Wrestling Update in July
Early Look to Next Season
Offseason News
Michigan hired two new coaches. Sean Bormet and Donny Pritzlaff.
Sean Bormet – One of the nations top freestyle coaches who has been involved coaching with multiple world teams and was on the latest Olympic team staff. He holds the 2006, ’08 and ’10 USA Freestyle Coach of the Year titles. He’s a former Wolverine as well. 2 time All-American and 2 time Big Ten Champ while at Michigan. I think his strong freestyle experience will help draw interest of recruits nationwide. That Olympic style presence seems to have been missing.
Donny Pritzlaff – He is coming over from his associate head coach position at his alma matter, Wisconsin. He specialized with middleweights. The Badgers have been a surprise team the past few years, flying up the ranks. He served as the recruiting coordinator while they brought in 3 top 20 classes, including the #2 class in ’08 and #4 in ’11. He was a two time NCAA Champ and 3 time Big Ten Champ himself.
These are two big additions Michigan needed. With the Newer Wrestling Center and strong season, they needed something like this to continue the momentum.
2011 – 2012 Outlook
Key Losses: Anthony Biondo(197)
Returning Starters: Sean Boyle(125), Zac Stevens(133), Kellen Russell(141), Eric Grajales(149), Brandon Zeerip(157), Dan Yates(165), Justin Zeerip(174), Hunter Collins(184), Ben Apland(Hwt)
As you can see, Michigan returns almost the entire team that made a good run last year taking 5th in the Big Ten and 15th Nationally. Kellen Russell is the returning 141 NCAA Champion. I’d expect him to stay at 141. It created a tough spot for RS FR Grajales last year, since 141 would probably have suited him better. Grajales still managed Big Ten runner-up at 149 and should be a strong member for next year.
7 returners made the NCAA tournament last year with only a poor late showing from then FR Brandon Zeerip preventing an 8th.
Additions: Camryn Jackson (Lansing Eastern HS)
Jackson will redshirt IMO. He claimed his first State Championship as a senior this last year. A very athletic, but, raw wrestler that will need to get adjusted to college competition.
Michigan’s recruiting has not impressed for the 2010 or 2011 class with 0 top 150 kids and being ranked out of the top 25 both years. That can be turned around quickly with a strong 2012 that they have I commit already (Jordan Thomas ranked #22) and some more top talent they are eyeing.
Teams Michigan is Chasing
Iowa and Penn State were two young teams last year that will be plugging any losses with top talent again. Iowa’s recruiting has been the #1 class in 2010 and #20 last year. They also got a big transfer in that plugs their biggest hole right away. Penn State’s classes have been #2 in 2010 and #4 last year. Michigan was a noticeable step behind these programs and they haven’t done anything to show they are making up the difference.
Minnesota fell short of the Hawkeyes and Nittany Lions, but, were a clear #3 in the B1G. They will be looking to replace some lost senior leadership. They ranked #5 in 2010 and #15 last year in recruiting. If they stay healthy, they will keep themselves above Michigan.
Wisconsin survived on top individuals and not a strong team as showed by there loss to Michigan in the dual, but, higher placing in the tournament. They lose one B1G champ from last year that I think opens the door for Michigan to separate themselves from the Badgers. They have recruited well, but, no game changers that will make an immediate impact.
Newcomer Nebraska took 12th last year nationally, just above Michigan(15th). They lose some pieces, including the #1 wrestler in the nation, but, their recruiting (#7 in ’10, #2 in ’11) will help that out. They will be a good test for the Wolverines. To bad they don’t dual with us next year.
Northwestern has been a solid team of late. They had a #3 recruiting class in 2010. The losses they take this year will be too much to keep up.
Look for Ohio State to make some big strides. They took 8th last year in the B1G. Injuries hit them hard with some incoming freshmen. Taking a look at their recruiting and you’ll see they have the talent. 2009 class - #11, 2010 class - #8, 2011 class - #1. How all these unknowns work out determines their season.
Conclusion
Michigan is working with a strong returning team. They just haven’t been able to string together enough things to compete for team championships. Kellen Russell(141) will anchor this group. Justin Zeerip(174) needs to put together the senior season he is capable of. After that, I look at Eric Gajales(149) and Brandon Zeerip(157) to be able to big players. Boyle(125), Stevens(133), Yates(165) and Apland(Hwt) need to be consistent pieces to have success. Hunter Collins(184) was last years weak point. He needs to take a big step forward. 197 will be filled by either Matt Hart(RS FR) or Max Huntley(RS FR). Huntley comes from powerhouse Blair Academy and has a decent HS profile.
