Wrestling heads to Pennsylvania for nonconference action
The Central Michigan University wrestling team will compete in the Edinboro Open at 9 a.m. on Saturday. The Chippewas will look to improve their 7-5 record overall and increase their chances of a earning a wild-card spot in the NCAA tournament.
To qualify for the NCAA Wrestling Tournament, a team has to have a win at least 66 percent of its meets.
Head Coach Tom Borrelli said Saturday’s nonconference showdown will be crucial for the Chippewas.
"We're looking to get our record set to be in line for a first round spot if the MAC tournament doesn't go in our favor," Borrelli said.
Expectations are high for CMU going into the tournament, according to Assistant Coach Ben Bennett.
"We always expect (the wrestlers) will do well,” Bennett said. “Hopefully we can continue to see improvement, and see them execute the things we do in practice.”
CMU will enter the tournament with four wrestlers ranked in the Mid-American Conference: Tyler Keselring, Zach Horan, Colin Heffernan and Jordan Ellingwood.
Horan, who is ranked No.1 in the 141-pound weight class, is 4-2 this season.
Other CMU wrestlers to watch for CMU are freshmen Brent Fleetwood and Cody LeCount. Fleetwood wrestles in the 125-pound weight class and is 8-2 in tournaments this season. LeCount’s record is 13-4.
The Chippewas return home Feb. 15 where they will take on Old Dominion University. OD is one spot behind the Chippewas in the MAC standings with a 3-1 conference record.
