2008 Woodie Awards
SECOND COMING
Michalak finishes runner-up as wrestling takes seventh place at NCAA Championships
By: Aaron Vigneault
Issue date: 3/26/08 Section: Sports
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The senior had lost 7-2 to No. 2 seed Phil Davis of Penn State in the 197-pound championship match.
Despite Michalak's disappointment, the Chippewas ended their best season in nearly a decade with a seventh place finish with 69 points.
Michalak advanced to the finals by winning four straight matches, including a 5-4 decision against No. 5 seed Max Askren of Missouri and a 7-5 decision over top-seed Josh Glenn from American University.
Michalak's runner-up finish added to his résumé of three All-America honors and four Mid-American Conference Championships.
Coach Tom Borrelli said Michalak's season will have an impact on the program for years to come.
"Any time you put someone in the national finals, it's pretty special, especially for our school," Borrelli said. "Any time you have a chance to showcase our program on ESPN, it's great. You don't get that many chances for national recognition, especially in the Olympic sports."
Team effort
Michalak was not alone in leading CMU to its highest point total since posting 67.5 at the NCAA Championships in 1999. Seniors Brandon Sinnott (174 pounds) and Christian Sinnott (184 pounds) finished with the highest placing of their careers, joining senior Bubba Gritter (285 pounds) as CMU All-Americans. Christian Sinnott placed fourth, Brandon Sinnott finished fifth and Gritter was seventh.
"We had a great weekend," Brandon Sinnott said. "I'm so proud of all the seniors that wrestled here; even the younger guys did an excellent job. Everybody wrestled tough, and we ended the year on a good note."
The All-America honor was the second for Brandon Sinnott and Gritter. Christian Sinnott said his first All-America nod was necessary to complete his career.
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