Brick Breeden to host D-1 Wrestling.
Posted: Thu Jan 01, 2009 1:15 pm
Bozeman native Tyrel Todd set for homecoming dual at MSU Fieldhouse
By JOHN LETASKY
Of The Gazette Staff
It's Homecoming Night on Friday at Brick Breeden Fieldhouse on the Montana State campus.
Bozeman native Tyrel Todd and the rest of the Michigan Wolverines wrestling team will face Oregon State in a NCAA dual beginning at 7 p.m.
Michigan is ranked 15th in this week's InterMat poll, while Oregon State received votes and would be ranked 29th. The Bozeman Invitational high school wrestling tournament also begins Friday, and organizers said it will end a bit earlier than usual Friday evening so that the wrestlers, parents and fans can also attend the college dual.
Michigan coach Joe McFarland said he's excited to bring his squad to Montana. He said in the past Michigan has ventured to the hometowns of other prominent members of its team. "I think Montana State is looking at adding some sports in the future," McFarland said . "In the state of Montana there is a lot of people who would like to see Montana State add wrestling.
"Our trip is for a number of reasons. One is to get out there and wrestle in Ty's hometown of Bozeman. There were some people in the area that wanted to showcase it with the hopes MSU or Montana might add wrestling. There are a lot of good kids out of Montana limited with their opportunities.
"I've had a lot of success with Montana boys. Pat Owen (of Polson), Kyle Smith (of Butte) and now Tyrel. All those guys have gone through our program and have been captains here. We have had a lot of success with Montana kids, and unfortunately they don't have a lot of chances to college wrestle. This will be a good chance for us to showcase college wrestling. That's my purpose here.
Not only to have a great outing in Montana, but also so maybe in the future they will add the sport."
Todd, who has been battling a knee injury suffered in early December at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational, is a fifth-year senior for the Wolverines. He is currently ranked third in the InterMat poll at 197 pounds. He was 2-0 at the Las Vegas tourney before withdrawing due to the injury and is 4-0 overall with two pins this season.
"It's a dream come true and an amazing opportunity," said Todd of wrestling again in Bozeman. "On the downer side, I kind of have a knee injury I'm coming back from. I'm a little hesitant because it will be the first time wrestling on it since I injured it. It's irritating.
"I don't know if I will wrestle for sure in the dual. I'm planning on it, but we'll make the decision later this week."
Todd is a 2004 Bozeman High graduate and was a four-time State AA finalist and three-time champion for the Hawks.
That success has continued at Michigan. After redshirting his freshman year and competing in open tournaments, Todd finished fifth in the NCAA Tournament as a sophomore and third last year.
He went 7-1 in last year's NCAA Tournament at 184 pounds, winning six straight matches after suffering an upset loss in the second round.
"That was obviously a real tough thing," said Todd of the second-round loss. "My goal was to be on top of the podium last year. I worked hard and put myself in good position to do it. I got an early loss, but emotionally I couldn't allow myself to dwell on it.
"It would have pulled me down emotionally and physically ... in my mind, I made that third-place spot my goal and got refocused."
Todd has been working hard to strengthen his knee in the past few weeks. McFarland said he believes Todd is "on track" to wrestle Friday and it will be a good opportunity for him to begin the second half of the season. The Big Ten Championships are set for March 7-8 in State College, Pa. The NCAA Championships are March 19-21 in St. Louis.
"I know as a coach, I appreciate the effort he has put forth and what he has done for this program," said McFarland. "He is focused on his goals and coming back from injury and winning a Big 10 and national title. Sometimes those things mean more as you get older."
With his most recent win, Todd became just the 30th wrestler in the 87-year history of the Michigan program to reach the 100-win milestone. He now has a career record of 100-27 for the Wolverines.
"It's a great honor to be in the 100-win club at Michigan," said Todd. "It was a goal of mine going there. It was kind of one of those things you don't think about through the grind of it. It comes with hard work and preparation.
"It's a tremendous honor to be a part of that and I'm hoping to get as many wins as I can this season."
Todd is also on track to earn his degree next year in education, with a history major and psychology minor. He is also planning to stay active in wrestling and shooting for a spot on the 2010 World Team and 2012 United States Olympic Team.
In the most recent U.S. Senior freestyle rankings, Todd is ranked 10th at 185 pounds. He was fourth in the challenge tournament at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in freestyle wrestling in June.
While competing internationally and in USA wrestling freestyle competitions, Todd represents the Wolverine Wrestling Club and the New York Athletic Club. If all goes according to plan, he hopes to keep busy next year as a volunteer coach at Michigan.
But right now, Todd is focused on the goal at hand. And McFarland likes what he's seen so far.
"He has had a great career here," said McFarland. "He has been a great addition since he walked on campus; just his desire and work ethic to try and be a national champion.
