Michigan Grapplers Defeat Penn State

Michigan Grapplers Defeat Penn State

Having disposed of one of the toughest wrestling teams in the country by beating Penn State here Saturday, 19 to 13, Coach Cliff Keen’s Michigan wrestlers will oppose Kansas State in a dual meet at 7:30 tonight at the Yost field house.

Kansas State also licked one of the toughest teams in the country Saturday when it defeated Lehigh University in the east, 17 to 11. Lehigh is such a wrestling hot bed that its mat team annually turns in more revenue than its football

Kansas State is champion of the Big Six, and that is something else when you consider that Oklahoma U. is a member of the conference. The mat center of the United States is Oklahoma.

Local Boys Win

Two Ann Arbor boys played an important part in Michigan’s victory over Penn State Saturday. Marvin Becker, former Pioneer star, furnished the highlight of the meet when he defeated Capt. Glen Alexander of the Nittany Lions by a decision in the 155-pound class.

Alexander is one of the best wrestlers in the east and was quite surprised to lose to an unheralded sophomore making his collegiate debut. The slippery Becker entered the final three minutes of his match with Alexander on even terms of a 6-6 point score. He carried the fight to the tiring Alexander in the final three minutes and won the decision. His victory put Michigan ahead.

Bill Courtright, another former Ann Arbor High star, pinned Ralph Syare of Penn State in five minutes and nine seconds in the 165-pound bout. Corky was just too good for his opponent.

Tonight Cliff Keen will start another Ann Arbor boy by nominating Ed Wight to battle in the 136-pound weight. Ray Deane of the Wolverines won a decision at this weight Saturday against Clair Hess of Penn State, but Wight will be given his chance tonight—the only change in Keen's starting lineup.

State Led

Penn State rushed into an 8-0 leaf Saturday when Charles Ridenour pinned Vic Wertheimer of the Wolverines in 4:31 in the 121 pound class. Sam Harry of the visitors followed this up with a decision over Dick Kopel in the 128-pound class.

But then Michigan started to roll. After Deane had gained a decision, Herb Barnett of Michigan had a large advantage over Gardner Lindsay of Penn State at 145 pounds. Becker’s victory put Michigan ahead 9 to 8.

After Courtright had secured his fall, Capt. Jim Galles of the Wolverines clinched the meet with a fall over Bob Morgan in the short time of two minutes and 59 seconds at 175 pounds.

Jim Greene, who thought he was off the mat, was thrown by Jack Kerns of Penn State in the heavyweight bout, after having an early advantage.