CMU Wrestlers Open at Eastern Michigan
11/4/2016 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Andy Sneddon, CMUChippewas.com
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. - Tom Borrelli knows what his Central Michigan wrestlers can do in the wrestling room.
Now it's time to see what they can do for real.
The Chippewas open the season on Saturday at the Eastern Michigan Open, and Borrelli said he plans to enter at least two dozen wrestlers in the event.
"We'll get a chance to see everybody compete against other people for the first time this year and work from there," he said. "It'll be a good tournament. There'll be about 50 (wrestlers) in each weight and it'll be real competitive."
The Chippewas, who finished 11-5 in duals and placed second at the Mid-American Conference Championships last season, return five national qualifiers including sophomore Justin Oliver, who earned All-America honors by placing seventh last season at 149 pounds in the NCAA Championships.
The Chippewas are ranked 19th in the USA Today/National Wrestling Coaches Association poll. Missouri (fifth) is the only MAC team ranked higher.
The others returning national qualifiers are Jordan Ellingwood (184), Brent Fleetwood (125) and Corey Keener (133). Ellingwood was CMU's lone MAC champion a year ago, placing first at 184.
The lineup also includes several front-line veterans who have been through the grueling collegiate wrestling season, including the likes of Colin Heffernan (157), Jordan Wohlfert (165), CJ Brucki (174), Jordan Atienza (174), Austin Severn (197) and Newton Smerchek (heavyweight).
The Chippewas dual-meet and home opener is Sunday, Nov. 13, against non-conference Virginia. They are then scheduled to partake in the Michigan State Open on Nov. 20 before heading to the prestigious Cliff Keen Invitational in Las Vegas Dec. 2-3.
Players Mentioned
