Wrestling to host MSU on Friday for first dual meet
Redshirt freshman Drew Hildebrandt ,left, wrestles freshman Brock Bergelin in the Maroon vs. Gold Intrasquad Dual on Oct. 27 in McGuirk Arena.
In its first home meet of the season, Central Michigan wrestling will face off against Michigan State at 7 p.m. Nov. 17 at McGuirk Arena.
Ranked No. 17nationally , the Chippewas boast five ranked wrestlers to MSU’s three.
The top ranked Chippewa is No. 5 junior Justin Oliver (149), who took CMU’s only first place win at the Michigan State Open on Nov. 5.
Two of the biggest matchups of the night will be in the 141 and 174 weight classes – the only two classes with ranked athletes on both teams.
No. 20 sophomore Mason Smith – who took third at MSU – will go against No. 12 Javier Gasca in the 141. Gasca won the MSU Open, though the two never matched up that night.
The 174 will likely show a rematch against No. 14 senior C.J. Bruck and MSU’s No. 10 Drew Hughes, who faced each other in the semifinals at MSU. Hughes took the match 1-0 before losing in the finals.
Also ranked from CMU are seniors No. 9 Jordan Ellingwood (184) No. 13 Colin Heffernan (157). Both took second at MSU.
MSU’s Austin Eicher is ranked 14 in the 133, though he’ll be facing freshman Dresden Simon – who took second at MSU. That meet was Simon’s first in the open division, providing a performance that really impressed head coach Tom Borrelli.
This will be the last home meet for the Chippewas until Jan. 7, when they host Ohio. In its final seven meets, four will be at McGuirk Arena.
