Wrestling Locks Up Share of Seventh-Straight MAC Title
Chippewas dominate Kent State, 32-6, to earn record-setting title.
MOUNT PLEASANT — The Central Michigan University wrestling team dominated Kent State, 32-6, on the way to locking up a share of its school-record seventh-straight Mid-American Conference title.
The Chippewas won 9 of the 10 matches in the dual to improve to 15-4 overall, 4-0 in the MAC. Kent State falls to 7-15 overall, 1-4 MAC.
The Chippewas got off to a great start at 197 with No. 10 Wynn Michalak continuing his great freshman season by recording a fall at the 5:55 mark. Michalak was leading 8-0 prior to the fall. He is now 27-5 on the season.
At the heavyweight match, seventh-ranked Bill Stouffer overwhelmed No. 8 Tomas Rodriguez, 3-1. Stouffer scored the deciding takedown in the third period near the edge of the mat. In the match at 125, 18th-ranked Luke Smith used riding time to defeat Drew Opfer, 4-3, increasing CMU’s team lead to 12-0.
Rejoining the lineup from injury, No. 8 Jason Borrelli impressed the crowd with a 9-1 major decision against Clayton Stark. Borelli used two takedowns in the third period for the win. This is Borrelli’s first action since the National Duals.
The lone highlight of the dual for the Golden Flashes was at the 141-pound weight class. KSU’s McGee had a fall against Brandon Carter at the 2:38 mark.
CMU came right back with its own charge as the Chippewas would win the rest of the matches. 10th-ranked Mark DiSalvo earned a tough victory against No. 16 Jason Bake, 3-1. Then, at 157, No. 17 Eric Neil used three takedowns to defeat Kurt Gross, 8-6.
No. 9 David Bolyard, at 165, had a 10-2 major decision against Nick Brenner. Bolyard is now tied at 10th place on the all-time career dual wins in Chippewa history. Next, No. 7 Mitch Hancock edged Aaron Miller with riding time in a 4-3 win.
The final match of the night was a CMU upset in which 184-pounder Russ Vanderheyden won 5-4 over No. 16 Alex Camargo in a close match with an escape and riding time.
CMU hits the road to battle Ohio University in Athens, Ohio, on Sunday, Feb. 20, at 2 p.m. The dual will conclude conference action and the regular season prior to the MAC Tournament.
No. 8 Central Michigan University 32, Kent State 6
125: #18 Luke Smith (CMU) dec. Drew Opfer (KSU), 4-3
133: #8 Jason Borrelli (CMU) major dec. Clayton Stark (KSU), 9-1
141: Jason McGee (KSU) fall Brandon Carter (CMU), 2:38
149: #10 Mark DiSalvo (CMU) dec. #16 Jason Bake (KSU.), 3-1
157: #17 Eric Neil (CMU) dec. Kurt Gross (KSU), 8-6
165: #9 David Bolyard (CMU) major dec. Nick Brenner (KSU), 10-2
174: #7 Mitch Hancock (CMU) dec. Aaron Miller (KSU), 4-3
184: Russ Vanderheyden (CMU) dec. #16 Alex Camargo (KSU), 5-4
197: #10 Wynn Michalak (CMU) fall Nick Hiller (KSU), 5:55
285: #7 Bill Stouffer (CMU) fall #8 Tomas Rodriguez (KSU), 3-1
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