Spartan Wrestling Takes Third at Navy Classic, Tucker Claims 157 pound Title

Annapolis, Md. - Michigan State wrestling placed six wrestlers in the top six, including Jake Tucker winning his weight class to go with three third-place finishers at the 42nd Annual Navy Classic on Saturday, Nov. 23 on its way to a third-place finish in the team standings.

"There were a lot of positives today and the guys really competed hard and were a factor all day in the team race," said MSU wrestling head coach Roger Chandler. "We challenge our guys to get better every time they step on the mat compared to the last time they compete. They made some adjustments from last week and those adjustments showed up today."

MSU finished with 99 team points in the 18-team field, behind second-place Campbell with 107 points and first-place finisher and No. 16-ranked Virginia Tech who captured the team crown with 116 points. The Spartans finish in the top three for the second-straight year after taking the title in 2018. A total of 10 Spartans reached the championship quarterfinals and six advanced to the semifinals.

Redshirt junior Jake Tucker captured MSU's lone title at 157 pounds, improving to 11-2 overall on the season. Tucker earned bonus points in three matches on the day en route to his first career tournament title. Tucker started the day with a major decision over Trey Brisker (9-1) and a tech fall over Doug Gudenburr (19-3). Tucker cruised in his quarterfinal match, grabbing a decision over Ethan Karstern (8-1). Tucker dominated No. 18 Alexander Klucker of Lock Haven in the semifinals (8-0), before taking down Ohio's Zac Carson in the final (8-3). Tucker defeated Carson earlier in the season at the MSU Open (MD, 11-3).

"Jake Tucker is finally in a place where he knows he is one of the best guys in the country," said Chandler. "His talent is through the roof as he can wrestle in every position. He was controlled, confident and determined all day long. That is his first tournament title in college and it's a credit to his commitment to get better every day."

Redshirt sophomore Cameron Caffey claimed a third-place finish and pushed his record to 9-3 overall on the season. Redshirt senior Garrett Pepple showcased his talent for the Spartans at 133 pounds, finishing in third-place after a 3-2 performance. Redshirt freshman Layne Malczewski also finished third for the Spartans. Other Spartans who finished in the top-six were Nick May (fourth at 197 pounds) and Drew Hughes (sixth at 165 pounds).

"Being in an individual team tournament is important preparation for the end of the year when we get to the Big Ten and NCAA Championships," said Chandler. "Everyone understands how important each win is to the team points and everyone was looking for bonus points today, which is critical to team success in tournaments."

The Spartans take the week off before traveling to Edwardsville, Ill. for the Cougar Clash Invite on Saturday, Dec. 7 through Monday, Dec. 9.

133 - Garrett Pepple (Third Place)

First Round def. Jake Rotunda (The Citadel) - Dec. 6-5

Second Round def. David Fehlman (Lock Haven) – Fall 2:01

Quarterfinals def. Sammy Alvarez (Rutgers) – Dec. 6-2

Semifinals def. by Tim Rooney (Kent State) – Dec. 7-4

3rd place match def. Jared Van vleet (Air Force), MD 11-2

157 - No. 15 Jake Tucker (First Place)

First Round def. Trey Brisker (Air Force), MD 9-1

Second Round def. Doug Gudenburr (The Citadel), TF 19-3

Quarterfinals def. Ethan Karsten (American), Dec. 8-1

Semifinals def. #18 Alexander Klucker (Lock Haven), MD 8-0

Finals def. Zac Carson (Ohio), Dec. 8-3

165 - Drew Hughes (Sixth Place)

Second Round def. Brett Donner (Rutgers), Dec. 8-2

Quarterfinals def. Caleb Clymer (Lock Haven), Dec. 5-1

Semifinals def. by Tanner Skidgel (Navy), Dec. 5-3

Consolation Round of 8 def. Austin Hiles (MSU), Dec. 5-3

Consolation Round of 4 def. Dazjon Castro (The Citadel), TF 16-0

Fifth Place match def. by Shane Jones (Old Dominion), Dec. 5-2

174 - Layne Malczewski (Third Place)

First Round def. William Scott (Rutgers), Fall 3:33

Second Round def. Tony Lombardo (George Mason), Fall 2:44

Quarterfinals def. Andrew McNally (Kent State), Dec. 10-6

Semifinals def. by Spencer Carey (Navy) MD 17-4

3rd place match def. Jared Siegrist (Lock Haven), Dec. 9-2

184 - No. 13 Cameron Caffey (Third Place)

Second Round def. Shane Mast (Kent State), MD 20-7

Quarterfinals def. Billy Janzer (Rutgers), Dec. 6-4

Semifinals def. by #13 Tanner Harvey (American), Dec. 8-5

3rd place match def. #11 Andrew Morgan (Campbell), MD 12-4

197 - Nick May (Fourth Place)

First Round def. Casey Jumps (Air Force), MD 10-2

Second Round def. Tim Young (Old Dominion), Dec. 6-3

Quarterfinals def. Matthew Correnti (Rutgers), Dec. 5-1

Semifinals def. by Colin McCracken (Kent State), Dec. 6-2

3rd place match def. by Jacob Koser (Navy), TF 18-2

* rankings according to NWCA, The Open Mat and TrackWrestling

Spartan Wrestling Takes Third at Navy Classic, Tucker Claims 157 pound Title

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Players Mentioned

Cameron Caffey

Austin Hiles

Drew Hughes

Layne Malczewski

Nick May

Garrett Pepple

Jake Tucker

Spartan Wrestling Takes Third at Navy Classic, Tucker Claims 157 pound Title

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Players Mentioned

Cameron Caffey

Austin Hiles

Drew Hughes

Layne Malczewski

Nick May

Garrett Pepple

Jake Tucker

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