The usual complement of maize and blue on display in Cliff Keen Arena’s bleachers was diluted with green and white, a group whose raucous cheering filled the gym from the opening match.
Joseph Aronoff
Daily Sports Writer
Wrestling
Sean Bormet saw the look on Mason Parris’ face and knew what was going to happen.
The No. 22 Michigan wrestling team (1-2) fell to Oregon State (3-1), 21-15. The six deciding points came from a Michigan forfeit at 133 pounds, where it failed to make weight.
In the year and a half since the former three-sport athlete honed in on purely wrestling, he’s qualified for the NCAA championships and racked up a freestyle title as part of the USA Junior World Team.
“Hustle,” yelled Michigan coach Sean Bormet, as freshman Cole Mattin battled for position with Central Michigan junior Dresden Simon.
“Hustle. Hustle. Hustle,” the entire team chanted.
As Michigan’s Mason Parris mingled with a procession of young fans decked head-to-toe in maize and blue clamoring for his signature on their hats, t-shirts and posters, the sophomore heavyweight and team captain took a moment to reflect upon the hard fought win over Central Michigan’s
Building on Parris’ success, the Michigan wrestling team (0-1) placed fourth at the Black Knight Invitational in West Point, N.Y. on Sunday. In addition to Parris’ win, redshirt freshman Will Lewan won the 157-pound division of the tournament.
For 197-pound fifth-year senior Jackson Striggow and sophomore heavyweight Mason Parris, there was no shortage of opportunity for leadership in Michigan wrestling’s first dual meet of the season. Against No.
When sophomore heavyweight Mason Parris dislocated his finger in the midst of his match, there was no doubt in his mind that it would not affect the rest of his wrestling. The crowd went silent as the trainer stepped onto the mat to reset the finger. Parris, after a quick flex of his fingers, was ready to wrestle again. It was a gruesome embodiment of the mentality the Michigan wrestling team has adopted early this season — effort and confidence. But, in an up-and-down first dual meet against North Carolina, the Wolverines struggled to maintain this resiliency, losing 19-17. After a dominant performance from redshirt sophomore Jack Medley at 125-pounds, winning 10-2, the match-up leveled off, with the Tar Heels winning the next 2 matches.
Last fall, a 220-pound Mason Parris started the wrestling season as a redshirt. He practiced and built up strength while his teammates wrestled in dual meets against Central Michigan, Lehigh and Indiana. The then-freshman heavyweight waited to shed his redshirt, and on Jan.