Wrestling Preview 2/11/11 - 2/13/11

Submitted by AceUofMer on

HUGE weekend for the Wolverines. 4-1 in the Big Ten with only two undefeated teams left, both of which they wrestle this weekend. Winning both would put them in line to share the Big Ten dual crown. Some preview bullet points for the weekend:

  • Prove your rank – #1 Kellen Russell takes on #2 and #3.
  • Hold your own – Sean Boyle and Hunter Collins both look like they find themselves overmatched in both matches, at least on paper.  Will be interesting to see how they hold up.
  • Step up time – Dan Yates, Justin Zeerip, and Ben Apland have tough but doable tasks this weekend. I expect all 3 to make a serious push at going 2-0. For Justin in particular, its time to show he deserves to be a ranked wrestler.
  • Take care of business – Freshmen Eric Grajales is a popular topic among wrestling fans as far as expectations on the year.  This weekend he’s set up with 2 should be wins.  Nothing short of those 2 wins should be tolerated.

#5 Minnesota @ #10 Michigan

Friday 7:00pm  (can watch online at BigTenNetwork.com)

Big, realistic chance for Michigan to shoot up the rankings when they host Minnesota.  This should be a tightly contested dual with a couple key matches that could swing matches and a headliner match with #1 and #2 at 141. I have down 5 true swing matches that I think will decide the dual. (133,141,165,174,285)

  • 125 – Sean Boyle(So) vs#5 Zach Sanders(Jr)  Tough matchup for Boyle, but, he’s wrestled pretty good of late and I expect him to keep in the match.  Prediction: Minn by 3
  • 133 - #20 Zac Stevens(Jr) vs David Thorn(Fr)  David Thorn, the younger brother of Mike is starting to turn it on a little. I would label this a swing match, but, expect Stevens to pull it off as the more experienced wrestler.  Prediction:  Mich by 3
  • 141 - #1 Kellen Russell(Jr) vs #2 Mike Thorn(Sr)  Match of the night. Russell won this one earlier in the year in a close one, but, Thorn has wrestled tough since.  Russell will slow it down and try to frustrate him in hopes to find a way to win it in the end.  A swing match here.  I would say Thorn is wrestling his best of the year right now and can’t say the same for Russell. I still think Russell finds a way though.  Prediction:  Mich by 3
  • 149 – Eric Grajales(Fr) vs David Zilverberg(Fr)  Grajales takes on another Freshmen and is favored to win. It won’t be an easy win, but, I would call it a big loss if Michigan doesn’t pick this one up.  Prediction:  Mich by 3
  • 157 - Brandon Zeerip(Fr) vs Joe Grygelko(Jr)  Big chance for Michigan. Zeeri should cruise here and be looking for bonus points.  This is one of Minnesota’s glaring weaknesses and Brandon needs to rebound from a disappointing showing his last time out and get ranked again.  Prediction:  Mich by 4
  • 165 - #19 Dan Yates(Fr) vs #11 Cody Yohn(So)  My first thought is to hope Yates keeps this close.  But, I would like to see him make a real run at winning this match.  I think he’s slowly turning a corner in his Freshmen year and hope he can start showing it this weekend, starting here.                   Prediction:  Minn by 3
  • 174 – Justin Zeerip(Jr) vs #12 Scott Glasser(Sr)  Zeerip just upset a guy that beat Glasser the week before.  I’ve thought Zeerip would be ranked this week since he’s wrestling his best of the year right now.  I think he is going to prove something here.  Prediction:  Mich by 3
  • 184 – Hunter Collins(So) vs #9 Kevin Steinhaus(Fr)  I hope the good Hunter Collins shows up here.  He has the ability to be competitive and keep this match close.  Prediction:  Minn by 3
  • 197 - #11 Anthony Biondo(Sr) vs Joe Nord(Sr)  Minnesota has been rolling with their backup here most the season in Nord.  Nord has been overmatched all year and Biondo has an opportunity to put some bonus points on the board.  We haven’t seen it out of him this year, but, It would be nice to attack this weight.  Prediction:  Mich by 3
  • 285 - #10 Ben Apland(So) vs #8 Tony Nelson(Fr)  Good matchup here and another swing match.  Apland needs to wrestle smart and under control.  Apland is coming off 2 good periods and 1 very bad one in his last match.  Prediction:  Minn by 3

Final Team Score Prediction: Michigan-19   Minnesota-12

#10 Michigan @ #2 Iowa

Sunday 1:00pm CST  (can watch online at BigTenNetwork.com)

Excited for this one.  Wish it was at home and a big deal could be made out of it, because its going to be decided on a lot of closely contested swing matches.  (141, 165, 174, 197, 285) I’m not optimistic about most of them, especially being in Iowa and the way Iowa has turned it on of late. 165 and 174 stand out to me as two uphill swing match battles that will see if the Wolverines can make a dual of it, or fall off.

