Wrestlers split in Great Lakes state

By CHRIS ANTONACCI
Collegian Staff Writer

Lately, as Nate Parker fares, so does the Penn State wrestling team.

Yesterday in East Lansing, Mich., Parker decisioned No. 3 Spartan Pat McNamara in a huge upset to lead the No. 10 Nittany Lions to a 25-14 victory against No. 23 Michigan State.

But Friday it was a different story.

In a valiant effort against No. 6 Wolverine Joe Warren, Parker was tied 4-4 going into the second period before succumbing to a pin. The Lions fell to No. 9 Michigan in Ann Arbor, Mich., 20-19.

A bright spot for Penn State (12-5, 5-3 Big Ten) this weekend was the performance of 165-pounder Alex Leykikh. Leykikh pinned Spartan Matt Koyl yesterday, continuing the success he enjoyed Friday when he also pinned Michigan's Jason Rawls to start the dual meet.

But his pin against Rawls went for naught.

Following Leykikh, No. 2 Lion 174-pounder Glenn Pritzlaff suffered a 9-4 decision at the hands of No. 5 Wolverine Otto Olson, squashing Penn State's momentum. Andy Hrovat followed Olson's performance, decisioning Lion Andrew Butville, 5-3.

Penn State responded with the score deadlocked 6-6. Brett Calabretta, Mark Janus and No. 2 Jeremy Hunter won three straight decisions for Penn State, giving the Lions a 15-6 lead. Hunter edged out No. 8 Chris Viola with a takedown with 35 seconds remaining in the match. Viola eventually escaped and almost took the All-American, 125-pound wrestler down in an upset as time expired.

But Penn State went on to struggle.

After Parker was pinned 30 seconds into the second period, No. 5 Wolverine Damion Logan technical falled Mark Bost 22-7. No. 15 Corey Grant edged Lion 149-pounder Biff Walizer 2-0 in a heated battle. Grant garnered a point with an escape in the second period and won the second point with riding time advantage. Walizer was nearly awarded two takedowns in the match.

With his team trailing 20-15, No. 3 Clint Musser would need at least a technical fall to give Penn State a tie. Unfortunately for Penn State, Musser notched takedown after takedown but was unable to earn back points. He settled for a 19-7 major decision against Charles Martelli to end the match.

"Overall, we wrestled pretty well this weekend," Penn State coach Troy Sunderland said. "With Michigan, we lost some big bonus points. . . . That cost us big."

But Penn State would not be denied yesterday.

Parker's upset was complimented with Leykikh's pin, putting the Lions in a favorable position for victory.

Add in a pin by Hunter 44 seconds into his match with Michigan State's Chris Williams, and victory was pretty much assured for the Lions.

Pritzlaff fought another tough battle this weekend, but this time he was successful. The All-American decisioned No. 14 Spartan Will Hill 4-2 in overtime.

"(The Michigan match is) a match we should have won," Sunderland said. "I was pretty pleased with the way we wrestled all weekend. I thought we out-wrestled both teams."

With the meets against Michigan and Michigan State behind it, Penn State has finished its dual meet season. It will have this week off, but will go to Michigan again next weekend for the Big Ten Championships.

Afterward, the Lions will complete their season with the NCAA Tournament, which will be held March 18-20 in The Bryce Jordan Center.