Central Michigan University Athletics
Wrestlers Head to NIU for MAC Opener
12/2/2015 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Andy Sneddon, CMUChippewas.com
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. - Sure, Tom Borrelli is looking for wins. What coach isn't?
But there is more to it than that as his Central Michigan wrestling team goes to Northern Illinois Thursday (8 p.m.) for its Mid-American Conference-opening dual meet.
"It's the start of the MAC season and we want to get off to a good start," said Borrelli, who is in his 25th season as CMU's coach. "We just want our guys to wrestle hard, be aggressive, and go out and score points.
"I think that's one thing we're working on, trying to gain confidence in ourselves. I think we're better than we think we are and somehow we have to start developing a little attitude, a little swagger. That's something we're really working on."
The Chippewas are 2-0 in duals, winning both of their outings - 18-15 over Rider and 18-16 over Purdue - in the season-opening Eastern Michigan Duals.
NIU is 2-2. One of those losses came to Purdue, 30-9, at the EMU Duals.
The Chippewas, who are ranked 21st by the National Wrestling Coaches Association, last competed more than two weeks ago at the Michigan State Open. Four CMU wrestlers came away with first-place finishes in that event, and 18 placed in the top eight of their respective weight classes.
In seven of the 10 weight classes at Michigan State, CMU had two placers.
"We still feel like we have some good competition in our lineup as far as guys still fighting for starting spots and we're going to sort that out as the month goes on," Borrelli said. "We have two dual meets this weekend then we go to two tournaments. We're still trying to sort some things out, but that's a good thing."
The Chippewas welcome Michigan State on Sunday (2 p.m.) for a non-league dual at McGuirk Arena. It is CMU's first home event of the season, and members of the 1985-86 squad, which won the first MAC wrestling championship in school history, will be honored prior to the meet.
Five CMU wrestlers are ranked in their respective weight classes by Amateur Wrestling News. They are Zach Horan, 20th at 141 pounds; Colin Heffernan, 10th at 149; Luke Smith, 10th at 157; Mike Ottinger, ninth at 174; and Austin Severn, 18th at 184. The poll comprises 20 wrestlers in each of the 10 weight classes.
Horan and Smith are both ranked second in the MAC, while Ottinger, Brent Fleetwood (125) and Corey Keener (133) are each ranked third. Severn, Heffernan and Jordan Wohlfert (165) are each ranked fourth.
Horan, a senior and the defending MAC champion at 141, is 5-2 on the season with one of those losses coming on a 5-3 decision to NIU freshman Steve Bleise in the championship match at the Michigan State Open.
Bleise is 11-2 and ranked 16th nationally. Shawn Scott, a junior who is 9-3 on the year, is NIU's only other nationally ranked wrestler. He is 18th at 197.
Players Mentioned
