Wrestling overloaded at 125-pound class

By Nathan Linsley

Daily Sports Writer

Michigan wrestling coach Joe McFarland is in a predicament that all coaches want to be in.

The most highly acclaimed recruit in the history of the program, Chris Rodrigues, signed with the Wolverines last year before his senior season. He finished his high school career with four Georgia state championships and three prep national championships. Rodrigues also won the Outstanding Wrestler Award at prep nationals his sophomore and senior year.

Because of his prep success, many expected Rodrigues to have immediate impact on a squad that finished fifth in the Big Ten and 13th in the nation last season.

But with returning NCAA qualifier A.J. Grant at 125 pounds, McFarland found himself with a decision to make.

With Grant's progress from last season and his determination to be the premier 125-pounder in the Big Ten, Rodrigues will most likely redshirt this season.

"It will be a good year for Chris to develop a bit, and get acclimated," McFarland said.

Possible injuries and other circumstances dictate that the plans to redshirt Rodrigues are not set in stone.

"That's what I'd like to do," McFarland said. "That doesn't always happen."

The chance for the two teammates to practice together and wrestle against each other should be valuable in the years to come.

"I want depth in my weight classes, and I want competition in my weight classes," McFarland said. "Great wrestlers make other wrestlers great."

The highly anticipated lineup with Rodrigues at 125, preseason top-national wrestler Otto Olsen at 174 and highly touted redshirt freshman Foley Dowd at 133 will be put on hold.

With Olsen petitioning for another year of eligibility for next season and Rodrigues joining the lineup, Michigan could be a national contender next year.

The Wolverines, ranked No. 7 in the nation by Intermat and No. 9 by the Amateur Wrestling News, should be a solid team with or without Rodrigues.

As a true freshman last year, Grant finished fifth in the Big Ten, qualifying for the NCAA tournament. He was named one of the top five freshmen wrestlers for his weight class after finishing the season strong, winning two matches at NCAAs.

After a great offseason, Grant is ready to make a run at the conference championship. His attitude to this point has shown the coaching staff that he expects to pick up where he left off last year.

"I expect big things from A.J. this year, and he expects big things from himself, as well," McFarland said. "He really has come a long way from last year."