Wrestling picked to finish sixth in MAC preseason poll
Wrestling has been picked to finish sixth in the Mid-American Conference Preseason Coaches Poll released Thursday morning.
CMU has lost a few notable athletes from last season including Ben Bennett, who is the only four-time All-American in program history, and only the second four-time MAC champion in program history. Jarod Trice was a two-time All-American and three-time national qualifier.
Based on the 2013-14 preseason weight class individual ranking, the Chippewas were selected to finish sixth with 10 points. Ohio was picked as the favorite with 19 points while new MAC wrestling affiliate Old Dominion was picked to finish second with 17 points. Defending MAC Tournament Champion Missouri was selected third with 15 points.
Old Dominion, Missouri and Northern Iowa were added as MAC affiliate members in 2012 in wrestling and each have signed five-year agreements.
Five Chippewas were chosen in the 2013-14 MAC weight-class ranking.
Seniors Joe Roth, Scott Mattingly and Craig Kelliher were each ranked in their weight class. Roth was ranked second in the 133-pound class, Mattingly is ranked third in the 149-pound class and Kelliher was picked as the fourth best wrestler in the 184-pound class.
Sophomore Lucas Smith was ranked fourth in the 157-pound class and junior Mike Ottinger is ranked second in the 174 pound class.
2013-14 MAC Preseason Poll 1. Ohio (19.0) 2. Old Dominion (17.0) 3. Missouri (15.0) 4. Northern Iowa (12.5) 5. Kent State (12.0) 6. Central Michigan (10.0) 7. Northern Illinois (6.0) 8. Eastern Michigan (5.5) 9. Buffalo (3.0)