  • 125 – Sean Boyle vs #1 Matt McDonough(So)  I would rather be anyone but Boyle in this match. McDonough is on a pin streak of 4.  Boyle will have his work cut out for him and needs to do whatever he can to slow things down and limit the damage.  This is the biggest advantage margin for either team in favor of Iowa.  Prediction: Iowa by 4
  • 133 - #20 Zac Stevens vs #8 Tony Ramos(Fr)  Ramos is the second favored hawkeye to look for bonus points.  He’s wrestling above his #8 ranking.  Stevens wrestled PSU’s Long tough last time out (someone Ramos upset) yet still gave up a major.  Hopefully he limits Iowa here.  Prediction: Iowa by 3
  • 141 - #1 Kellen Russell vs #3 Montell Marion(Jr)  First swing match and for the second time this weekend, Rusell finds himself in the spotlight match.  Iowa recently let Marion back into the lineup and it quickly jumpstarted them.  He’s the opposite style of Russell and will look to keep the pace up.  I think his time off gives Russell the edge here.  Prediction: UM by 3
  • 149 – Eric Grajales vs Mark Ballweg(So)  Last dual Iowa went with the older Ballweg brother Matt with not good results.  The younger Mark’s knock is being undersized, but, he’s probably their best option.  Works out good for Grajales, since he’s undersized as well.  Iowa is weak here, so Grajales needs to deliver.  Prediction: UM by 3
  • 157 - Brandon Zeerip vs #7 Derek St. John(Fr)  This could be a swing match as I think Zeerip can compete with St. John. However, St. John is really turning it on and becoming a big piece of Iowa’s surge.  Prediction: Iowa by 3
  • 165 - #19 Dan Yates vs #13 Aaron Janssen(Sr)  If Michigan wants to win this dual, they’re going to need a match like this to go their way.  It’s a higher ranked guy, a senior and at Iowa, so he’s up against it, but, its one of those matches they need to grab.  Prediction: Iowa by 3
  • 174 – Justin Zeerip vs #11 Ethen Lofthouse(Fr)  This will be a good one.  Like I’ve said, I think Zeerip can wrestle with the likes of Lofthouse and win.  Lofthouse is a Freshmen and Zeerip is one of the leaders of Michigan’s team.  This is back to back matches Michigan needs to pull it off.    Prediction: Iowa by 3
  • 184 – Hunter Collins vs #12 Grant Gambrall(So)  Tough matchup for Collins.  Can’t see him pulling this one off, but, certainly need to keep it close.  Prediction: Iowa by 3
  • 197 - #11 Anthony Biondo vs #8 Luke Lofthouse(Sr)  Senior vs Senior.  Biondo needs a defining moment at Michigan and here is a chance.  Would be a big win and honestly, a surprising one for me if he pulled it off.  Pleasant surprise.  Prediction: Iowa by 3
  • 285 - #10 Ben Apland vs Blake Rasing(Jr)  This one will be closer then it looks like it could.  Rasing has shown he can wrestle with anyone.  Apland has mixed flashes of impressive wrestling with stupid wrestling.  He needs to clean it up and he’ll be a national contender.  Prediction: UM by 3

Final Team Score Prediction:   Michigan-9   Iowa-22

Another weekend that looks like it starts off with a lot of promise, just to crash back down to earth with the fact they just aren’t there yet.  This is a good young group that, if they overachieve, can have the success we want to see.  Only good things are ahead in the future as well, but, I still think the program needs to make more strides then just riding what looks like a good thing.  Because, lets face it, they’re not at that very top level yet.  The good is the Wisconsin and hopefully Minnesota dual can show they are next in line to be invited.

Let me know your thoughts on the matchups and the program. Tricks, I know you’ve followed them a lot.  How do things look  this weekend and at the program level to you?  

Comments

Cope

February 10th, 2011 at 10:16 PM ^

Is he a scholarship wrestler? Does Grygelko have more high pressure match experience? I'd assume those aren't the issues and it's just a coaching perception issue, but I'm interested. I've been out of the sport for a few years, so perhaps you could fill me in if you know anything.

MichFan1997

February 11th, 2011 at 3:38 AM ^

My friend is a walk-on and Grygelko isn't. IMO, that's the difference. Bitter? Yes. I know how hard my friend worked to be a Minnesota wrestler. I was with him during the HS seasons when i biked in freezing cold temps while he worked out because he "needed to train harder" at 1 am. So if one guy is on scholly and one isn't, that lineup spot should still go to the more capable athlete, scholarship or not.

In case you were wondering what school we are from, we are Richmond through and through. I'm an assistant coach there now. And I'm telling you, this kid, if he had the natural ability of Metcalf, would be a 4x national champ. That's how hard he works.

MGoShoe

February 10th, 2011 at 8:00 PM ^

...very well done, but I recommend you make the diaries vice MGoBoard items.

On the board, it will quickly disappear onto the 2nd or 3rd page depending on how many recruiting or transfer rumors are posted. As a diary, it will stay visible until the duals take place and can also serve as a comment space during the events (especially now that many of the duals are being live streamed).

I enjoy your work and encourage you to keep it up.

