Mark Weber

Feb. 12, 2010

Site: Bloomington, Ind. (University Gymnasium)
Scores: #13 Indiana 22, Michigan 13
Records: U-M (4-13, 0-6 Big Ten), Indiana (14-3, 3-3 Big Ten)
Next U-M Event: Sunday, Feb. 14 -- vs. Wisconsin (Cliff Keen Arena), 2 p.m.

BLOOMINGTON, Ind. -- The University of Michigan wrestling team claimed four individual victories -- two at the lowerweights and two at the upperweights -- but could not overcome a stretch of three losses at the middleweights in a 22-13 loss at No. 13-ranked Indiana on Friday evening (Feb. 13) at University Gymnasium.

The Wolverines claimed two of three matches at the lowerweights, neutralizing top-ranked Angel Escobedo's quick pin at 125 pounds with back-to-back decisions at 133 and 141 pounds. Sophomore captain Zac Stevens (Monroe, Mich./Monroe HS) scored early and late to knock off Matt Ortega, 6-3, in the former bout. The Wolverine captain struck immediately on a driving double leg and rode for time advantage before allowing the escape midway through the frame. The wrestlers traded quick escapes in the second and third periods before Stevens countered an Ortega single leg to ice the match with a late takedown.

Sophomore Mark Weber (Goodrich, Mich./Goodrich HS) earned his first Big Ten victory of the season in the subsequent bout, taking advantage of a sloppy overtime shot to defeat Danny Monaco, 5-3. The Hoosier wrestler struck first, scoring out of a first-period scramble and carried a two-point lead into the third frame after earning his escape in the second. Weber rode the majority of the middle period, however, and after earning his escape in the third, knotted up the score with his 1:25 of time advantage. Monaco dove in on a single-leg shot early in the extra frame, and Weber came around to score, ending the bout with 37 seconds remaining on the clock.

The Hoosiers claimed a pair of close one-point decisions to reclaim their six-point advantage at the dual's halfway point. Junior/sophomore Dave Johnson (Jenison, Mich./Jenison HS) pushed the pace and ended the 157-pound match on top but lost to sixth-ranked Kurt Kinser, 5-4, on riding time. Johnson took the bout's first shots -- two high single legs -- but it was Kinser who scored first, converting out of a scramble midway through the opening frame before riding out to gain time advantage. After giving up a reversal early in the second period, Johnson responded midway through the third, striking on a double leg in the center of the mat. With the score tied at four apiece, Johnson rode out the match but could not turn Kinser as time expired.

Junior/sophomore Justin Zeerip (Fremont, Mich./Hesperia HS) and senior/junior captain Anthony Biondo (Clinton Twp., Mich./Chippewa Valley HS) claimed Michigan's wins in the second half of the dual, putting together dominant efforts at 174 and 197 pounds, respectively. Zeerip secured his second straight dual win in the former, earning a bonus point with a 10-0 major decision over Nick Avery. Zeerip converted on three takedowns -- one in each period -- and used an armbar to add a pair of back points in the opening frame. The Wolverine wrestler ended the bout on top, accumulating 3:14 in riding-time advantage to cap his win.

Biondo earned his fifth straight win in impressive fashion, scoring on two takedowns and accumulating nearly four minutes of riding-time advantage en route to a 6-0 decision over 15th-ranked Matt Powless at 197 pounds. Biondo, ranked eighth in the latest InterMat poll, spent most of the first and second periods on top after converting on an immediate throw by and subsequent single leg. Starting the third period in neutral position, the Wolverine captain attempted a variety of shots in search of bonus but could not score again, settling on the decision and his ninth win over a ranked opponent this season.

The Wolverines will return to Ann Arbor, Mich., on Sunday (Feb. 14) to host No. 15-ranked Wisconsin for their final home dual of the 2009-10 season. The meet is slated for a 2 p.m. start at Cliff Keen Arena.

#13 Indiana 22, Michigan 13
Individual Rankings by InterMat

Contact: Leah Howard (734) 763-4423