2008 Woodie Awards
Smith fights cramps to earn win
By: Aaron Sides
Issue date: 11/30/07 Section: Sports
- Page 1 of 1
The season may be young, but the wrestling team already has had to deal with injuries.
Fortunately for the Chippewas, however, they have been able to work through them.
In Thursday's match against Michigan State, senior 125-pounder Luke Smith was hurt midway through the second period against MSU junior Clint Frutiger. But he was able to continue and earn a 5-3 victory.
Smith said his right calf cramp in the second period forced him to use his left leg more, which resulted in the cramping of his calf. He said the lack of potassium in his diet prior to the match likely is what caused the problems.
"I could have wrestled a lot better if I wasn't cramping up," he said. "I just tried to block it out of my head and focus on the match."
Smith's takedown in the first period proved to be the difference in the match.
"Luke (Smith) is really a competitor. He can wrestle when he's hurt," said coach Tom Borrelli. "He's been able to win a lot of close matches."
Also working his way back from an early season injury was senior 197-pounder Wynn Michalak. Michalak had a lower abdominal strain that limited his practice time at the start of the season. Thursday marked his second match back.
The limited practice time was not an issue against MSU's Joe Williams in Michalak's 5-2 win.
"He's had two good weeks of practice," Borrelli said. "This was a good win for him. The training staff says he's doing fine now."
Michalak and Williams have met before when Michalak was a freshman and Williams was the No. 1 recruit in his weight class.
"Joe (Williams) is a real strong opposition wrestler," Michalak said. "He handled me my freshman year. This was a good match for me to come back and wrestle a quality opponent."
sports@cm-life.com
Fortunately for the Chippewas, however, they have been able to work through them.
In Thursday's match against Michigan State, senior 125-pounder Luke Smith was hurt midway through the second period against MSU junior Clint Frutiger. But he was able to continue and earn a 5-3 victory.
Smith said his right calf cramp in the second period forced him to use his left leg more, which resulted in the cramping of his calf. He said the lack of potassium in his diet prior to the match likely is what caused the problems.
"I could have wrestled a lot better if I wasn't cramping up," he said. "I just tried to block it out of my head and focus on the match."
Smith's takedown in the first period proved to be the difference in the match.
"Luke (Smith) is really a competitor. He can wrestle when he's hurt," said coach Tom Borrelli. "He's been able to win a lot of close matches."
Also working his way back from an early season injury was senior 197-pounder Wynn Michalak. Michalak had a lower abdominal strain that limited his practice time at the start of the season. Thursday marked his second match back.
The limited practice time was not an issue against MSU's Joe Williams in Michalak's 5-2 win.
"He's had two good weeks of practice," Borrelli said. "This was a good win for him. The training staff says he's doing fine now."
Michalak and Williams have met before when Michalak was a freshman and Williams was the No. 1 recruit in his weight class.
"Joe (Williams) is a real strong opposition wrestler," Michalak said. "He handled me my freshman year. This was a good match for me to come back and wrestle a quality opponent."
sports@cm-life.com
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