Central Michigan wrestling overcomes injuries to defeat Eastern Michigan
Despite being short-handed, the Central Michigan wrestling team managed to beat in-state rival Eastern Michigan on Friday at McGuirk Arena.
The No. 23 Chippewas (7-4, 4-1 Mid-American Conference) were without sophomore wrestler Brent Fleetwood (125-pound weight class), who was injured last Friday at Northern Iowa. The team had to forfeit his match and lost six points, going down 12-4. It was the last points they would surrender, however.
“I don’t know when (Fleetwood) is going to be back,” said Head Coach Tom Borrelli. “Our goal is to get him back soon, but I don’t know when that’s going to be.”
Sophomore Carter Ballinger is the only other Chippewa eligible in the 125-pound category.
After the early deficit, Central Michigan dominated the rest of the match, winning the final six matches to claim the dual meet 22-12 to stay in second-place in the MAC.
“If we were playing football and we had 10 guys and they had 11, it would be pretty hard for us to win,” Borrelli said. “We won a dual meet where we had nine guys and they had ten. You kind of have to feel pretty good about that.”
Senior No. 10 Mike Ottinger (174) defeated Jacob Davis 4-2. Ottinger (22-5) has lost only once in his last seven matches and is the highest-ranked MAC wrestler in his class.
Senior No. 14 Luke Smith (157) got off to a fast start against Devan Marry. Smith was the aggressor the entire match and won an 8-3 decision.
When asked if there was a moment during the match he knew he had Marry, Smith said, “I knew that going in.”
“We have a lot of leaders on our team, most who lead by example, so I expect us to go out there and not be complacent,” Smith said.
Redshirt sophomore Jordan Ellingwood (184) earned a major-decision and four points after beating Derek Hillman 10-3. Ellingwood had three takedowns in the first period.
Senior No. 14 Zach Horan (141) defeated Kyle Springer 4-2 to put the meet out of reach late.
One match that got the fans riled up came in the 197-pound class. Senior Jackson Lewis went up against No. 18 Anthony Abro. Up by one-point late in the third period, Lewis was penalized for back-to-back stalls and a point was awarded to Abro, who won the match in overtime.
“It’s a rule that’s really up to the referees. You really can’t argue with the official. Jackson needs to know to get back in bounds,” Borrelli said. “He’s been right there for a couple years now. He just hasn’t broken through yet. A little bit has to do with technique. A little has to do with composure. I think more of it has to do with him just believing in himself.”
