April 14, 2007
2007 Franklin Spring Showdown (Franklin High School, WI)
Marquette University finally returned from their leave of absence
from the wrestling scene last weekend (due to several conflicts).
On Saturday, April 14, 2007, a couple of Marquette wrestlers
attended the annual Franklin Spring Showdown, an "old-timer" tournament that attracts wrestling talent from around Wisconsin
and surrounding states. Kendall Smith (157), who sat the majority of the 2006-2007 season out due to injury, stepped
back onto the mat for the event, giving nothing short of an impressive performance. In his first match, he lost
by decision to a wrestler from UW-Whitewater. In his following bout, he bounced back and defeated a UWM opponent by
pin. Upon qualifying for the 3rd place final, he soundly defeated by major decision his opponent to secure the medal.
Smith plans to compete for the Golden Eagles regularly next season, and should push for a National qualification.
Rob Leese, a teacher at Marquette, also competed in the event, leading 5-2 then falling just behind Cambridge's
Robert Daggett to drop the match by decision in the opening round.
November 18, 2006
14th Annual Concordia Open (Mequon, WI)
On Saturday,
November 18th, the members of the Wrestling team at Marquette University attended the 14th annual 22-team
Concordia Open in Mequon, WI. Due to minor injuries with Joe Makouske (133),
Andy Simmons (157), and Karl Schroeder (174), and previous engagements affecting MU’s three Gilling brothers and Joby
Philip (125), Marquette was only able to field three wrestlers at the open – but still left an impact.
Senior Adam Crozier,
normally a 157-pound wrestler, wrestled up a weight class at 165 for the open. Crozier
sent a message in his first match, pinning UW-Milwaukee’s Mike Huth in 3:48, after racking up a 12-2 lead. In his second-round championship match, he fell to #4 seeded Joe Hoover of Manchester by technical fall,
score 21-4. In his consolation match, he first built up a 4-1 lead against UW-Milwaukee’s
2006 NCWA National Qualifier Darin Kwilinski, but a surprising turn of events led to a 10-6 upset, ending Crozier’s
run at the tournament and setting his current season record at 1-2.
Sophomore Brett
Coffelt made the jump up to the 133-pound weight class for the open, after prematurely cutting to 125 the previous weekend. In his first-round match, he drew the #2 seeded Ben Hart of the University of Chicago. After allowing Hart to gain a 5-0 lead, Coffelt bounced back and won the following
two periods, but ended up dropping the match 7-5. In his first-round consolation,
he received a bye. In his next round, he won by decision over Tanner Utley of
Loras 4-1. In the following match, he defeated Concordia’s Josh Plate by
a score of 9-2. In the match that would secure a placement at the tournament,
he lost to #3 seeded Jordan Loy of Loras by a decision of 10-4, a second away from earning nearfall points at the buzzer. His current season record is 3-4, with a 3-2 record at 133.
Freshman Pete
Drozda also competed at the open, wrestling at 149 pounds. Drozda, a former state
qualifier, competed for the prominent Omaha Creighton Prep High School (Nebraska) wrestling program last season. He dropped his first round championship match to #3 seeded Ryan McMurray of Augustana, and his consolation
match to UW-Platteville’s Matt McGill. Drozda plans to drop to the 141
pound weight class as the season progresses, a move that should make him a top contender in the NCWA North Central Conference.
Bout-by-Bout Results:
133
#2 Ben Hart (University of Chicago) dec. Brett
Coffelt (Marquette) 7-5
Brett Coffelt (Marquette) received a bye
Brett Coffelt (Marquette) dec. Tanner Utley (Loras)
4-1
Brett Coffelt (Marquette) dec. Josh Plate (Concordia)
9-2
#3 Jordan Loy (Loras) dec. Brett Coffelt (Marquette)
10-4
149
#3 Ryan McMurray (Augustana) pinned Pete Drozda
(Marquette) 3:19
Matt McGill (UW-Platteville) pinned Pete Drozda
(Marquette) 1:40
165
Adam Crozier (Marquette) pinned Mike Huth (UW-Milwaukee)
3:48
#4 Joe Hoover (Manchester) tech Adam Crozier (Marquette)
21-4 Darin Kwilinski (UW-Milwaukee) dec. Adam Crozier (Marquette)
10-6
February 4, 2006
2006 University of Dubuque Moco Mercer Open:
Congratulations to Brett Coffelt (125) and Adam Crozier (165), Marquette's placewinners at the Open!
Coffelt placed third by winning four matches over the course of the day, including a bye, two pins,
and a 9-5 decision in the third place championship match. Crozier earned fifth place by winning two matches
by pin and securing fifth place in the final via his opponent's forfeit.
All in all, a great way to voice Marquette's return to the mat!
|