 decision over Tyler Dickenson at 197.
The Spartans got on the board at 285 after Alan O'Donnell recorded a 3-2 decision in a hard fought match over Illinois' Marty Smith. O'Donnell recorded the match's only takedown at the 1:33 mark of the third period to secure the three points for the Spartans.
At 125, John Dennen recorded an 11-4 decision over Eric Olanowski pushing the Illini lead to 11-3.
No. 1 Franklin Gomez got the Spartans back in the match just before halftime when he pinned Illinois' Daryl Thomas at 2:54 of the first period, cutting the Illini lead to 11-9. Gomez controlled the match from the beginning, eventually taking Thomas down at the 1:52 mark and riding him until recording the fall with six seconds left in the period. Gomez is now 14-0 this season and his winning streak improved to 28 consecutive, dating back to last season.
"One thing about Franklin is that he is consistent," said Minkel. "He always brings his best week in and week out."
At 141, The Spartans dropped a heartbreaker when No. 11 Ryan Pratter recorded a reversal on Dan Osterman with two seconds remaining in the match to secure a 6-4 victory and extend the Illini lead to 14-9.
Michigan State recorded another victory at 149 when No. 13 David Cheza defeated No. 20 Eric Terrazas 2-0. Cheza recorded an escape at the 1:30 mark of the second period to take a 1-0 lead going into the final period. Terrazas started down in the third and tried desperately to earn an escape to even the match but Cheza stayed strong and rode Terrazas out for the remainder of the match to secure a 2-0 victory with riding time.
Illinois regained a five-point lead when Conrad Polz defeated Anthony Jones Jr. in an 8-4 decision. Polz led 4-2 entering the final period with Jones starting down. Jones quickly escaped to cut the lead to 4-3. Polz recorded another takedown at the 52 second mark to push his lead to three. Jones again cut the match to two points with an escape at the 35 second mark, but a Polz takedown at 27 seconds secured the 8-4 victory.
At 165, the Illini's Joe Barczak recorded a 3-2 decision over Kyle Bounds to clinch the mach for Illinois. Barczak entered the third with a narrow 1-0 lead with Bounds starting down. Bounds escaped at the 1:49 mark to even the match at one. Barczak recorded the takedown that proved to be the difference at the 1:37 mark and held on for a narrow 3-2 decision.
In the final match of the day, No. 14 Jordan Blanton of Illinois recorded a 10-7 victory over Ian Hinton to close out a 23-12 victory for the Illini.
Michigan State returns to action next Friday (Jan. 29) when they travel to Ann Arbor to meet up with in-state rival Michigan for a 7 p.m. matchup.
MATCH RESULTS
No. 19 Illinois 23, Michigan State 12
184: No. 2 John Dergo tech. fall Curran Jacobs, 19-4; Illinois leads, 5-0
197: No. 10 Patrick Bond dec. Tyler Dickenson, 10-5; Illinois leads, 8-0
HWT: Alan O'Donnell dec. Marty Smith, 3-2; Illinois leads, 8-3
125: John Deneen dec. Eric Olanowski, 11-4; Illinois leads, 11-3
133: Franklin Gomez pinned Daryl Thomas, 2:54; Illinois leads, 11-9
141: No. 11 Ryan Pratter dec. Dan Osterman, 6-4; Illinois leads, 14-9
149: No. 13 David Cheza dec. Eric Terrazas, 2-0; Illinois leads, 14-12
157: Conrad Polz dec. Anthony Jones Jr., 8-4; Illinois leads, 17-12
165: Joe Barczak dec. Kyle Bounds, 3-2; Illinois leads, 20-12
174: No. 14 Jordan Blanton dec. Ian Hinton, 10-7; Illinois wins, 23-12
Players Mentioned
