Michigan State Wrestling Holding Green-White Wrestle Offs Thursday
10/26/2016 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
EAST LANSING, Mich. - Michigan State wrestling will conduct its annual Green-White Wrestle Offs on Thursday, Oct. 27 at 6 p.m. at the wrestling practice gym in IM West to unofficially open the 2016-17 season.
The first 100 fans get a free green Spartan water bottle. It will be the first chance for fans to see the 2016-17 Spartan Wrestling squad in action, under the leadership of first-year head coach Roger Chandler, and an early indicator of the wrestlers who can make an impact on the 2016-17 season.
"It's an exciting time because anytime you put these guys in a true competitive atmosphere where fans will be watching, an official on the mat, it definitely gets your juices flowing," Chandler said. "I think it is great preparation for our guys for next week when they step on the mat for the season opener at the Eastern Michigan Open. I think it's setting them to be prepared for everything next week when they lace them up for the first time officially."
The Spartans have 11 returning letterwinners, including junior Javier Gasca, who advanced to the NCAA Tournament last season at 141 pounds. MSU has 18 newcomers, with 17 freshmen and one transfer, sophomore Austin Eicher, who won the Mid-American Conference Championship at 133 pounds last season at Northern Illinois.
"I'm just excited. Overall, we have a very young team, and I'm anxiously optimistic to see the gains that these guys have made over the last 2-3 months through last year's postseason from the guys that are returning," Chandler said.
Chandler, who is in his 20th year on the Spartan wrestling staff, is in his first season as head coach, taking over the reins of the program after 25-year head coach Tom Minkel retired.
"I think your mindset never changes, you go in with a competitive mindset and you just want to see these guys compete at the highest level for seven minutes and not let up for a single second, because I believe that when you do that, you set yourself up to be successful at this level," Chandler said.
MSU's 2016-17 season will commence on Nov. 5 at the Eastern Michigan Open in Ypsilanti, Michigan, before the Spartans' home-opening action of hosting the annual Michigan State Open on Nov. 20 at Jenison Field House, the first of seven home events for MSU.
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