Muskegon tourney all about experience

Assuming he avoids getting trapped in holds like this, Otto Olsen should be a major contributor for the Wolverines at this weekend's McMullen Open.

FILE PHOTO

By Chris Grandstaff
Daily Sports Writer

The younger half of the Michigan wrestling team hopes to gain some extra experience this weekend when it travels to Muskegon for the Ben McMullen Open.

The freshmen-and-sophomores-only event is an open tournament format, meaning the Wolverines will have to fend for themselves this weekend. Because of NCAA rules, collegiate athletes are not allowed any assistance from, or any affiliation to, respective schools for scrimmages.

Consequently, the Wolverines will be finding their own rides and paying their own ways this weekend - a relatively small price for the valuable experience the McMullen has to offer.

"The tournament gives our younger kids a chance to wrestle and get some experience," Michigan coach Dale Bahr said. "It also gives me a chance to see where we're at."

Where the Wolverines are is smack dab in the center of "the best wrestling conference in the country, bar none," Bahr said.

The Wolverines are looking to finish anywhere from fourth to sixth this year in the conference, chasing Penn State, Minnesota, and perennial national championship contender Iowa.

"Fourth place in this conference could mean we are in the top 10nationally," said Bahr. "We're a lot younger than last year's team after losing four All-Americans, but I think as a team you are only as strong as your weakest link, and we're pretty balanced."

The strength of the Wolverines this season will be in the first four or five weight classes.

"We have three players who could be ranked in the top eight of their classes nationally by Christmas in Joe Warren, Otto Olsen and Damian Logan."

Without Warren, Olsen, Logan and the rest of the upperclassmen, it seems obvious what Bahr's expectations are for this weekend.

"The goal is to gain experience and continue to come along so that we can challenge for fourth place in the conference. It will be fun to watch our younger players continue to improve week by week."

Bahr expects true freshman Andy Hrovat to lead the young grapplers into Muskegon this weekend. Hrovat is looking to improve upon his second-place finish in last weekend's Michigan State Open in the 184-pound division.

11-12-98