"He has been a great role model for the guys on the team with his character, the way he carries himself and his work ethic."
By JOHN LETASKY
Of The Gazette Staff
It's Homecoming Night on Friday at Brick Breeden Fieldhouse on the Montana State campus.
Bozeman native Tyrel Todd and the rest of the Michigan Wolverines wrestling team will face Oregon State in a NCAA dual beginning at 7 p.m.
Michigan is ranked 15th in this week's InterMat poll, while Oregon State received votes and would be ranked 29th. The Bozeman Invitational high school wrestling tournament also begins Friday, and organizers said it will end a bit earlier than usual Friday evening so that the wrestlers, parents and fans can also attend the college dual.
Michigan coach Joe McFarland said he's excited to bring his squad to Montana. He said in the past Michigan has ventured to the hometowns of other prominent members of its team. "I think Montana State is looking at adding some sports in the future," McFarland said . "In the state of Montana there is a lot of people who would like to see Montana State add wrestling.
"Our trip is for a number of reasons. One is to get out there and wrestle in Ty's hometown of Bozeman. There were some people in the area that wanted to showcase it with the hopes MSU or Montana might add wrestling. There are a lot of good kids out of Montana limited with their opportunities.
"I've had a lot of success with Montana boys. Pat Owen (of Polson), Kyle Smith (of Butte) and now Tyrel. All those guys have gone through our program and have been captains here. We have had a lot of success with Montana kids, and unfortunately they don't have a lot of chances to college wrestle. This will be a good chance for us to showcase college wrestling. That's my purpose here.
Not only to have a great outing in Montana, but also so maybe in the future they will add the sport."
Todd, who has been battling a knee injury suffered in early December at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational, is a fifth-year senior for the Wolverines. He is currently ranked third in the InterMat poll at 197 pounds. He was 2-0 at the Las Vegas tourney before withdrawing due to the injury and is 4-0 overall with two pins this season.
"It's a dream come true and an amazing opportunity," said Todd of wrestling again in Bozeman. "On the downer side, I kind of have a knee injury I'm coming back from. I'm a little hesitant because it will be the first time wrestling on it since I injured it. It's irritating.
"I don't know if I will wrestle for sure in the dual. I'm planning on it, but we'll make the decision later this week."
Todd is a 2004 Bozeman High graduate and was a four-time State AA finalist and three-time champion for the Hawks.
That success has continued at Michigan. After redshirting his freshman year and competing in open tournaments, Todd finished fifth in the NCAA Tournament as a sophomore and third last year.
He went 7-1 in last year's NCAA Tournament at 184 pounds, winning six straight matches after suffering an upset loss in the second round.
"That was obviously a real tough thing," said Todd of the second-round loss. "My goal was to be on top of the podium last year. I worked hard and put myself in good position to do it. I got an early loss, but emotionally I couldn't allow myself to dwell on it.
"It would have pulled me down emotionally and physically ... in my mind, I made that third-place spot my goal and got refocused."
Todd has been working hard to strengthen his knee in the past few weeks. McFarland said he believes Todd is "on track" to wrestle Friday and it will be a good opportunity for him to begin the second half of the season. The Big Ten Championships are set for March 7-8 in State College, Pa. The NCAA Championships are March 19-21 in St. Louis.
"I know as a coach, I appreciate the effort he has put forth and what he has done for this program," said McFarland. "He is focused on his goals and coming back from injury and winning a Big 10 and national title. Sometimes those things mean more as you get older."
With his most recent win, Todd became just the 30th wrestler in the 87-year history of the Michigan program to reach the 100-win milestone. He now has a career record of 100-27 for the Wolverines.
"It's a great honor to be in the 100-win club at Michigan," said Todd. "It was a goal of mine going there. It was kind of one of those things you don't think about through the grind of it. It comes with hard work and preparation.
"It's a tremendous honor to be a part of that and I'm hoping to get as many wins as I can this season."
Todd is also on track to earn his degree next year in education, with a history major and psychology minor. He is also planning to stay active in wrestling and shooting for a spot on the 2010 World Team and 2012 United States Olympic Team.
In the most recent U.S. Senior freestyle rankings, Todd is ranked 10th at 185 pounds. He was fourth in the challenge tournament at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in freestyle wrestling in June.
While competing internationally and in USA wrestling freestyle competitions, Todd represents the Wolverine Wrestling Club and the New York Athletic Club. If all goes according to plan, he hopes to keep busy next year as a volunteer coach at Michigan.
But right now, Todd is focused on the goal at hand. And McFarland likes what he's seen so far.
"He has had a great career here," said McFarland. "He has been a great addition since he walked on campus; just his desire and work ethic to try and be a national champion.
"He has been a great role model for the guys on the team with his character, the way he carries himself and his work ethic."