Feb. 24, 2008

EAST LANSING, Mich. - The Michigan State wrestling team ended the 2007-08 regular season on Sunday afternoon with a 24-11 loss at No. 10 Michigan. The Spartans will move onto the Big Ten Championships on March 8-9 in Minneapolis, Minn.

The meet, which was televised live on the Big Ten Network, began in the heavyweight division with sophomore Alan O'Donnell besting Eddie Phillips, 7-4. O'Donnell set the pace early in the bout with a takedown 11 seconds in, but would let Phillips escape two seconds later. The remainder of the period would remain scoreless and after O'Donnell chose down to start the second, he quickly earned an escape point at 14 seconds. Another MSU takedown halfway through the second, followed by an escape, would bring the match to 5-2 after two. Phillips, in the down postion, escapted 10 seconds in and would gain another point with a O'Donnell warning to close within one point. However, O'Donnell collected his third takedown with 11 seconds remaining to seal the bout, 7-4, and give MSU an early 3-0 team lead.

After Michigan tied the meet at three with a decision at 125 pounds, No. 4 Franklin Gomez continued his dominance this season with his 12th-straight victory and fourth technical fall of the season. Gomez, who improves to 25-1 on the season, ended his bout with Chris Diehl at 3:55 with a 16-1 technical fall. A takedown in the first 18 seconds was followed by three near fall points and a pair of two-point near falls in the opening 1:57 to open a 9-0 advantage. A quick escape gave Diehl his only point, but Gomez quickly followed with another takedown two seconds later. Gomez chose down to start the second and posted a reversal 18 seconds in. The match would end soon after as three near fall points capped his efforts at 3:55 in the bout.

The 8-3 Spartan lead gained by Gomez would be short-lived as Michigan won the next six bouts to put away Michigan State.

Senior Joe Williams would end the day on a high note, edging No. 19 Anthony Biondo, 4-3 at 197 pounds. A scoreless first two periods was followed by the No. 15 Williams starting the third down. He escaped 22 saeconds in for the first point, but Biondo responded with a takedown with 1:12 remaining in the bout to take a 2-1 lead. A second Biondo warning and a Williams escape within seconds of each other, gave Williams back the lead at 3-2 with 58 seconds left. Williams also was warned for a second time to tie the bout at three with 12 seconds left, but it would not cost the Spartan as he earned a riding time point for the 4-3 win, his 25th of the season.

MICHIGAN 24, MICHIGAN STATE 11
Sunday, Feb. 24, 2008
Ann Arbor, Mich. • Cliff Keen Arena

(Wt.) Decision
(HWT) Alan O'Donnell (MSU) dec. Eddie Phillips (U-M), 7-4
(125) Michael Watts (U-M) dec. Clint Frutiger (MSU), 4-1
(133) No. 4 Franklin Gomez (MSU) dec. Chris Diehl (U-M) TF 16-1 (3:55)
(141) No. 6 Kellen Russell (U-M) dec. Jeff Wimberley, 9-5
(149) No. 4 Josh Churella (U-M) maj dec. Eddie Skowneski (MSU), 16-3
(157) No. 15 Jeff Marsh (U-M) dec. John Fulger (MSU), 9-2
(165) No. 3 Eric Tannenbaum (U-M) maj dec. Rex Kendle (MSU), 18-6
(174) No. 2 Steve Luke (U-M) maj dec. John Murphy (MSU), 11-3
(184) No. 3 Tyrel Todd (U-M) dec. Nick Palmieri (MSU), 8-3
(197) No. 15 Joe Williams (MSU) dec. No. 19 Anthony Biondo (U-M), 4-3