The Wolverines lose key guys after this year (Russell, J. Zeerip and Stevens). So it’s important they make the most of this roster. After this, recruiting needs to improve and quickly. I would like to see them push Minnesota for the 3rd place spot, but, I don’t know if they are capable of it. My worry is that any slip-up opens the door for a line of 4 or 5 solid teams capable of passing them up. I am penciling them in early at 4th.
Personal Note: I enjoyed updating on the Wrestling Team last year and was sorry to cut it short for family reasons which I can’t thank the MGO community enough for their thoughts and prayers for us. Things have progressed well in that area and I’m excited for another good wrestling season.
2 Questions:
1) whay the down turn recently? it seemed like they were doing really well recruiting 2-3 years ago, but nothing seems to have developed from that and subsequent classes have not been up to par (as you stated)
2) relatedly, who got replaced? and why the change in staff?
to question 1, I don't think anyone knows why. especially after building the best practice facility in the nation. Q2. Kirk Trost and Mike K. (not going to butcher his name) were both fired. Each had been there 5-6 years, in Trost's case like 15 and he was a national champ at hwt. Coach said he thought they were falling behind the the B1G opponents and needed a shake up. Especially in recruiting, which both new guys are supposed to be all star recruiters. So maybe Q2 really answers Q1?
Awesome as always. Recruiting is their #1 need IMO. Then their wrestlers wrestlung up to their potential is #2 (hello Justin Zeerip). Get some studs for next year including Taylor Massa abd we'll be alright.
Awesome as always. Recruiting is their #1 need IMO. Then their wrestlers wrestlung up to their potential is #2 (hello Justin Zeerip). Get some studs for next year including Taylor Massa abd we'll be alright.
Massa would be huge. Here is another one. For the '13 class. Ben Whitford. Recently went out to Illinois to wrestle at Marmion Academy. Rumors he's moving back to Michigan, maybe to the same school as Massa. Family is big Michigan Fans. He's the ranked 3rd at 130 on intermat with the top two already graduates. I have no inside info other then that. But, for some reason, I could see that happening.
Any idea as to which way Massa might be leaning? He isnt too far from CMU, and Ive seen that they have done very well lately in recruiting, and St. John's isnt too far from E Lansing either.
It'd be great to get the top guy in the country (at least according to D1CW).
coach at a State Championship school in Michigan. Our head coach knows the MSU coaches and says they already have the feeling that Massa is going to break their hearts (St. John's is pretty much a stone's throw from East Lansing). We'll see how it plays out.
Break their hearts and head to the enemies (us)? Or just NOT go to MSU?
either way, i'd bet he doesn't go to MSU
Kirk Trost and Mike Kulczycki were replaced. Trost had been there 23 years. The program needed a shakeup in some way. These were good guys that will probably still hang around.
Bormet and Pritzlaff are well respected guys nationally. I really think you need coaches that have made or are making an impact in wrestling outside of the program.
Michigan has been stale in that reguard and in turn, I think recruits look first in other areas. Look at the jump Penn State has made by just bringing in Cael Sanderson. That area had a lot of talent and now they are flocking to PSU because they want to work with him. Not just as a member of Penn State, but, for any world team and oylmpic dreams.
Is Penn State setting the new standard for wrestling in the country? While most schools cut wrestling programs due to Title Nine horse excrement, PSU has been, in my mind, squeeze out the rest of the PA wrestling schools.
<br>-Chet
senior class to come out of Michigan in a long long time coming up this year. F-Rod is already committed to MSU and Thomas to UM. Massa is going to be the #1 recruit in the country this year. He's from a town near MSU, but there have been rumblings that he's definately not going to end up in East Lansing. We'll see.
thanks for the wrastlin news. keep it coming.
Nor didI have much interest....I did watch the B1G championships, though, and it was great sport. I'll be carving out some time to watch. (then again I think the Tour de France is one of the truly great sporting events of the year).
Could someone please explain the scholarship situation witht he wrestling team? For instance, some guys have quarter scholarships (or used to at least). How many schollies is the team allowed, for instance?
D-1 Programs get 9.9 Scholarships that the coach can allocate however he see's fit. They take into acount how "in need" certain kids are from others when deciding on percentages. Bottom line is these athletes are most likely pitching in a share.
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