The MSU wrestling team picked up its first Big Ten win of the season in Bloomington, Indiana on Friday, with a victory over Indiana.
The Spartans spoiled senior night for the Hoosiers, and won the dual meet 26-16 to move on to a 1-7 conference record, and 5-10 overall.
MSU came out hot, winning the first three matches.
Mitch Rogaliner (125 pounds), Garth Yenter (133 pounds), and Javier Gasca (141 pounds) were responsible for the early victories. Yenter's pin down on Indiana's Alonzo Sheperd helped to establish momentum early on.
Indiana made a comeback through the middle of the dual, winning four matches in a row, and came within one point after the seventh match to bring the score to 17-16.
No. 6 Taylor Walsh (165 pounds) and No.15 Nate Jackson (174 pounds) helped to fuel the rally for the Hoosiers.
However, that’s as close as it would get for the Indiana, as the Spartans closed out the dual by winning the final three matches.
John Rizqallah (184 pounds) ended the Hoosiers run to get MSU back on track, as he defeated Matt Irick. Nick McDiarmid (197 pounds), and Chris Nash (285 pounds) added two more match victories to help clinch the dual.
For the Spartans, this win was crucial. After a blowout loss to Nebraska the prior weekend, the dual with Indiana was seen as an opportunity to get a conference win against a beatable team.
The Hoosiers fall to 2-9 following the loss, and 0-8 in the Big Ten.
Looking ahead, the Spartans take on No.24 Purdue on Sunday, and have duals with Duke and Central Michigan next weekend to wrap up the regular season.
Wins in those remaining three duals and in the Big Ten tournament could propel MSU into the off-season with confidence they can build on for next year.
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