Wrestling prepares for Old Dominion, Oliver makes progress


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Orland Park, Illinois senior CJ Brucki wrestles Buffalo's freshman Jake Lanning during the match against Buffalo on Jan. 21 in McGuirk Arena.

Wreslting head coach Tom Borrelli said 157-pound wrestler Colin Heffernan is close to being 100 percent after injuring his shoulder in December. 

CMU will enter the Ted Constant Center with a 6-4 record (3-1 in the MAC), while the Monarchs sit at 7-6 (3-1 in MAC action) and host Navy on Friday.

“We just want to keep moving forward,” Borrelli said. “(We’re) not really focusing on one dual meet right now. We’re trying to get ready for the end of the year tournaments."

Sunday’s matchup features only one ranked match at the 141-pound weight class. CMU's No. 9 Mason Smith will face No. 17 Alex Madrigal of ODU. 

True freshman Nolan Saxton will be in the lineup at the 149-pound weight class Sunday in place of the injured No. 4 Justin Oliver.

Oliver has resumed practicing, but his return is yet to be determined.

"I feel like I’ve made a lot of strides so far, (my knee) feels a lot better,” Oliver said. “I’m going to play it by ear, see how it feels (Monday). It’ll be a game time decision, but I feel (next weekend is) definitely a possibility.” 

With 14 days between Sunday’s matchup with ODU and CMU’s last meet against Buffalo, Borrelli has been pleased with some intense practices.

“We’re getting a lot done,” Borrelli said. "I feel like we’re improving, especially conditioning wise and focus and toughness."

Sunday’s dual starts at 2 p.m. and can be seen on ESPN 3.

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