Four Chippewa wrestlers taking NCAA stage
The Central Michigan wrestling team signs autographs for young fans after their match against Michigan State Friday, February 21 at McGuirk Arena.
Four CMU wrestlers will take the mat and represent the Chippewas at the NCAA championship in Detroit at Little Cesars Arena March 17-19. Seniors Matt Stencel and Dresden Simon will represent the Chippewas one last time.
Meanwhile, redshirt sophomore Johnny Lovett and redshirt junior Corbyn Munson will take NCAA mat for the first time in his young career.
Stencel has dominated all season and looks to dominate once more at the biggest college wrestling stage there is. He qualified for NCAAs with an impressive weekend at the MAC tournament, winning his fifth MAC championship making history. He is 18-4 on the season, most of his wins coming from pins early in the matches. He is seeded eighth in the 285-pound weight class. In his fifth NCAA championship, Stencel looks to add a third All-American honor to his belt.
Simon who is 18-5 on the season is seeded 19th. He received an at large bid to get into the NCAA championships after going 1-2 at the MAC championship. Throughout the season, Simon has dominated in his matches and keeps his control on the mat. He has proven that nothing can keep him down even when he is down in the scoring. Simon looks to add another All-American title to his resume after getting the honor in 2020.
Patience is the name of the game for Lovett. All season long he has stayed patient on the mat, gaining most of his points later in the match sometimes even needing overtime. He comes into NCAAs with a 21-6 record and is seeded 15th. He earned his shot at the NCAAs with a nearly perfect weekend at the MAC championships going 2-1 getting runner up in the 157-pound weight class.
Munson is seeded 25th with an 25-7 record on the season. Munson’s wins come from being aggressive on the match, gaining, and keeping control throughout the matches. He is in his first season as a starter in the 149-pound weight class. Munson punched his ticket to NCAAs by finishing third at the MAC championship.
Each of the Chippewas wrestling look to finish in at least eighth to earn All-American honors.
