The Northern Illinois University wrestling team turned in a solid performance in its first tournament of the season, winning three of eight weight classes at the Michigan State Open on Sunday.
"We worked really hard this fall," NIU coach Dave Grant said. "It paid off today. We had a really good attitude going into the tournament. I'm really pleased with the way the guys performed. Our guys wrestled hard. That's what we keyed on"
Sophomore Steve Zimmerman won all five of his matches to take home the title at 149 pounds, posting an 8-7 decision over Michigan State's David Cheza in the championship match. Freshman Curtis Blaydes made a good impression in his first collegiate tournament, winning four matches en route to the title of the freshman/sophomore division at 285. Blaydes scored a 4-3 victory over Roger McCovey of North Idaho in the title match.
Junior Patrick McLemore had three victories, including a pin over Indiana's Danny Monaco, at 141. His opponent in the finals, Germane Lindsey of Ohio University, was unable to compete due to injury and McLemore was awarded the victory.
Tristen DeShazer, ranked No. 20 in the nation, lost his match at 133 pounds, falling to the No. 1 wrestler and 2009 National Champion, Franklin Gomez of Michigan State, 6-0. Bryan Deutsch also faced a nationally ranked wrestler, falling to Indiana's Kurt Kinser, who is ranked 12th in the country, 6-1. Sophomore Izzy Montemayor had a good run at 125, defeating the Spartans' Eric Olanowski, 3-2 and Richard Alarcon of the Citadel, 6-5, before losing a tough bout to Jordan Keller of Cleveland State, 6-5.
Other notable performances came from freshman Zach Benzio and senior Dan Ruettiger. Benzio and Ruettiger posted victories in third-place matches at the freshman/sophomore division at 184 and 149 respectively. Benzio was particularly impressive winning four of his five matches, all by pin.
The Huskies return to the mat, Saturday, Nov. 28 when NIU travels to Bloomington, Ind. to compete in the Indiana Duals, its final tune up before the Showcase Meet, which will be held Thursday, Dec. 3 vs. Northwestern at the Convocation Center. Tickets for the Showcase Meet are $5 for adults and $3 for children under 17 and available by calling 815-752-6800 or by logging onto www.niuhuskies.com.
FRESH/SOPH 133
1st Place Match
Dan Osterman (MSU) won by injury default over Kevin Fanta (NIU)
FRESH/SOPH 197
1st Place Match
Kyle Sanders (Ohio) pin Trevor Parlberg (NIU), 2:08
FRESH/SOPH 285
1st Place Match
Curtis Blaydes (NIU) dec. Roger McCovey (North Idaho), 4-3
OPEN 125
1st Place Match
Jordan Keller (Cleveland State) dec. Izzy Montemayor (NIU), 6-5
OPEN 133
1st Place Match
Franklin Gomez (MSU) dec. Tristen DeShazer (NIU), 6-0
OPEN 141
1st Place Match
Patrick McLemore (NIU) won by injury default over Germane Lindsey (Ohio)
OPEN 149
1st Place Match
Steve Zimmerman (NIU) dec. David Cheza (MSU), 8-7
OPEN 157
1st Place Match
Kurt Kinser (Indiana) dec. Bryan Deutsch (NIU), 6-1
