Nov. 5, 2011
Contact: Tim Ertle
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YPSILANTI, Mich. - The Vikings wrestling team got off to a fast start to kickoff the 2011-12 season as the squad placed three freshmen and a handful of others picked up their first victory of the year at the 20th annual Eastern Michigan Open.
Andrew Brown (125), Michael Carlone (133) and Nathan Silvus (197) all finished fourth in their respective weight classes.
Brown won his first three matches - two of them via decision and one on a pin - before falling to eventual champion Vinnie Pizzuto of Eastern Michigan.
He responded with a 4-2 decision against Calumet's Anthony Hawkins to advance to the third place match which he dropped to Kent State's Alfredo Gray on a 7-3 decision.
Brown's classmate Michael Carlone also placed fourth while racking up a 6-2 record at 133 pounds in the freshman/sophomore bracket.
Carlone won his first bout - the first of his collegiate career - in impressive finish, taking a 12-0 major decision over Zack Case of Alma College. He then dropped a 10-9 decision, but then rattled off five consecutive wins to reach the third place bout.
His win streak included a 17-1 technical fall victory and a pair of pins.
Tanner Lemon lost his first bout at 157 pounds, but then pulled off a 4-1 decision and an 8-0 major decision before dropping his final match to finish the day 2-2.
Both Mitch Gross and Xavier Dye earned the first collegiate victories of their careers at 174 pounds.
Nathan Silvus and Tommy Padavick both shined at 197 pounds after dropping their opening match. Silvus responded to place fourth in his weight class.
His most impressive win came when he pinned Alma's Nathan Hayden in just 1:06. Padavick followed with a pin of his own, defeating Calumet's Rich Pennington at the 4:15 mark.
Silvus was 3-2 in his first college event.
In the open division, returners Ben Willeford (twice) won at 125 pounds, and senior Josh Palivoda added two victories at 141. The other senior on the squad, Larry Cavello, was victorious at 149, Transfer Mike Monson Jr. picked up his first win as a Viking at 165, and Garry Yarborogh chipped in a win at 197 pounds.
The Vikings will look to keep their hot start going when they compete next Saturday (Nov. 12) at the Wrestle for a Cure Duals. The event will be held in Harrisburg, Pa. and will begin at 9:00 a.m.
