Central Michigan University Athletics
Wrestlers Cunningham and Marshall Roll at NCAAs
3/17/2000 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
March 16, 2000
ST. LOUIS, MO-- Only three Central Michigan University wrestlers remain in the NCAA Wrestling Championships after the first full day of competition in St. Louis, Mo.
The Chippewas are tied for 21st as a team after rounds one and two.
Ryan Cunningham (Middleton/Sr.) and Chris Marshall (Washington, D.C./Sr.) are both still in the championship bracket.
Cunningham, the No. 4 seed at 174, handed Curtis Owen of Arizona a 10-3 loss in round two. Next up for Cunningham is Randy Pugh of Northern Iowa, the No. 5 seed.
Marshall, the No. 7 seed at 141, defeated the No. 10 seed, Jason DeBruin of Hofstra, with a 3-2 decision in the second round. He will face second-seeded Michael Lightner of Oklahoma next.
Vernon Cannon (Indianapolis, IN/Sr.) is wrestling in the consolation bracket after suffering an 11-0 major decision loss to the No. 3 seed, Steve Blackford of Arizona State. Cannon will face Jeff Rusek of Old Dominion in the wrestlebacks.
Jeremy Hardman (Constantine/Sr.) and Jack Leffler (Morris, IL/So.) were both eliminated for the tournament with second-round losses. Hardman, CMU's 149-pounder, lost a 10-5 decision to Derek Jenkins of Rider. Hardman closed the season 23-12 with seven pins. He was 0-2 in the tournament.
Leffler fell to Ken Haines of Lock Haven by a 5-2 score, knocking the Chippewa heavyweight out of the tournament. Leffler finished the year 16-18 overall and was 0-2 in the tourney.
The top eight individuals in each weight class earn All-American honors. Cunningham is going for his third such accolade while Marshall is looking for his second.
