The MSU wrestling team is looking to put last year’s blowout loss to Oklahoma State behind them.
On Saturday, the No. 17 Spartans (2-1) open their 2002 Cliff Keen/National Duals against the No. 2 Cowboys (11-1) in Columbus, Ohio.
“I think they are a real good team,” said senior captain Chris Williams. “We’re probably not at their level, and for us to win it probably will be a huge upset, but I don’t think our backs are against the wall.”
A random drawing matched MSU with Oklahoma State, whom the Spartans have never had luck with, as their 3-27-1 lifetime record indicates.
“We couldn’t do anything about that,” Williams said. “What we can do is this year.”
Last year, the Spartans lost 31-3 in Stillwater, Okla., a loss that junior Karl Nadolsky said the team isn’t dwelling on.
“Well, it seems like a lot of that had to do with home field advantage,” Nadolsky said. “Any given day, someone is going to step up and wrestle at the best of their ability.”
The Spartans are one of 16 teams ranked in the National Wrestling Coaches Association Top 25 competing at this weekends double elimination tournament.
Normally, the Spartans’ No. 17 ranking would raise eyebrows, but with 12 teams ranked above them MSU hopes to be a sleeper team.
“If anything, it just motivates me more,” Williams said. “I like being the underdog, the one that goes and pulls off the upset.”
“Because they are No. 2, they have a lot more to lose than we do,” junior Rashad Evans said. “We have everything to gain from this match. It’s something that is going to set the tone for us the rest of the season.”
Regardless of who the Spartans are matched against, head coach Tom Minkel said only good things will come out of the tournament.
“It’s a good chance for us to wrestle against the best teams in the country,” Minkel said. “We feel like we’re improving and developing, and this will be a good test against the best other teams.”
Nadolsky said each wrestler will have to carry their own weight, but he doesn’t doubt his teammates.
“Every single person is going to give it their best shot,” Nadolsky said. “If we wrestle up to our ability, we can pull off an upset.”
