2008 Woodie Awards
Seniors to bid farewell, MAC title at stake
Issue date: 2/22/08 Section: Sports
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But before they do that, the Chippewas will wrestle for a share of their 10th consecutive Mid-American Conference title today.
CMU can secure at least a share of the MAC championship at 7:05 p.m. today with a win at Kent State (14-4 overall, 4-0 MAC).
The Chippewas (14-2 overall, 3-0 MAC) have beaten KSU in 10 consecutive duals, but the two are battling for the MAC title for the second consecutive season.
Coach Tom Borrelli expects the No. 20-ranked Golden Flashes to greet CMU with a gym full of fans.
"We've wrestled Ohio State, Michigan and have been in those types of situations before," Borrelli said. "Our guys have been through that before. I'm not saying it's going to be easy, but were ready for it and it's a good situation to be in before the postseason."
Central is a veteran team, with seven seniors who will take the mat for the final time in MAC competition this weekend. While a crazy road environment might rattle some younger competitors, senior 184-pounder Christian Sinnott is looking forward to it.
"A crowd like that really gets us up for the match," Sinnott said. "Sometimes if you're wrestling teams without many highly rated guys you lose your focus and come out flat. That's how people get upset. When the crowd is there and rocking it gets you pumped up."
The Chippewas' seven seniors- Brandon Carter, Bubba Gritter, Ben Kelto, Wynn Michalak, Brandon Sinnott, Christian Sinnott and Luke Smith - will wrestle in Rose Arena for the final time Sunday at 2 p.m. against Ohio (6-15 overall, 0-4 MAC).
Before the match CMU will honor its accomplished group of seniors. However, Borrelli may miss one of his least accomplished seniors the most.
"For Ben Kelto to stick his time here out and never be the guy is special and takes a certain type of dedication that you don't see very much," Borrelli said. "In my mind he's meant as much to this program as the guys that have started all four years. He's helped those guys get to were they are and is always ready to go."
The Chippewas don't believe that the emotion of wrestling in its final home dual will affect them emotionally until the end comes.
"It will be a little emotional knowing that it's the last time we will be wrestling in front of those people," Gritter said. "They have been a loyal fan base and congratulate us after each match, but I don't think that stuff will hit us until it's all over."
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