Wrestling only wins two individual matches at Virginia Tech
In their first loss of the season, No. 17 Central Michigan wrestling fell 26-6 to No. 9 Virginia Tech in Blacksburg, Virginia on Nov. 19.
CMU took only two individual match victories compared to Virginia Tech’s eight. CMU fell to 1-1 on the season, while Virginia Tech remains perfect through three dual meets.
Head coach Tom Borrelli cited conditioning as his principal concern, hoping they’d have come out more aggressively.
This was the second dual meet in a three-day span for the Chippewas, as they topped Michigan State this past Friday.
The two victories against Virginia Tech came by No. 20 redshirt sophomore Mason Smith (141-pound) and No. 14 senior C.J. Brucki (174).
Smith won 5-0 against Brent Moore, giving him a 6-1 record on the season. This was Smith's second shutout of the weekend.
Brucki’s win came on a last-second reversal, giving him a 6-4 lead. This win follows a 12-10 loss against MSU on Friday.
Results
Redshirt freshmen Drew Hildebrandt (125) and Dresden Simon dropped their matches 6-1 and 8-4, respectively. This was Hildebrandt’s second career dual meet, and Simon’s first.
Borrelli said he’s excited about his young athletes, and today he was pleased with their effort.
The highest ranked Chippewa, No. 5 Justin Oliver (147), lost in a last-second finish to No. 7 Solomon Chishko. Referees gave Chishko a takedown after a review — giving Oliver a 3-1 loss. Chishko topped Oliver in last season's NCAA Tournament. This was Oliver’s first loss of the season.
No. 13 senior Collin Heffernan (157) suffered a 3-1 overtime loss to unranked redshirt freshman B.C. LaPrade.
Redshirt sophomore Logan Parks (165) dropped his match to Davis McFadden 12-4.
The 184 weight class was the other match pitting two ranked athletes against each other – along with the 147. Senior Jordan Ellingwood (184), ranked ninth, lost a close 7-4 against No. 7 Zach Zavatsky.
Junior Jordan Atienza (197) was beaten by Jared Haught, 13-2.
Redshirt freshman Matt Stencil took Andrew Dunn to overtime, but suffered a 6-4 loss after a quick takedown.
CMU will be heading to Las Vegas on Dec. 1 for the Cliff Keen Invitational. The meet will last through Dec. 2, with the first matches at noon.
