CMU wrestlers fall short at NCAA championships
Central Michigan coach Tom Borrelli looks to the scoreboard against Missouri in this February 2020 file photo at McGuirk Arena. (CM Life | Isaac Ritchey | file)
Central Michigan's four wrestlers fell short of All-American goals in their appearance at the 2022 NCAA wrestling championships in Detroit March 17-19.
Senior Matt Stencel was eyeing his third All-American honor but fell short after being pinned by Zach Elm of Missouri in the elimination bracket. Stencel opened Thursday with a victory over Isaac Reid of Lockhaven but later fell to Northwestern’s Luke Davison, placing him in the elimination bracket.
Stencel finished 2-2 in Detroit and ends his Chippewa career 20-6. He leaves behind a legacy, winning a record breaking five Mid-American titles, five NCAA qualifier, and two All-American honors.
After a close 6-5 loss to Nebraska’s Chad Red, Dresden Simon came back to defeat Jacob Butler of Oklahoma with a 14-5 major decision to keep him alive in the elimination bracket. With All-American honors in his sights, he kept his hopes alive with a close 8-7 victory over Parker Filus of Purdue. Yet, his efforts fell short as a 9-5 loss to Andrew Alirez of Northern Colorado eliminated him from the tournament.
Simon was seeded was seeded 15th in his 141-pound weight class and leaves the tournament going 2-2. He ends the season with 20-7 record and leaves behind his wrestling career with two MAC titles, one All-American honor, and a seat at the 100-win club table.
Starting out strong, Johnny Lovett began Thursday with a close 6-5 win over Andrew Caernigla of Navy, but a pin by number two seed Ryan Deakin of Northwestern sent him into the consolation bracket. After a hard-fought battle Friday morning, Lovett fell 4-3 to Penn State’s Brady Berge. Lovett was seeded 15th in the 157-pound weight class and finished the weekend 1-2. He finishes the season with a 22-8 record.
First-time NCAA qualifier Corbyn Munson’s efforts of becoming All-American fell short after being pinned in his opening match against Iowa’s Max Murin, placing him in the consolation bracket. Despite wrestling well and holding his own, he lost to P.J. Ogunsanya of Army 12-7.
Munson who was seeded 25th in the 149-pound weight class ends the weekend 0-2 and finished the season 25-10.
