Central Michigan University
Northern Iowa
Chippewa Wrestlers Get Back on Track
1/25/2015 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Cullen Maksimowski, CMUChippewas.com
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. -- The Central Michigan wrestling team captured six wins against Northern Iowa on Sunday at McGuirk Arena, beating the Panthers 19-12.
The Chippewas now move to 6-5 on the season and 4-1 in the Mid-American Conference. CMU will wrestle two of its three remaining MAC duels at McGuirk Arena.
After starting the season 1-4 with tough non-conference loses against nationally ranked Edinboro, Northwestern, Iowa State and Michigan, the Chippewas have won five of their last six dual meets. The lone loss in that stretch came against third-ranked Missouri.
"We're getting better and gaining confidence," CMU coach Tom Borelli said. "I think our guys are staring to believe in some of the things we've been working on in practice."
The underclassman in the Chippewas' lineup played a key role in Sunday's win as CMU got victories from freshmen Colin Heffernan (149 pounds), Cody LeCount (157), Jordan Ellingwood (174) and CJ Brucki (184).
Ellingwood took an 11-3 major decision from Curt Maas, who entered the meet 18-5 on the season.
CMU's other victory came from junior Zach Horan (141), the reigning MAC wrestler of the week, who remained unbeaten in the conference matches (5-0) and improve to 13-4 on the season.
One of the biggest matches of the afternoon came when LeCount was able to secure a takedown in overtime to beat Jarret Jensen, 3-1.
"I knew my offense was working well and I knew I could get him," said LeCount. "In overtime, he took a bad shot and I was able to get behind him."
Brucki also had an important win at 184, beating Cody Caldwell, 9-4, to seal the victory. Caldwell was 12-3 on the season.
"Going into the match I knew I needed to stay solid and trust my offense," Brucki said. "I just stuck to my game plan and it seemed to work."
CMU returns to the mat next Sunday when they take on MAC opponent Kent State at 2 p.m. at McGuirk.
Central Michigan 19, Northern Iowa 12
125: Dylan Peters (UNI) dec. Brent Fleetwood (CMU), 8-3
133: Tyler Keselring (CMU) dec. Leighton Gual (UNI), 5-1
141: Zach Horan (CMU) dec. Jake Hodges (UNI), 3-2
149: Colin Heffernan (CMU) dec. Gunnar Wolfensperger (UNI), 5-1
157: Cody LeCount (CMU) dec. Jarrett Jensen (UNI), 3-1 (SV1)
165: Cooper Moore (UNI) dec. Jordan Wohlfert (CMU), 6-3
174: Jordan Ellingwood (CMU) major dec. Curt Maas (UNI), 11-3
184: CJ Brucki (CMU) dec. Cody Caldwell (UNI), 9-4
197: Basil Minto (UNI) dec. Jackson Lewis (CMU), 8-2
285: Blaize Cabell (UNI) dec. Adam Robinson (CMU), 11-6
Players Mentioned
