Michigan's Kellen Russell

Josh Churella, Eric Tannenbaum, Steve Luke and Tyrel Todd.  Those are the four returning All-Americans for the University of Michigan.  Collectively this foursome has earned 7 All-American honors, 3 Big Ten Titles and 2 individual titles at last weekend's Cliff Keen Invitational in Las Vegas.  However, it is another Wolverine wrestler that has the people taking notice.  Kellen Russell, a true freshman from High Bridge, New Jersey recently won the nation's toughest regular season tournament (Cliff Keen Inv.) in stunning fashion.  The finals victory over 2007 All-American, Jeff Jaggers of Ohio State, brought Russell's 2007-08 record up to 11-0.  The performance also earned Russell Co-Big Ten Wrestler of the Week Honors. 

The Michigan team will be in action tomorrow night as they host Kent State.  Here is what Russell told D1CW about his weekend in Las Vegas and more......

D1CW:  You just had a huge weekend winning the Cliff Keen Invitational in Las Vegas, beating three former All-American’s in the process.Was this something you expected going into the tournament?

Kellen Russell: I expected to do well going into the tournament.  A goal of mine was to make it to the finals. In my mind though, I knew I could win the whole thing.  I kind of had that expectation; it was just a matter of me proving it to myself and everyone else.

D1CW:  While it’s still a young season, what factors have led to your success thus far?

KR: Mainly it has been my workout parterns and my coaching.  Wrestling with Josh Churella (2007 NCAA Runner-Up) has been great for me.  Also Coaches (Joe) McFarland and (Mark) Churella have helped adjust to college wrestling.

D1CW: That leads into my next question, what has been the biggest difference for you between high school and college wrestling?

KR: For me it has been the size and strength of all of my opponents.  Sometimes you would get strong guys in high school, but here everyone is strong.  I don't feel weak or anything, it's just different and something that I've had to get used to.  Also being a true freshman, most of the guys I'm wrestling are older and more physically mature.

D1CW:  As a team so far, Michigan has had two distinctly different weekends.  The first weekend you lost in a dual to Maryland, while last weekend the team won Las Vegas with three individual champions.  What is your take on the team?

KR:  The loss to Maryland at the Northeast Duals was our first event of the season.  I don't think we wrestled very well, but again it was the first week.  Vegas showed more of what we are capable of, as a team.  We are very strong and we are here to win.

D1CW: For people who are not familiar with you, how would you describe yourself as a wrestler?  Your strengths or style...

KR: All around I'm pretty solid.  I don't make a whole lot of mistakes.  I won't do anything crazy that puts me into bad positions and could allow my opponent to score.  Eventually, what I want to do in a match is get on top and just kind of beat up on the other guy.

D1CW: How did wrestling at Blair Academy prepare you for the college level?

KR: When you are wrestling for Blair, you get to face top-notch competition every week.  You always have to be prepared and ready to wrestle.  The practices at Blair have given me the work ethic that is needed to be sucessful in college.  Some people don't realize how to work hard in high school.  I learned it at the high school level and it has carried over into college.  Overall, college is still different, but Blair really helped me get ready.

D1CW: Coming out of high school, why did you choose to attend Michigan?

KR: Well, it looked to me like a program that was on the rise.  I knew that this season they would be returning four All-Americans.  One of them, Josh Churella, was going to be a practice partner for me.  Most important is that Michigan is great academically, as well.

D1CW:  When and why did you get into wrestling?

KR: I started at about five or six years old. My dad was a high school coach, so I was kind of born into it.  When I was young, it was a great way for me to get my energy out, as I was a hyper kid.  Once I was older and better, like in high school, it was fun to just go out and beat on guys. 

D1CW: Thanks for taking a few moments with us Kellen and good luck!!