Central Michigan University Athletics
Wrestling Ends Season At The NCAA Finals
3/19/2001 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
March 19, 2001
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THE TEAM-- The Central Michigan wrestling team completed the season at the NCAA Championships last weekend. The Chippewas finished 34th at the NCAA Finals, had a regular season mark of 14-5 and were a perfect 5-0 in the Mid-American Conference (MAC). They also finished second at the MAC tournament.
THE COACH--Tom Borrelli wrapped up his 10th season as head coach of the Chippewas. CMU is 107-60-5 overall and 39-11 in the MAC under Borrelli. The veteran coach has been named MAC "Coach of the Year" four times and was tabbed "National Coach of the Year" by two organizations in 1998. He has coached 27 MAC champions and 11 All-Americans. Central has finished in the top 10 nationally in two of the last three seasons.
NATIONAL EXPOSURE -- "We sent five wrestlers who have never competed at the national tournament and I think that our lack of experience caught up with us," said head coach Tom Borrelli. "I think competing in that environment and in front that many fans was a great learning experience. Next season, we'll have five returning qualifiers and that gives us a lot to build on."
A LOOK BACK -- "I was happy with the season until the MAC Tournament and the national tournament," commented Borrelli. "I think we peaked around the Virginia Duals or in the MAC season which was too early. That happens a lot with a young team and that's something we'll try and correct for next season. "
NATIONALS REVIEW--Central Michigan sent five wrestlers to compete in the NCAA National Championships in Iowa City, Iowa last week.
Ahmad Sanders (Flint/Sr.) went 2-2 on the weekend at 125. He opened with wins over Jose Leon of Boston University, 11-5, and Tommy Hoang of Duke, 12-3. Sanders was eliminated with two straight losses, one to Mario Stuart of Lehigh, 17-9, and to the No. 6-ranked Matt Brown of Oklahoma, 9-8.
Both Jordan Webster (Washington, Ill./So.) at 133 and Jason Mester (Mineral Point, Wis./Fr.) at 141 were 0-2 in competition. Webster lost to Brandon York of Maryland, 9-3, and to Matt Tomaev of Penn State, 16-8. The No. 10-ranked grappler, Mester, was upset by Mike Castillo of Illinois, 7-2, and Jeremy Hart of Appalachian State, 5-2.
Ty Morgan (New Carlisle, Ohio/Fr.) and Brett Faustman (Mason/So.) finished the weekend at 1-2. Morgan downed his first opponent at 149, Adrian Austin of George Mason, 15-6. He lost his next two, one to No. 3-ranked Adam Tirapelle of Illinois, 11-2, and to George Carter of Bloomsburg, 7-2. Faustman opened with a 4-1 decision over Chris Jones of Drexel at 197. He then dropped matches to the top-ranked Mark Munoz of Oklahoma, 21-6, and Dan Bednar of Ohio, 4-2.
The Chippewas finished in 34th place with a total of eight team points.
NOTES -- This year marks the first time in three years that CMU has not finished in the top 20 ... It also is the first time in three years CMU has not had someone garner All-American accolades.
