Central Michigan University Athletics
1999-2000 Wrestling Outlook
2/15/2000 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Sept. 1, 1999
Mount Pleasant -
In the game of "King of the Hill," it's a battle just getting to the top of the hill. Once you are there, it's an even bigger battle keeping everyone off.
After claiming back-to-back Mid-American Conference (MAC) tournament titles and top 10 NCAA finishes, the Central Michigan University wrestling team is ready to hold its ground on top. The Chippewas return 10 letterwinners and five starters from last year's squad that went 14-5-1 and 6-0 in the MAC. Three of the returnees are All-Americans.
"Having three All-Americans back is a big plus," ninth-year coach Tom Borrelli said. "It gives us big point scoring potential in all the major tournaments. It also means we have athletes in the wrestling room who have accomplished great things. The young athletes can see what the All-Americans do in practices and matches and then emulate their behavior."
The Chippewas' returning All-American contingent includes two-time All-American Ryan Cunningham (Middleton/Sr.) at 174, Chris Marshall (Washington, D.C./Sr.) at 141 and Chris Vike (Stoughton, WI/Sr.) at 197.
Cunningham placed seventh at nationals last season at 174 after finishing fourth at 158 in 1998. He was 28-8 a year ago and posts a career record of 78-24. There is a possibility he may move down to 165 for his final year. Cunningham is a two-time MAC champion who placed second the only year he did not win.
"Ryan figures to be a factor in the national picture again this season," Borrelli said. "He's had a great career and we're expecting big contributions again this season."
Marshall transferred to CMU in January of 1999 from Clarion. He was 16-0 in a Chippewa singlet heading into nationals where he placed fifth at 141. He finished the year with a 29-2 overall slate, along with claiming a MAC championship.
"Chris is a gifted wrestler with great quickness and explosiveness," Borrelli said. "This season he should be able to settle in and benefit from being in the preseason training. Last season was strenuous on him with the transfer and all the expectations."
Vike became possibly the oldest NCAA wrestling All-American last season with a sixth-place finish in the 197-pound bracket at the age of 29. The former Marine is back to defend his MAC championship and improve his national placing.
"Chris has great tenacity and confidence and he's smart enough to put himself in a position to win every match," Borrelli said. "He brings great experience and maturity to the team."
In order for the Chippewas to be successful this season, they will have to find a way to replace seven letterwinners from last year, including national champion and three-time MAC champion Casey Cunningham, two-time All-American and three-time MAC champion Mike Greenfield and MAC champions Greg Mayer, Chris Snyder and Jay Vesperman.
Ready to step into their shoes are a handful of fifth-year seniors and returning upperclassmen.
"This year is going to be an exciting year from a coaching perspective because we have three fifth-year seniors in John Ivers (New Lenox, IL), Jeremy Hardman (Constantine) and Vernon Cannon (Indianapolis, IN)," Borrelli said. "These guys have been starters on and off throughout their careers and it will be interesting to see what they can accomplish once they get their shot. Hopefully, they can carry on the tradition. It's great to have them stick with the program despite not seeing a lot of action in the spotlight. It is a definite advantage for us because we will have experience and maturity in the lineup instead of having to start a freshman or sophomore at that spot."
Ivers is slated for starting duties at 133 after wrestling at 141 last season. Hardman has stepped up in the past at 149 and was 12-8 a year ago. Cannon has been a starter before and placed second in the MAC at 150 in 1998. He was 13-7 last season at 165 and 174 and he'll wrestle at whichever weight Ryan Cunningham doesn't.
CMU also returns starters Ahmad Sanders (Flint/Jr.) and Jack Leffler (Morris, IL/So.). Sanders was 16-10 while splitting starting duties last season at 125. Leffler was a starter as a true freshman at heavyweight.
Sophomore Joel Trim (Ludington) will have the biggest shoes to fill on the team. He's slated as national champion Casey Cunningham's replacement at 157. Trim was 9-6 last year and placed in several open tournaments.
The biggest question mark of the lineup is 184 where sophomore Tom Welsh (Lansing) will battle transfer Phil Baroni (Massapequa, NY). Welsh was a spot starter for the Chippewas as a freshman. Baroni transfers from Hofstra where he was a starter at 197 last season
CMU has several wrestlers in position to challenge for starting jobs, including Mark Rusz (St. Charles/Fr.) at 125, Derek Phillips (Grosse Pointe/So.) at 141, Russell Clark (Holt/Fr.) at 157, Johnathan Reed (Midland/Fr.) at 157 or 165 and Brett Faustman (Mason/Fr.) at 197. CMU is hoping to stay healthy at 165 and 174 because those two weights are without experienced reserves.
If the Chippewas can find athletes to step into their roles they will beginning for a third straight MAC tournament title and second straight MAC season championship.
"We're shooting to win another MAC title and qualify another seven or eight guys to nationals," Borrelli said. "At nationals, we'd like to finish in the top 10 again. It's definitely possible if those guys who haven't been in the lineup in the past can handle the year-long pressure of being a starter and in the spotlight."
Central will face strong competition during the MAC season.
"Ohio will be strong again this season," Borrelli said. "It is traditionally the powerhouse of the conference and isn't going to let that go away easily. OU redshirted a couple of key people last year so it will be a tough program this year. I really think Buffalo and Northern Illinois are two programs that have been coming along and will surprise people this season."
In addition to the MAC season, CMU has a stacked non-conference slate with some top national tournaments and top-ranked teams on the bill.
"Going back to the National Duals will be a great test and a tool to gauge ourselves by," Borrelli said. "We'll face individuals from some of the perennial national powers on the West Coast at the Reno tournament.
"In addition, we have a great home schedule with non-conference meets against three Big Ten teams, including Northwestern and in-state rivals Michigan and Michigan State. These all should be great matches for our fans."
The Chippewas open the season at the Michigan State Open on Nov. 13-14. Central's home opener is Dec. 12 versus Northwestern. The conference season includes road dates at Eastern Michigan (Jan. 14), Buffalo (Feb. 12) and Kent (Feb. 20) and home matches versus Northern Illinois (Jan. 28) and Ohio (Feb. 6). The MAC tournament is slated for March 4-5 in Buffalo.
The Chippewas hope to qualify as many wrestlers as possible for the NCAA Championships to be held in St. Louis, Missouri, March 16-18. The conference will send all 10 MAC champions along with eight wildcard selections.
