Michigan State tops Central Michigan, Malczewski gets 100th win

EAST LANSING, Mich. -- For the third season in a row, the Michigan State wrestling team has eclipsed 10 wins as it defeated in-state rival Central Michigan on Senior Night Friday night inside Jenison Field House 18-13.

With the victory, Michigan State finishes the regular season with a 10-6 record with a perfect 8-0 non-conference record. It's the third time in program history to have three-straight 10 or more wins seasons. The Chippewas dropped to 8-7 overall.

"We talked all year long about wrestling a full seven minutes," said MSU head coach Roger Chandler. "Saldate gave us a boost and you can see it really jump started the whole team."

It was a night of celebration for No. 16 184-pound graduate Layne Malczewski as he was one of five wrestlers recognized on Senior Night and surpassed the 100-win threshold. The Macomb, Michigan, native dominated his bout against Adrien Cramer with a first period takedown and nearly two and half minutes of riding time. Followed with two more takedowns, Malczewski walked off the mat inside Jenison Field House with a 12-5 victory and a standing ovation from the crowd. "When Layne came off the mat, I told him, 'you'll never know how much you mean to me and this program," said Chandler. "He pulls people together; his energy is contagious, and he gets people to fight around him. He's the reason why this program has respect again. He's the ultimate leader."

"It's a surreal moment to get a win on senior night, let alone your 100th win," said an emotional Malczewski. "I'm feeling a lot of emotions. I'm very happy to be a Spartan and forever grateful to be a part of this program. The fans, my friends and my family had a big impact in my six years here, I have a lot of things to be grateful for."

Malczewski now holds a career record of 100-46 and a 49-17 dual record in the Green and White. The four-time national qualifier has 29 career pins which ranks eighth all-time in program history. With the victory.

Central Michigan exploded out the gates taking bouts 125, 133 and 149 pounds to start the night.

At 141-pounds senior and No. 27-ranked Jordan Hamdan gave the Spartans the first points of the night with a 7-1 decision victory over Jimmy Nugent. Hamdan who was honored in the Senior Night festivities, closed out his dual career with his 70th career victory.

Michigan State would find its spark at 157 as No. 20-ranked senior Chase Saldate came alive from being down 6-1 to begin the third period against No. 26 Johnny Lovett. Saldate was gifted the third period escape, followed with two third period takedowns and a stall point in the final 1:05 for an eight-point third period to come from behind and win 9-7 and erupt the fans and the Spartan bench.

"He [Saldate] dug deep and found a way to come back from being down 6-1, that's a championship level wrestler," said Chandler following the victory. "That's why he's going to compete for All-American and National Championship this year. I have so much respect for Chase to keeping a calm mindset and he defiantly lifted this team with that performance."

From there Michigan State would win its next four bouts at 165, 174, 184 and 197 pounds.

OTHER MATCH NOTES
· Senior and No. 9-ranked 165-pounder Caleb Fish defeated Tyler Swiderski in a narrow 6-5 decision.

· At 174-pounds redshirt senior DJ Shannon knocked off Chandler Amaker 8-5. Shannon improves his career high in victories to 11 on the season.

· Redshirt freshman and No. 30-ranked 197-pounder Kael Wisler secured the Spartans victory with a 11-4 victory over Cameron Wood. Wisler had three takedowns and is now tied with the most wins on the team with 25.

· Heavyweight redshirt freshman Josh Terrill was in a 4-4 tie with Bryan Caves, but the riding time point gave Caves the narrow victory.

· The Spartans led in takedowns with 15 compared to Chippewas seven.

Results:
125: Sean Spidle (CMU) dec. Tristan Lujan (MSU) 5-1 | CMU leads 3-0
133: Vince Perez (CMU) major dec. Caleb Weiand (MSU) 14-6 | CMU leads 7-0
141: Jordan Hamdan (MSU) dec. Jimmy Nugent (CMU) 7-1 | CMU leads 7-3
149: Corbyn Munson (CMU) dec. Braden Stauffenberg (MSU) 8-2 | CMU leads 10-3
157: Chase Saldate (MSU) dec. Johnny Lovett (CMU) 9-7 | CMU leads 10-6
165: Caleb Fish (MSU) dec. Tyler Swiderski (CMU) 6-5 | CMU leads 10-9
174: DJ Shannon (MSU) dec. Chandler Amaker (CMU) 8-5 | MSU leads 12-10
184: Layne Malczewski (MSU) dec. Adrien Cramer (CMU) 12-5 | MSU leads 15-10
197: Kael Wisler (MSU) dec. Cameron Woods (CMU) 11-4 | MSU leads 18-10
HWT: Bryan Caves (CMU) dec. Josh Terrill (MSU) 5-4 | MSU wins 18-13