Big matchups on tap for grapplers

By Jeb Singer

Daily Sports Writer

The schedule of the No. 8 Michigan wrestling team this year suggests that it is a growing empire. Over the weekend of Dec. 8-9, the team claimed state dominance, topping Michigan State 22-12 and Central Michigan 37-0.

"This is the best Michigan team that I've seen in my tenure," 11-year Michigan State coach Tom Minkel said.

Now it's time for the Wolverines to take their show on the road. Michigan wrestles at No. 7 Lehigh tonight and at No. 20 Pennsylvania tomorrow. Winning both matches would essentially give Michigan bragging rights over the best teams in the mid-Atlantic. But this will not be an easy task.

"We are facing two of the best teams in the country," Michigan coach Joe McFarland said. "They will be up for it. Any team worthy of themselves will be."

The most exciting thing about a match like tonight's is the big matchups that exist up and down the lineup. Michigan wrestlers such as 184-pound All-American Andy Hrovat believe that they have something to prove. Hrovat trained with last year's 197-pound NCAA runner-up Zach Thompson of Iowa State while he was at home over winter break. The two were prep teammates.

"I would rather wrestle a top wrestler any day of the week," Hrovat said. "I believe I can wrestle with anyone in the nation."

The 16th-ranked Hrovat will be facing seventh-ranked Rob Rohn in their third match over the last 12 months. Hrovat beat Rohn 8-2 at the Virginia Duals last January. The eighth-seeded Hrovat was upset by Rohn 6-5 in last year's national championships.

"Andy has payback," McFarland said. "I think he gets up for it. His intensity level rises."

According to the rankings, Lehigh is favored in six of the 10 matchups. Key matches will include Michigan's 16th-ranked Mike Kulczycki against 4th-ranked Dave Esposito and Michigan's 17th-ranked Joe Degain against 4th-ranked John Trenge.

"We are going to have to win some close ones," McFarland said. "Dave (Esposito) is a great wrestler but so is Mike. Bonus points will be crucial."

This team matchup is too close to predict, and the Wolverines are not intimidated by the rankings.

"I look at them just as motivation," Hrovat said. "I just get mad when I'm not up there. I'm just as good as all the guys up there."