MSU wrestler Gray Maynard is expected to be out of action for at least a month after having knee surgery Monday.
Maynard tore knee cartilage in his victory over Michigan’s Pat Owen on Jan. 28. He could be back in time for the Big Ten Championships March 3 and 4.
The news regarding Maynard comes at an inopportune time for the No. 12 Spartans, a team coming off two losses and preparing for road meets against No. 1 Minnesota and No. 3 Iowa this weekend.
MSU dropped five spots from No. 7 to No. 12 in this week’s www.intermatwrestle.com poll.
Maynard, ranked 13th in the nation by intermatwrestle.com in the 157-pound weight class, is 18-1 on the season and undefeated in Big Ten action.
MSU head coach Tom Minkel said if rehabilitation goes well, Maynard can be back for the Big Ten Championships and possibly qualify for the NCAA Championships on March 15-17. A wrestler qualifies for the NCAAs through his placement in the conference tournament.
Minkel said Maynard, who didn’t compete this past weekend in losses to Ohio State and Purdue, is a big part of the team’s success so far this year and his presence on the mat will be missed.
“It was a setback for us and significant from the dual meet standpoint,” he said. “He carries a big part of the load in the middle of the lineup.”
Senior 165-pound Cory Posey said he feels Maynard is “one of the best wrestlers in the country.”
“I think it’s going to affect us from a dual meet standpoint, but more importantly for the Big Ten and the NCAA (Championships) if he can’t wrestle,” he said. “Gray’s a big part of our team and he scores a lot of points.”
Sophomore Charlie Sageman will take Maynard’s place at the 157-pound weight class until Maynard returns. He filled in for his teammate this past weekend against the Buckeyes and Boilermakers but was unable to record a victory.
“I don’t like seeing teammates get hurt, but stuff like that happens and that’s why we all prepare to get ready to wrestle,” Sageman said.
“I try and work hard throughout the whole year to be ready for something like this because anytime during the season you have to be ready to step in, in case something like this happens.”