Cope

February 10th, 2011 at 9:37 PM ^

I'm a former wrestler who attended many of the home duals for a six or seven year period through the Jeff Catrabone, Joe Warren, and Andy Hrovat eras (among many others). Traveled to wrestling nationals four or five years to watch the tournament. Considered wrestling for Joe before going into coaching out of high school. I'm really excited to see these updates and even more so that after a tough stretch we're winning again! Keep it up. You have support here.

AceUofMer

February 11th, 2011 at 3:04 AM ^

Thanks.

Wish I could make it to more duals then I do.  The Big Ten Network is a dream to be able and catch some wrestling throughout the season.  Use to have to set the VCR for the 2am national championships once a year.

I accually officiated a freestyle exibition match at a dual a few years back that Hrovat wrestled in.  Real boring match, but, I made on the BTN, so there is my clame to fame.  He was a nice kid and the coaches are a great representation for the sport.

Blichty

February 10th, 2011 at 8:04 PM ^

Match will be a tough one for sure. A victory of Minnesota would make this a successful weekend either way though. The match of the weekend seems like Marion and Russell. The clash in styles alone is interesting, let alone the track record of these two animals.

sandiego

February 10th, 2011 at 10:47 PM ^

As a former Michigan walk-on wrestler (for 3 years), thanks for the previews.  I never get this kind of info on the west coast.

Question - are the 'point spreads' per individual match or team points?  I've never seen so many BigWhatever matches with 3-4 point spreads.  If I recall it was an occasional blow-out with mostly 1pt riding time or other minor decisions (less than 5pts).

AceUofMer

February 11th, 2011 at 2:57 AM ^

I just realized I worded this bad.  When I mention x team by 3 or 4, Im meaning they will get the 3 team points or 4 and so on, not how much they will win by in the match.  I should maybe say x team for 3 points.

on your thought though, I've never seen so many big wins in college wrestling then the past couple years.  Seems I never would see a pin back in the day.

The Claw

February 11th, 2011 at 8:26 AM ^

I see the Minnesota match as a 5-5 split.  Here's hoping for that bonus point so UM wins 16-15.

As for Iowa, we don't stand a chance.  Maybe in 2 years.  But it will be tough when we haven't got those top 10 recruits coming in on a yearly basis.  We need to recruit better to beat Iowa and Penn State.  But they are close to being competitive.  Just not this year.  I say 26-9.  Someone will get pinned.  But I do wish I'm wrong.

 

The Claw

February 13th, 2011 at 7:05 PM ^

Ugly results for both.  But Kellen Russel stays undefeated with two OT wins.  Way to go Kellen! 

One more dual against MSU then the Big Tens and Nationals.

 

125 -- #1 Matt McDonough (Iowa) pinned Sean Boyle, 3:56 Iowa, 6-0
133 -- #8 Tony Ramos (Iowa) dec. #19 Zac Stevens, 7-2 Iowa, 9-0
141 -- #1 Kellen Russell (U-M) dec. #3 Montell Marion, 9-5 SV Iowa, 9-3
149 -- Eric Grajales (U-M) major dec. Matt Ballweg, 13-3 Iowa, 9-7
157 - #7 Derek St. John (Iowa) dec. #20 Brandon Zeerip, 10-3 Iowa, 12-7
165 --#13 Aaron Janssen (Iowa) dec. #19 Dan Yates, 11-4 Iowa, 15-7
174 -- #11 Ethen Lofthouse (Iowa) dec. Justin Zeerip, 6-4 Iowa, 18-7
184 -- #12 Grant Gambrall (Iowa) dec. Hunter Collins, 9-6 Iowa, 21-7
197 -- #8 Luke Lofthouse (Iowa) dec. #11 Anthony Biondo, 7-3 Iowa, 24-7
Hwt -- Blake Rasing (Iowa) pinned #10 Ben Apland, 6:11 Iowa, 30-7

 

125 -- #5 Zach Sanders (Minn) pinned Sean Boyle, 4:49 Minn, 6-0
133 -- David Thorn (Minn) dec. #19 Zac Stevens, 11-7 Minn, 9-0
141 -- #1 Kellen Russell (U-M) dec. #2 Mike Thorn, 3-1 SV Minn, 9-3
149 -- Danny Zilverberg (Minn) dec. Eric Grajales, 4-3 Minn, 12-3
157 - #20 Brandon Zeerip (U-M) dec. Matt Mincey, 13-10 Minn, 12-6
165 --#11 Cody Yohn (Minn) dec. #19 Dan Yates, 10-6 Minn, 15-6
174 -- Justin Zeerip (U-M) dec. #12 Scott Glasser, 4-1 Minn, 15-9
184 -- #9 Kevin Steinhaus (Minn) major dec. Hunter Collins, 13-2 Minn, 19-9
197 -- #11 Anthony Biondo (U-M) dec. Joe Nord, 11-4 Minn, 19-12
Hwt -- #8 Tony Nelson (Minn) dec. #10 Ben Apland, 6-3 Minn, 22-12