Central Michigan University Athletics
Midlands Another Mountain to Climb for CMU Wrestlers
12/28/2016 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
Andy Sneddon, CMUChippewas.com
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. - By design, the Central Michigan wrestling team has taken a minute between competitions.
The Chippewas finished a very respectable sixth early in December at the Cliff Keen Invitational in Las Vegas. Next is another tournament, the 54th annual Ken Kraft Midlands Championships, which features a rugged field that will present plenty of challenges to the 14th-ranked Chippewas.
"I think it's a little better than Cliff Keen field," longtime CMU coach Tom Borrelli said. "It might be the best Midlands (field) they've had in a few years. It's a really good opportunity for our guys and I think they're excited."
"I think w e have something to prove. I really felt we could have wrestled better in Vegas and done better. From a national perspective I think our guys don't feel like they get the respect they deserve."
It is CMU's first trip to the Midlands, which is hosted by Northwestern, since 2012. The two-day event, scheduled for the Wildcats' Welsh-Ryan Arena, gets under way on Thursday.
The event features 71 ranked wrestlers including 38 who are ranked in the top 10 in their respective weight classes.
Five Chippewas are ranked in the top 20 in their weight class by Amateur Wrestling News, including Colin Heffernan, who is fifth at 157 pounds; and Justin Oliver, who is seventh at 149.
CMU's Jordan Ellingwood is ranked 12th at 184 by AWN, Corey Keener is 18th at 133, and CJ Brucki is 20th at 174.
After the Midlands, the Chippewas open Mid-American Conference competition with a dual at Ohio on Sunday, Jan. 8. The Chippewas return to McGuirk Arena one week later when they entertain No. 22 Northern Iowa in a MAC dual.
At No. 14, the Chippewas are the highest-ranked MAC team behind No. 5 Missouri.
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