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Wrestlers rally past Chippewas

Go big or stay home.

If wrestling was as simple as that, Michigan (5-4) might well be on its way to a national title.

On Friday night against an inferior Central Michigan team, the upper weight classes dominated the overmatched Chippewas (2-4), sweeping the final five matches.

However, the lower weight classes proved to be a weakness for the No. 13 Wolverines as wrestlers under 158-lbs. dropped four of the first five decisions.

Michigan coach Dale Bahr acknowledged the trend in Michigan wrestling to load up talent in the heavier weight classes while the lighter weight classes remain out of the spotlight.

"That has been our history in recent years," Bahr said. "The lower classes have to step up. They need to get better and they need to wrestle better."

Friday's event opened with a close 4-3 victory by Central's Davon Gray over Michigan's Joe Warren at 118-lbs. Warren, a freshman, has been successful so far this season, compiling a 14-9 record.

After Wolverine sophomore Brandon Howe (126) won a convincing 9-2 decision over Chippewa Brian Maksimowski, the meet was tied at three.

However, freshman Corey Grant (134), junior Drew Pullen (142) and freshman Jeff Reese (150) dropped the following three matches for Michigan, placing the Wolverines at a 12-3 disadvantage.

But this lead was short-lived. Michigan sophomore Bill Lacure (158) set the tone for the remaining matches by scoring four points on a major decision over Ken Rumps, 14-3.

After a win by sophomore Jeff Catrabone at 167, senior captain Jesse Rawls Jr. (177) also recorded a major decision for the Wolverines over Armin Michelson, 19-5.

Another bright spot for Michigan was senior Lanre Olabisi's 8-2 win over Mike Mikesell at 190. In filling in for the injured Frank Lodeserto, Olabisi recorded his first career dual meet victory and put the Wolverines ahead for good.

"That was a nice win for us," Bahr said. "We needed some backup at 190 and heavyweight, and we needed him."

Rounding out the competition was a 3-1 overtime victory by Michigan sophomore Airron Richardson over Rollie Ferris.

The consensus opinion following the meet was that Michigan must improve in the lower weight classes to stay competitive in a Big Ten conference that features 11 teams ranked in the top 25.

"We're not going to win very many matches in the Big Ten if we don't win two of the first four matches," Bahr said. "I knew we would have problems in that area."

Catrabone, who turned in a typically strong performance to improve his dual meet record to 9-0, agreed with his coach.

"A lot of our lower classes need to work harder," Catrabone said. "Real good teams are going to take advantage of this weakness."

Bahr also indicated that inexperience was a factor in the early losses.

"We've got four new people in those weight classes," Bahr said. "Three of those are freshmen."

Rawls was optimistic that the lower weight classes would contribute more to the team in time.