Central Michigan University Athletics
Chippewas Prepare For MAC Schedule
1/21/2003 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Jan. 21, 2003
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MOUNT PLEASANT -- The Central Michigan University wrestling team (7-2, 0-0 Mid-American Conference), ranked 14th in the nation by the NWCA coaches poll, travels back to Ohio this weekend to battle the University of Findlay. The dual is set to begin in Croy Gymnasium at 2 p.m.
Findlay is currently ranked 17th in the nation by the Division II coaches. Last week, the Oilers competed in the Division II National Duals tournament in Columbus, Ohio. They went 0-2 in the tournament, falling to No.2 Nebraska-Omaha, 29-10, and St. Cloud State, 21-20. Findlay boasts a returning NCAA Champion in 149-pounder Waylon Lowe. Joey Simcoe at 133 and Lucas Mackesy at 165 also earned All-America honors last year. Findlay is 4-8 for the year.
SERIES INFORMATION: CMU and Findlay have met 13 times with CMU holding a 12-1 advantage in the all-time series. The two teams meet last season at the Hampton Inn "Duels" with the Chippewas coming out on top, 38-6. CMU last traveled to Findlay in 1999 when it won, 25-13. Head Coach Tom Borrelli has never lost to Findlay and the Oilers lone win over CMU came in 1965, 25-10.
HEAD COACH TOM BORRELLI ON FINDLAY DUAL: "It is important that we stay focused and wrestle hard this weekend. With the MAC schedule coming up, this dual will help us get back on our feet after a disappointing tournament last weekend. "Even though Findlay is a Division II school, it has a strong program that will really push our guys. I don't know what type of environment we will encounter down there, but my feeling is that our guys must be able to handle any situation thrown at them."
NATIONAL DUALS RECAP: CMU participated in the National Duals this past weekend, Jan. 18-19, going 0-2 in the prestigious tournament.
The National Duals invites 16 of the top teams in the nation to compete for the "unofficial" title of national dual meet champion. In the tournament were nine of the top 10 teams in the nation.
CMU's first match-up was against No. 2 Iowa, with the Chippewas falling in the hard fought dual, 28-8.
The Hawkeyes jumped out to a 7-0 lead with a win at 125 and major decision at 133. CMU got on the board with a major decision by fourth-ranked Jason Mester (Mineral Point, Wis/Jr.) over 11th-ranked Luke Moffitt, 11-1.
CMU lost two close matches at 149 and 157 before Kevin Carr (Warsaw, Ind./Jr) won by major decision at 165. Iowa controlled the last four matches of the dual with close matches at 174 and 197. Iowa ended up finishing third in the tournament. In the consolation first-round, Boise State defeated CMU in a dual decided by two matches the Broncos won in overtime.
Boise State started strong with a major decision at 125, and then picked up a critical win in double overtime at 133. Jason Mester again got CMU on the board with a victory over fifth-ranked Gabe Vigil, 9-2.
At 149, the Broncos again won a match in overtime and with a victory at 157, they jumped out to a 13-3 lead. CMU won the next three weight classes with wins by: Kevin Carr at 165; Mitch Hancock (Royal Oak/So.) at 174; and Alex Lammers (Huber Heights, Ohio/So.) at 184. With Boise State leading 13-12, the Broncos won the last two match of the dual at 197 and heavyweight.
Winning the National Duals title was No. 1 Oklahoma State by defeating Oklahoma in the finals.
BORRELLI ON THE NATIONAL DUALS: "Even though I am disappointed with the way that we wrestled in the tournament, we learned a lot about ourselves and what we need to improve on.
"Just to be invited to compete in such a exclusive tournament with 15 other top teams is an honor for us. I just had hoped we would have wrestled better. Last weekend was a good experience for our squad and the most important thing is that we learn from our mistakes and continue to improve."
NUMBER ONE: With his two victories at the national duals, Jason Mester has earned the number one ranking by InterMat. He is also ranked seventh by Amateur Wrestling News and sixth by The Wrestling Mall. He was named the MAC "Wrestler of the Week" this week for his performance last weekend. It is the second time this season he has won the award.
Mester ran his undefeated record to 13-0 to begin the season with his victories over the weekend. He picked up victories over fifth-ranked Gabe Vigil of Boise State, 9-2, and 11th-ranked Luke Moffitt of Iowa, 11-1, over the weekend. Five of his victories have come over ranked opponents including previously second-ranked Nate Parker of Oklahoma at the Missouri Open.
