CMU Wrestlers Look to Make Strides
11/6/2015 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Andy Sneddon, CMUChippewas.com
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. - In wrestling, success only comes after a lot of hard work, sacrifices and, in most every case, some humbling setbacks.
In his 25th year as Central Michigan's wrestling coach, Tom Borrelli has seen the ups and downs. Coming off a year that was marred by injury, the fortunes of the program are looking up in 2015-16.
"We created some depth because we wrestled some freshmen last year that we probably wouldn't have otherwise wrestled," said Borrelli, whose team opens on Sunday at the Eastern Michigan Duals/Open. "It's helped the level of competition in our room.
"We're going to have a much more experienced team. With that experience I think we're going to be more competitive. It's hard to say how much more competitive. We'll see."
Three veterans - junior Corey Keener (133 pounds), senior Lucas Smith (157) and senior Mike Ottinger (174) - return to the lineup after sitting out last season with injuries.
Those three, along with mainstays Zach Horan (141), Colin Heffernan (149) and Jordan Ellingwood (184), have qualified for the NCAA Championships at least once each in their respective careers.
"I expect those guys to improve," Borrelli said. "I expect them to improve their placing in the conference. I expect them to improve how they perform at the national tournament. If that happens I can see us having a very good post-season."
Horan is the defending Mid-American Conference champion at 141, a rugged weight class that includes returning All-Americans Chris Mecate of Old Dominion and Lavion Mayes of Missouri.
Horan, who finished 21-6 including 8-0 in the MAC a year ago, enters the season ranked second in the conference behind Mecate. Horan went 2-2 at the NCAA Championships a year ago. He was eliminated on a controversial decision in a 7-5 sudden-victory.
"I think Zach's as ready to do really good things on a national level as he's ever been," Borrelli said. "I feel like the disappointments he's been through the last three years are going to really help him.
"I see a quiet confidence and a quiet determination in Zach that I haven't seen before."
Smith is ranked second in his weight class after going 22-12 and placing second at the MAC Championships in 2014.
Fleetwood, Keener, Jordan Wohlfert (165) and Ottinger are each ranked third in the league. Ottinger is the highest-ranked Chippewa nationally (10th) by Amateur Wrestling News. Horan is ranked 12th, Heffernan (149) is 13th, and Smith is 14th.
The experience doesn't end with those six as the Chippewas are now a veteran group that enters the season with legitimate hopes of contending for a league championship.
Also back are sophomore Brent Fleetwood (14-14 at 125 last season); Wohlfert (18-14 at 165), who is a junior; junior Austin Severn (14-13 at 184); and Newton Smercheck (18-13 at heavyweight).
Among those who will challenge for varsity matches - and very likely will see mat time throughout the season - are sophomores Carter Ballinger (125/133), Jordan Atienza (165), CJ Brucki (174), Jordan Ellingwood (184), redshirt freshman Justin Oliver (149), and senior Adam Robinson (HWT).
The Chippewas open MAC competition with a dual at Northern Illinois on Dec. 3. Their home opener is Dec. 6 against Michigan State.
Three MAC teams, Missouri (ninth), Old Dominion (16th) and Ohio (22nd), appear in the preseason team Top 25. The Chippewas finished 9-6, including 6-2 in the MAC, in duals last year after a 1-4 start.
The Chippewas finished fifth in the MAC Tournament, one point out of fourth and 11 out of third.
"Last year we didn't have any depth because we were starting a bunch of freshmen," Borrelli said. "The first couple of matches of the year, we wrestled Iowa State, Michigan - both top 15 teams - and seven of our 10 weight classes were wrestling their first varsity matches.
"This year we don't put a guy out there who hasn't had some experience. Our goals are more realistic this year."
Players Mentioned
