Wrestling prepares for weekends National Duals
Chris McCarty
The 16-team tournament is regarded as the National Championship of team dual meets, but the 10th-ranked Chippewas enter the meet unseeded. This comes despite the team boasting a 7-0 record in the season.
Head Coach Tom Borrelli said he is not happy with the way the seedings worked out for CMU.
“I question why we were not seeded, especially when looking at some of the teams that are. We are among three or four undefeated teams in the meet, so to me it does not make sense,” he said.
Borrelli questioned Michigan’s seventh seeding, as CMU defeated the Wolverines 19-3 Dec. 5.
Every Top 10 team will compete in the meet, along with six other schools ranked in the Top 25.
Central will match up with No. 2 Iowa, a wrestling power. The teams met in the first round of last year’s meet, with the Hawkeyes gaining a 36-6 victory. The Chippewas only scoring came from an injury forfeit by sophomore heavyweight Bill Stouffer, then wrestling at 197 pounds. CMU went on to a 1-2 record in the meet, and did not place.
The Hawkeyes are highlighted by Luke Eustice (125) and Steve Mocco (heavyweight), both ranked No. 2. senior Jessman Smith (184) and Tyler Nixt (174) also are returning All-Americans.
CMU matches up well to Iowa’s few weaknesses. Chas DeVetter wrestles 149 for Iowa, and is coming off of a major decision loss against No. 1 Oklahoma State. He will match up with junior Ty Morgan. Freshman 157 pounder Joe Johnston will wrestle CMU’s nationally ranked sophomore David Bolyard.
“We are both pretty much the same teams as last year, but hopefully last year’s experience has helped us and we have learned from it,” Borrelli said.
To have success, Central needs big contributions from No. 4 Jason Mester at 141 pountds and No. 6 Kevin Carr at 165 pounds.
Minnesota won last year’s meet, posting a 26-8 victory over the host Buckeyes in the finals. Minnesota went on to also win the NCAA Championship.
