Michigan State 25 West Virginia 15

Four Mountaineers Notch Victories against Michigan State

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. (January 17, 2009) – Fifth-year seniors David Jauregui (149) and Dustin Rogers (HWT), redshirt-junior Donnie Jones (165) and sophomore Kyle Rooney (197) all recorded victories, but it was not enough as the West Virginia University wrestling team fell to Michigan State, 25-15, on Saturday evening at the WVU Coliseum.

“Any team in the Big Ten is going to come out and have a quality wrestler at every weight class,” Coach Craig Turnbull said. “You have to win those close ones and we didn't win those tonight. Again, we have to take the lessons learned and move forward and hopefully we'll continue to see these young guys get better as the season moves on. Michigan State was a good opponent, but I felt we were the superior team and we didn't win those close ones.”

WVU (2-4, 0-0) dropped its first three matches, but Jauregui, ranked No. 20 nationally, halted the slide in his match against Michigan State’s David Cheza. After registering a takedown early in the first period, Cheza continued to ride Jauregui. However, the Santa Ana, Calif., native fell backward and landed on top of Cheza and was able to maneuver his body to earn the pin at the 1:48 mark. Jauregui improves to 5-1 overall, 5-0 in dual matches.

At 157 pounds, redshirt-freshman Mark Tsikerdanos nearly grabbed victory for the Mountaineers. Wrestling in place of redshirt-freshman Ryan Goodman, Tsikerdanos went ahead quickly on Anthony Jones. After being ahead 5-2 at the end of the first period, it appeared imminent that Tsikerdanos would take the victory. Jones, however, earned five points (two takedowns and one escape) in the third period to tie the match at seven apiece. In the first overtime session, the two circled each other around the mat, but Jones was able to earn the takedown for the 9-7 victory.

The match continued at 165 pounds with WVU’s Jones wrestling in only his third match this season against Michigan State’s Rex Kendle. Despite Kendle appearing to have the upper-hand heading into the match with a 17-5 record, Jones went after Kendle, earning a takedown in the first session. A Slickville, Pa., native, Jones tacked on an escape point and a takedown for the 5-2 decision.

"He showed his competitive spirits and he hasn't been able to ease into the season,” Turnbull said of Jones. “He took two losses, but he showed the maturity he has gained with his years in the program. Instead of taking a little piece of those losses away, he recognizes and has enough confidence in himself that his time will come. I was very pleased with his performance."

The Mountaineers finished the match with two consecutive victories.

Rooney, who had just one match of experience this season prior to his bout against Michigan State’s Tyler Dickenson, appeared in mid-season form. Rooney took a quick shot at Dickenson and earned two quick escape points and rode him for 1:57 in the first period. Rooney, a Cincinnati, Ohio, native, chose the defensive position to start the second period, turned the tables and registered a reversal to pull ahead 4-0. Dickenson was able to get two takedowns in the third period, but it was not enough as Rooney earned his first win this season with the 7-5 decision at 197 pounds.

At heavyweight, Rogers continued his success from the Jan. 9 match against Illinois. Rogers and Michigan State’s Alan O’Donnell nearly went scoreless in the first period, but Rogers’ consistent attacks paid off as he earned a takedown with nine seconds left in the first session. Staying aggressive, the Corning, Calif., native registered another takedown in the second session to pull ahead. After O’Donnell scored his first point on an escape, Rogers chased O’Donnell and was able to keep his feet in the circle for his third takedown of the match. With another three points in the third period, Rogers posted a 9-5 decision, bettering his record to 8-4 overall, 4-2 in dual meets.

The Mountaineers return to action on Sunday, Jan. 18, at Duquesne. The match is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. at the Palumbo Center.