CMU wrestling 'confident' heading into match against Old Dominion
No. 12 wrestling will continue its three-match home stand against Old Dominion at 1 p.m. Sunday.
Since Jan. 12, the Chippewas have been on a four-dual winning streak, securing at least a share of the regular-season Mid-American Conference title. Among the four wins, three were conference victories, one being against No. 5 Missouri.
“The title gives us confidence going into these duals," said sophomore 165-pounder Mike Ottinger. "We’re starting to gather up wins, and we're feeling good right now."
CMU gained its 13th regular season title last Sunday against in-conference rival Kent State in a dominating 27-8 performance. The Chippewas won the first six matches of the dual with junior Scott Mattingly pinning Luke Kern as the main highlight in the 141 weight-class.
“It was a big pin; it got the crowd and the team pumped up," Mattingly said. "It’s a good time for us to get on this roll going into March and the end of the season."
The team not only has a winning streak going, but some of the younger wrestlers are gaining individual recognition. Ottinger was named MAC Wrestler of the Week last week, and Mattingly was named CMU's Scholar Athlete of the Week.
“I’m proud of them and what they have accomplished," said head coach Tom Borrelli. "They go through a lot, sacrificing a lot of time for the team."
The Chippewas will looking to avenge last year’s 18-17 loss against the Monarchs. In last year’s dual, CMU started strong against Old Dominion, winning the first three matches before losing the next four and the contest.
Going into this year’s match up against OD, head coach Tom Borrelli sees some room for improvement.
“We need to be more aggressive on our feet," Borrelli said. "These are things we need to begin fixing for the last part of the season."
Heading into Sunday, Borrelli says the team is in good health, a bit unusual at this point in the season.
The Chippewas look to gain win No. 11 of the season against the Monarchs, which will take them into their last conference dual of the season against Eastern Michigan on Feb. 8.
