Wrestling dominates in-state rival Michigan State, 31-9
Redshirt sophomore Mason Smith poses for a portrait on Nov. 16 in McGuirk Arena.
Seven of ten Central Michigan wrestlers won their individual matches in a 31-9 win over Michigan State in McGuirk Arena Friday night.
Two CMU wrestlers, Matt Stencel (HWT) and No. 9 ranked Jordan Ellingwood (184), pinned their opponents.
"We know that we could of beaten (MSU) a lot worse than we did," Ellingwood said. "This match is preparing us for something bigger down the road."
The Chippewas (1-0) won the home-opening dual meet 31-9 against in-state rival Michigan State. Last season, the Chippewas topped the Spartans 23-12 in East Lansing.
"When you are competing in Division I — nothing is easy," head coach Tom Borrelli said. "We have beat Michigan State a lot over the years and none of them have been easy."
Summary
Chippewa Drew Hildebrandt (125-pound wrestler) fell to Rayvon Foley after scoring an early takedown following the referee's break to tie his shoe. Foley gained the lead with an escape and takedown, however Hildebrandt tallied a reversal in the last second of the first period. Foley retook the lead in the second period and won 9-6.
After a scoreless first period, CMU's Evan Perez (133) and Nathan Ellis were tied at one point when the third period ended. Ellis scored a takedown and topped Perez, 3-1. CMU started the meet with two-straight decision losses and trailed 6-0.
No. 20 Mason Smith (141) outwrestled MSU's Alex Hrisopoulos with a takedown, three four-point near falls and one two-point near fall in the first period. Smith ignited the Chippewas with a technical fall win over Hrisopoulos, 16-0.
After getting the first win of the match, Smith jumped up and swiped his feet. Smith explained he was excited to get the win against someone that he has known for a long time.
"We really feel that Mason Smith is potentially the best wrestler on our team," Borrelli said. "He has a ton of potential."
No. 5 ranked Justin Oliver (149) earned a win over MSU's redshirt freshman Austin Thompson. Oliver scored two takedowns in the first period. The Chippewa junior dominated the entire match and won 15-2. This win gave CMU a three-point lead (9-6).
CMU's No. 13 ranked Colin Heffernan (157) surpassed MSU's Jake Tucker to keep the Chippewa winning streak alive. Heffernan earned a 4-1 lead in the first period and won by 13 (18-5).
At the intermission, the Chippewas led 13-6.
CMU sophomore Logan Parks (165) beat Spartan redshirt sophomore Logan Ritchie thanks to a six-point second period. Parks earned his first dual-meet decision win of the season by a score of 8-3.
No. 14 ranked CJ Brucki (174) faced off with MSU's No. 10 ranked Drew Hughes in the most anticipated matchup of the night. Brucki scored an early takedown in a first round full of action. Hughes suffered a knee injury at the end of the first period, but carried on.
Brucki led 6-1 after the first period, but Hughes kept pace in the second period. Hughes scored a takedown with 20 seconds left in the third period to close the gap to one point, then tied it with an escape. Hughes scored the final takedown and earned a 12-10 victory. The loss shortened CMU's lead to 16-9.
CMU's Ellingwood (184) pinned Spartan Nick Mary to extend CMU's lead with eight first period points and a pin in the second period.
CMU junior Jordan Atienza (197) beat MSU's Matthew Okaiye after two scoreless periods. Atienza earned an escaped in the third period and held the lead for a win by decision.
At heavyweight, CMU's redshirt freshman Stencel pinned MSU's redshirt freshman Christian Rebottaro in the first period.
The Chippewas travel to No. 9 ranked Virginia Tech to take on the Hokies at 3 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19. Following the Virginia Tech dual meet, the Chippewas travel to the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational — a tournament-style meet where wrestlers compete individually.
