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Purdue coach Scott Hinkle is a key reason Logan Brown chose Purdue.
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Covington graduate and Purdue freshman Logan Brown opened the 2008 NCAA Wrestling Championships with a hard-faught 6-3 victory over University of Northern Illinois Andrew Anderson (20-9).
After a slow first two minutes, Logan scored on a double-leg takedown to take a 2-0 lead after one period.
Anderson tied the match in the second period on an escape and a penalty point on Brown, but Logan scored two more takedowns to seal the match in the third period.
The victory set up a match with Big Ten Champion and No. 2 ranked Phil Davis of Penn State.
Much like his opening match, Logan started slow as he sized up his opponent. Davis was able to take advantage for a takedown and a 2-0 lead after one period.
The Penn State wrestler increased the lead to 3-0 with an escape to start the second period, but Logan responded with a well executed double-leg takedown to cut the margin to 3-2.
The score remained 3-2 until late in the frame Brown chose neutral to start the third and nearly scored on another double-leg, but Davis managed top scramble and come up with a takdown of his own for 5-2 lead.
Logan managed to escape to cut the lead to 5-3 and forced the action on his feet in an attempt to tie the match.
Again, another Brown shot turned into Davis points as the Penn State wrestler managed to scramble his way out of trouble.
Logan escaped once again and surrendered a final takedown to Davis on another shot attempt to make the final score 9-4.
Next up for Logan was No. 12 ranked Joseph Rovelli of Hofstra, who defeated Indiana's Joe Fagiano in overtime in consolations.
Logan shot in for a double-leg seconds into the match, but much like Davis did earlier, Rovelli scrambled and managed to come up with the takedown. Rovelli then used his legs to turn Logan for two back points to take a 4-0 lead after one.
The remainder of the match remained the same as Logan attempted three more shot attempts only to come up short in capturing the takedowns. Rovelli was able to capitalize for a major decision to end Logan's run in the NCAA Championships.
Despite dropping his final two matches, Brown accomplishments in his freshman season at Purdue only sets the tone for the future.
As of Friday night's results, four of the top five team scores belonged to Big Ten teams. Logan Brown qualified for the NCAA Championships as a freshman while competing in the toughest conference in the country. With twelve of thirty three wrestlers in the 197 pound weight class being seniors, Logan will likely be nationally ranked and favorite to make a return trip next season.
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