Michigan State Holds Off Eastern Michigan, 18-16

HEAVYWEIGHT CHRIS NASH RECORDS A MAJOR DECISION IN THE LAST BOUT TO SECURE THE WIN FOR THE SPARTANS.

YPSILANTI, Mich. - Spartan heavyweight Chris Nash recorded a 17-5 major decision over Eastern Michigan's Gage Hutchison in the last match of the dual to secure Michigan State's 18-16 victory against the Eagles Friday night at the Convocation Center.

In a back-and-forth dual that featured five lead changes, the Spartans (4-7) found themselves down 13-4 after the first five matches, but they came storming back to win four of the next five to win for the 17th time against the Eagles in 19 meetings.

Mitch Rogaliner got things started for Michigan State with a dominating 15-3 major decision over Blake Caudill at 125 pounds.

The Eagles (7-7) bounced back to win the next four bouts, including three consecutive by one point, which were all decided by riding time. Vincent Pizzuto edged Hermilo Esquivel at 133 pounds, 9-8, Michael Shaw beat Terry Turner, 6-5, at 141, and Nick Barber topped Nick Trimble at 149, 5-4. In the 157-pound match, Kaelan Richards, who has wrestled at 149 all season long, moved up one division but dropped a major decision to Brandon Zeerip, 18-5.

Roger Wildmo got MSU back on track with a 12-4 major decision against Devan Murray at 165 pounds, which included 4:23 of riding time. Wildmo, who placed third at the Purple Raider Open last weekend, has won five of his last six matches and leads the team with 15 victories.

Nick Proctor continued his winning ways at 174, notching his fourth dual victory in a row, this time with a last-second takedown against Kayne McCallum to win 3-1.

John Rizqallah put the Spartans back on top at 14-13 with his 3-0 shutout of Mike Curby at 184 pounds.

The lead was short lived, however, as Nick McDiarmid fell in a narrow 3-1 decision at 197 on a last-second takedown to Anthony Abro, setting up the decisive Nash-Hutchison match at heavyweight.

For Nash, he improved his overall record to 10-4 this season with his 17-5 major decision over Hutchison and delivered his second dual win in a row following a 7-4 win over Ohio State's Ray Gordon last Friday.

Michigan State returns to action Sunday, Jan. 25 when it hosts No. 17 Wisconsin at 1 p.m. in Jenison Field House.

Michigan State 18, Eastern Michigan 16
125: Mitch Rogaliner (MSU) major dec. Blake Caudill (EMU), 15-3. MSU leads, 4-0
133: Vincent Pizzuto (EMU) dec. Hermilo Esquivel (MSU), 9-8. MSU leads, 4-3
141: Michael Shaw (EMU) dec. Terry Turner (MSU), 6-5. EMU leads, 6-4
149: Nick Barber (EMU) dec. Nick Trimble (MSU), 5-4. EMU leads, 9-4
157: Brandon Zeerip (EMU) major dec. Kaelan Richards (MSU), 18-5. EMU leads, 13-4
165: Roger Wildmo (MSU) major dec. Devan Marry (EMU), 12-4. EMU leads, 13-8
174: Nick Proctor (MSU) dec. Kayne McCallum (EMU), 4-2. EMU leads, 13-11
184: John Rizqallah (MSU) dec. Mike Curby (EMU), 3-0. MSU leads, 14-13
197: Anthony Abro (EMU) dec. Nick McDiarmid (MSU), 3-1. EMU leads, 16-14
285: Chris Nash (MSU) major dec. Gage Hutchison (EMU), 17-5. MSU wins, 18-16

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