Michigan's Russell hopes for reversal at nationals

By John Huckaby

Michigan's Kellen Russell has gotten one "two-fer." He registered that when he won a second Big Ten title March 8 with an overtime victory over No. 1-ranked Frank Tanelli of Wisconsin at 141 pounds.

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But Russell, last year’s Freshman of the Year in the Big Ten, doesn’t want another “two-fer” in the NCAA tournament this weekend in St. Louis. Despite his No. 1 seeding a year ago, Russell, who did his high school wrestling at Blair Academy in New Jersey, left the tournament without a medal after going 2-2.

He returns to the tournament once again as the top seed. His first opponent Thursday morning in St. Louis is Chris Bencivenga from North Carolina- Greensboro. His probable semifinal opponent is Alex Tsirtsis of Iowa. Last year’s champ, who beat Russell along the way, is Ohio State’s J Jaggers, who is seeded third.

“It’s great to come back and win this tournament. I think it’s the toughest qualifier in the country,” Russell said after collecting his Big Ten medal. “I think I’ll be able to wrestle well at nationals.

“After having that experience from not doing well at nationals, I think I’m set up pretty good right now.”

He said he was just too nervous at last year’s NCAA tournament. “I was kind of overlooking some people that I was going to wrestle. I think that this year, I’m ready.”

In the interest of providing some chuckles for the reader, we’re going to make our selections of the winners this weekend.

Here goes:

125 pounds

Indiana’s Angel Escobedo is the defending champion and is seeded third, putting him on the same side of the bracket with Cornell’s Troy Nickerson. Escobedo looked healthy in the Big Ten tournament and wrestles well in the NCAAs. Former champion Paul Donahoe, the top seed from Edinboro, looks for another title after winning one at Nebraska two years ago. We like Escobedo to repeat with a win over Northwestern’s Brandon Precin in the finals.

133 pounds

Iowa’s Daniel Dennis was ranked No. 1 heading into the Big Ten tournament but sank to fifth at Penn State. He owns a win over top-seed Franklin Gomez of Michigan State. We like Dennis, with his drive, to rebound from the Big Ten tournament. Second to Reece Humphrey of Ohio State.

141 pounds

If Russell has a problem, it’s his lack of offense. He collects a lot of points on defensive moves. He needed overtime to beat Wiscosin’s Zach Tanelli in the Big Ten final. Tanelli and Russell both hold wins over defending champion J Jaggers of Ohio State, who is wrestling better than he has most of the season. Tanelli over Jaggers in the semis and over Russell in the finals.

149 pounds

President Obama could predict the winner in this weight. Iowa’s Brent Metcalf easily, beating North Carolina State’s Darrion Caldwell in the final.

157 pounds

In case you hadn’t noticed, the Big Ten was picked to win the first four weights. It ends here as Nebraska’s Jordan Burroughs upholds his No. 1 seed. We think he’ll repeat his Vegas win over defending champion Jordan Leen of Cornell.

165 pounds

Can a true freshman win this weight? Nope, but Wisconsin’s Andrew Howe can come in second. This time Cornell’s Mack Lewnes comes away with the gold.

174 pounds

Michigan’s Steve Luke is unbeaten and should improve on his runner-up finish of a year ago. Brandon Browne of Nebraska will top American’s Mike Cannon in the semis to earn a battle with Luke. Luke has beaten him twice — 6-2 and 3-1.

184 pounds

Here comes another Big Ten champion — Jake Herbert of Northwestern, who won a title two years ago. Everyone has been waiting for a matchup of last year’s champion, Mike Pucillo of Ohio State, and Herbert. Pucillo moved up in the dual meet and then Iowa’s Phil Keddy spoiled the matchup with a win in the Big Ten tournament. Pucillo over Keddy this time but Herbert will deny Pucillo another championship.

197 pounds

Fourth-seed Tyrell Todd, a two-time All-American at 184, moved up and has lost only once this season, despite wrestling on a ripped ACL. Hey, when you hail from Bozeman, Mont., you can do things like that. Todd handled Wisconsin’s Dallas Herbst in the Big Ten tournament and we think he’ll beat top-seeded Craig Brester of Nebraska in the semis and follow that with a victory over Jake Varner of Iowa State.

285 pounds

Among the top-five seeds are wrestlers from Duke (No. 5 Konrad Dudziak) and Kent State (No. 3 Jemail Porter). And an undersized Jersey boy, Dave Zabriskie of Iowa State, is seeded No. 1. Jared Rosholt of Oklahoma State is fourth seeded, Mark Ellis of Missouri is second. Zabriskie holds wins over Ellis and Rosholt. We like the Cyclone over Porter.

Team finish — Iowa, Cornell and Iowa State.

John Huckaby reports on college wrestling for the Centre Daily Times. He can be reached at jhuck@ptd.net.