Into the fire, Martelli goes to work By Dan Williams Daily Sports Writer Michigan wrestler Charles Martelli was thrown into the fire in his first weekend of wrestling, and he got burned. On Sunday, Central Michigan's fifth-ranked Ryan Cunningham scored a fall against Martelli by pinning his shoulder to the mat, the ultimate defeat in wrestling. This followed a major decision loss for Martelli to Pennsylvania's third ranked Rick Springman Saturday. But nobody lost respect for the sophomore after the two tough losses. "Everybody understood the circumstances," Michigan coach Joe McFarland said. "They were very supportive of him." The circumstances were that the instant All-American Otto Olson's knee popped, Martelli went from being a 165-pound wrestler planning to red-shirt to the team's starting 174-pound wrestler. He had a week to prepare for seeing his first action of the year, moving up a weight class, and competing against some of the nation's top competition. "It was unexpected," Martelli said. "It was something no one thought could happen to the best wrestler in the nation, especially at this point in the year. No one is going to fill Otto's shoes, but I will just do what I can." The season thrust upon Martelli didn't get off to a satisfying start, but there were positives. Martelli kept it close against Cunningham until the third period and even recorded a take down. "I knew it was early in my season and it had been a while since I competed," Martelli said. "But it was frustrating. I got caught. (Cunningham) just capitalized on one big mistake I made." Martelli's toughest weekend is likely behind him. He's not feeling sorry for himself, and with some hard work, better days are probably on the horizon. "I know I could compete with that caliber of opponent," Martelli said, "I'm still excited because it was only the beginning for me." The main task this week for Martelli is getting settled in at his new weight. A number of changes had to be made. Besides increased weight lifting, he has added extra nuts, chicken, protein bars and red meat to his diet. But opponents can't keep throwing top five opponents at him forever. Martelli is likely to face Northwestern's ninth ranked senior, Mark Bybee Friday, followed by a match against unranked Michigan State freshman John Wechter Sunday. He expects improved results as the season progresses. "I want to qualify for the national tournament and place in the Big Ten's," Martelli said. And McFarland's faith in his young wrestler remains unscathed. He realizes the predicament Martelli was placed into, and he recognizes a grappler with potential. "Everybody knows he's pretty tough," McFarland said. "He's going through an adjustment period, but he's had a great attitude about the whole thing. I know he has given everything he has. I'm going to support him all the way through this." frustrating. I got caught. (Cunningham) just capitalized on one big mistake I made." Martelli's toughest weekend is likely behind him. He's not feeling sorry for himself, and with some hard work, better days are probably on the horizon. "I know I could compete with that caliber of opponent," Martelli said, "I'm still excited because it was only the beginning for me." The main task this week for Martelli is getting settled in at his new weight. A number of changes had to be made. Besides increased weight lifting, he has added extra nuts, chicken, protein bars and red meat to his diet. But opponents can't keep throwing top five opponents at him forever. Martelli is likely to face Northwestern's ninth ranked senior, Mark Bybee Friday, followed by a match against unranked Michigan State freshman John Wechter Sunday. He expects improved results as the season progresses. "I want to qualify for the national tournament and place in the Big Ten's," Martelli said. And McFarland's faith in his young wrestler remains unscathed. He realizes the predicament Martelli was placed into, and he recognizes a grappler with potential. "Everybody knows he's pretty tough," McFarland said. "He's going through an adjustment period, but he's had a great attitude about the whole thing. I know he has given everything he has. I'm going to support him all the way through this." Originally on page 9A in the 1-19-2000 issue of the Daily.