CMU wrestling routs Eastern Michigan by 31 points
The CMU wrestling team opened its quest for a Mid-American Conference title with a 31-point win against in-state rival Eastern Michigan.
The 34-3 victory Thursday night against the Eagles was the biggest win since defeating Nebraska-Kearney 37-3 on Dec 19.
“I thought we wrestled well considering we had some young guys in the lineup, and we had to bump some guys around to different weight classes,” said coach Tom Borrelli. “Eastern didn’t perform very well tonight, but we still have some good teams in our conference.”
Senior 125-pounder Matt Steintrager started the match with his first pin of the season. After jumping out to a 10-1 lead, Steintrager pinned freshman Greg Egbert halfway through the second period.
“I really didn’t think Matt Steintrager was ever going to get a pin,” Borrelli said. Sophomore 133-pounder Scotti Sentes snapped Eastern Michigan senior Sean Clair’s six-match win streak with a 6-1 decision.
Also earning technical falls for CMU were 174-pound senior Tyler Grayson and 184-pound freshman Ben Bennett.
“I was really impressed with Tyler,” Borrelli said. “He did some really good things offensively and just had a great match.”
Heavyweight sophomore Jarod Trice extended his 12-match win streak with a 3-1 win over EMU sophomore Wes Schroeder.
“I feel pretty good lately,” Trice said. “I have been trying to do anything to get on that podium.” The win bumps CMU’s record to 10-2 while Eastern Michigan dropped to 7-8-1. The win was the 11th consecutive for CMU against in-state competition.
Central now has a week off before heading south to take on Virginia Tech and Old Dominion on Jan. 29 and Jan. 31.
“It is going to be a good test for us,” Borrelli said. “Both of those teams really no our guys so it is going to be a tough couple of matches.”
Notes
CMU extended its winning streak over EMU to 19 matches. It has not lost to the Eagles since 1991.
The Chippewas had an 18-0 lead after the first five bouts.
Senior Conor Beebe, redshirt freshman Justin McDermitt, redshirt freshman Donnie Corby and senior Eric Simaz also earned wins for CMU.
Grayson, who usually wrestles at 165 pounds, bumped up a weight class and wrestled at 174 pounds in the match.
McDermitt and Corby earned their first career MAC dual victories.
The Chippewas have now won 58 of its last 60 conference dual matches.
