U-M Crowns Three Champs at Big Ten Meet
For the second straight season, the Wolverines crowned more Big Ten individual champions than any other school as sophomore Kellen Russell, fifth-year senior Steve Luke and fifth-year senior Tyrel Todd captured titles at 141, 174 and 197 pounds, respsectively. The U-M squad used its championship-round performance to jump two spots into third place, wrapping the two-day tournament with 92.5 points and eight total placewinners.
Russell (below) rallied from an early deficit to defeat top-seeded -- and top-ranked -- Zach Tanelli from Wisconsin, 6-4, in overtime. With the score knotted up at the end of regulation, the Wolverine sophomore rolled through a Tanelli shot early in the extra frame, coming around to score and secure his second straight Big Ten title.
Luke became just the ninth wrestler in Wolverine history to capture three Big Ten titles, using five takedowns, including three in the first period, to cruise past Penn State's Quentin Wright 12-5 in front of a partial PSU crowd.
Todd, after placing second at 184 pounds last season, claimed his first Big Ten title in his final appearance at the conference meet, building an early lead against Wisconsin's top-seeded Dallas Herbst and hanging on for a 5-4 decision. Todd controlled the match throughout, scoring takedowns in the first and second periods and, despite allowing a takedown at the final buzzer, used his 2:38 in riding-time advantage to seal the victory.
Six Wolverines earned automatic qualification to the NCAA Championships and, adding wild-card selection Michael Watts at 125 pounds, U-M will send seven wrestlers to the national event next week -- its most qualifiers in three seasons.
Visit the Big Ten Network's website for highlights from the championship finals, and check out MGoBlue for interviews with the three Wolverine champions.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Michigan Wrestling in the News
The Wolverine wrestling program and its individual standouts have received a good amount of publicity in preparation for the postseason tournaments. Flowrestling was recently in Ann Arbor to catch a glimpse of the new facility and conduct several interviews with U-M wrestlers and coaches.
With his early-season ACL tear, fifth-year senior Tyrel Todd (below, with asst. coach Kirk Trost) overcame great odds to capture his first-ever Big Ten Championships at 197 pounds. The Wolverine captain moved up to No. 3 in the latest NWCA/InterMat poll and will enter the NCAA championships with a similar seed. Last week, prior to the conference tournament, Todd conducted a lengthy Q&A with Revwrestling and was featured in the Ann Arbor News.
Be sure to keep your eyes peeled to next week's Detroit Free Press for a feature story on fifth-year senior Steve Luke. The upcoming issue of Amateur Wrestling News magazine will also feature the Wolverine captain.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Wolverine News & Notes
After the tremendous success of last year's NCAA Wrestling Championship social activities, we have decided to do it again! This year we will host post-event socials at J. BUCK's Restaurant on both Friday and Saturday night (March 20-21). J. BUCK's is located at 1000 Clark Street, just an easy 1/2 mile stroll from the Millennium Hotel.
The 2009 Wolverine wrestling banquet is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on Friday, April 17, at the Junge Champions Center. All Michigan parents, alumni and fans are invited to attend. The cost per person will be $25. Reversation and payments will need to be received by April 13. Click here for the reversation form and more information.
As promised, steel went up on the new Michigan wrestling training center a few weeks ago and the structure of the building is certainly beginning to take shape. Stay tuned to MGoBlue for more information about the facility and additional construction updates.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
On the Horizon
The Wolverines are in the midst of preparation for the NCAA Championships, scheduled for March 19-21 in St. Louis, Mo. Michigan will send seven wrestlers to the national event, which will be held at the Scottrade Center for the fourth time in six seasons.
Wolverine Wrestling Wrap is sent by the University of Michigan wrestling program to all U-M alumni, booster, parents, campers and fans. If you prefer not to receive it, please send an email to wrestlingwolverines@gmail.com with a subject of UNSUBSCRIBE. If you would prefer use of a different email address, send an email to wrestlingwolverines@gmail.com with a subject of ADDRESS CHANGE.