Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eastern Michigan University
Michigan State
Wrestlers Drop Heartbreaker to MSU
12/5/2008 8:30:37 PM | Wrestling
Spartans win final two matches to record an 18-15 win
YPSILANTI, Mich. — The Eastern Michigan University wrestling team turned in an exciting performance, but in the end the Eagles had to settle for an 18-15 non-conference setback here Friday evening, Dec. 5, before 550 fans in Bowen Field House.
The Eagles built up a 15-12 lead through the first eight matches before Michigan State rallied to win the final two weight classes to post the three-point win, improving to 3-1 on the year. The loss drops EMU to 1-5 on the year.
“We’re progressively getting better,” EMU head coach Derrick DelPorto said of his team’s effort. “Tonight’s crowd made it a fun atmosphere and I’m sure the fans that came out will come back again.”
Michigan State opened up a 3-0 lead after the first match of the evening when the Spartans’ Curran Jacobs shut out EMU freshman Chris Eggert (Dundee, Mich.-Dundee) by a 3-0 score at 174 pounds.
At 184 EMU sophomore Derek Foore (Wadsworth, Ohio-Wadsworth) caame up with a big escape in the second period to break a 2-2 tie and added an escape point and a riding-time point in the third period for a 6-2 win over Ian Hinton, tying the team score at 3-3.
Senior John McClure (Holland, Mich.-West Ottawa) jumped out to a 3-0 lead over MSU’s Tyler Dickinson at 197 pounds and put the Eagles on top, 6-3, with a 4-1 win.
The Spartans came right back in the heavyweight match to knot the meet at 6-6 when Michigan State’s Alan O’Donnell came up with a big third period to record a 7-2 win over EMU redshirt sophomore David Wade (Beavercreek, Ohio-Beavercreek).
The 125-pound match started with a flurry when both wrestlers scored two-point takedowns in the first minute of action. The Spartan’s Eric Olawnowski came up with five straight points after that for a 7-2 win over EMU redshirt freshman Jordan McGuire (Miamisburg, Ohio-Miamisburg).
The nation’s No. 2 ranked 133 pounder, MSU’s Franklin Gomez, turned in a solid performance to record a 7-1 win over EMU’s redshirt junior Chris Jenkins (Tecumseh, Mich.-Tecumseh). That MSU win boosted the Spartans to a 12-6 lead heading into the 141 match between EMU redshirt freshman Corey Phillips (Canton, Mich.-Canton) and Collin Dozier.
That 141-pound match turned into one of the most exciting of the evening as both Phillips and Dozier traded points through the first two periods, with Phillips leading by an 8-6 score in the third . The EMU redshirt freshman stayed aggressive and built a 10-6 lead before recording the 10-9 win.
With EMU trailing by a slim 12-9 margin, EMU’s 149-pound redshirt freshman J.J. Johnson (Rockford, Mich.-Rockford) turned in a stunning pin over Tim Hammer to the thunderous applause of the partisan crowd to put the Eagles on top, 15-12. That pin came at the 3:41 mark of the match.
Michigan State would prove to be too much down the stretch, however, winning the final two matches of the evening. The Spartans’ Anthony Jones posted an 11-5 win over redshirt junior Drew Lesko (Tecumseh, Mich.-Tecumseh) at 157 pounds to tie the match at 15-all.
That left it up to the nation’s No. 15 ranked wrestler, Rex Kendle of Michigan State, and he responded with a 6-1 win over redshirt junior Justin Brandel (Saginaw, Mich.-Swan Valley) at 157 pounds to give Michigan State the hard-earned 18-15 win.
Final Score: Michigan State 18, Eastern Michigan 15
Wt. Class Wrestlers Match Score Team Score
174 lbs: Curran Jacobs (MSU) dec. Chris Eggert (EMU) 3-0 MSU, 3-0
184 lbs.: Derek Foore (EMU) dec. Ian Hinton (MSU) 6-2 Tie, 3-3
197 lbs.: John McClure (EMU) dec. Tyler Dickinson (MSU) 4-1 EMU 6, MSU 3
HWT: Alan O’Donnell (MSU) dec. David Wade (EMU) 7-2 EMU 6, MSU 6
125 lbs.: Eric Olawnowski (MSU) dec. Jordan McGuire (EMU) 7-2 MSU 9, EMU 6
133 lbs.: No. 2/Franklin Gomez (MSU) dec. Chris Jenkins (EMU) 7-1 MSU 12, EMU 6
141 lbs.: Corey Phillips (EMU) dec. Collin Dozier (MSU) 10-9 MSU 12, EMU 9,
149 lbs.: J.J. Johnson (EMU) pinned Tim Hammer (MSU) Pin, 3:41 EMU 15, MSU 12
157 lbs.: Anthony Jones (MSU) dec. Drew Lesko (EMU) 11-5 MSU 15, EMU 15
165 lbs: No. 15/Rex Kendle (MSU) dec. Justin Brandel (EMU) 6-1 MSU 18, EMU 15
