Central Michigan University Athletics
Photo by: Jack Reeber '23,M'25 - @jackreeber.raw
Stencel Named MAC Wrestler Of The Year
4/1/2022 10:51:00 AM | Wrestling
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – Central Michigan's Matt Stencel was named the Mid-American Conference Wrestler of the Year on Friday, a cherry on top of a standout career during which he established himself as one of the very best in the long and storied history of Chippewa wrestling.
"When it's all said and done, Matt had one of the greatest careers ever as a wrestler here," longtime CMU coach Tom Borrelli said. "I think this award for him is well deserved and I'm happy for him and I'm proud of him."
Stencel, a graduate student from Oregon, Ohio, was a six-year member of the CMU program, including a redshirt year in 2016-17 and a COVID-shortened campaign in 2020-21.
He wrestled at 285 pounds throughout his six years and finished his career with a 133-36 record with 74 falls, was a five-time NCAA Championships qualifier, and a two-time All-American. A month ago, he won his record fifth Mid-American Conference championship.
Stencel's 74 career pins is a CMU record, and he is second behind Casey Cunningham, CMU wrestling's lone NCAA national champion, in career victories. Cunningham posted 134 career wins, the last of which came in the 157-pound final at the 1999 NCAA Championships.
Stencel ranks 10th in program history with a .787 win percentage.
Stencel, who earned his first MAC Wrestler of the Year Award in 2020, becomes the fourth Chippewa to capture the award multiple times. Wynn Michalak won a record-tying three times from 2006-08; Cunningham won back to back in 1998-99; and Kevin Vogel earned the award in 1990 and again in 1992.
"When it's all said and done, Matt had one of the greatest careers ever as a wrestler here," longtime CMU coach Tom Borrelli said. "I think this award for him is well deserved and I'm happy for him and I'm proud of him."
Stencel, a graduate student from Oregon, Ohio, was a six-year member of the CMU program, including a redshirt year in 2016-17 and a COVID-shortened campaign in 2020-21.
He wrestled at 285 pounds throughout his six years and finished his career with a 133-36 record with 74 falls, was a five-time NCAA Championships qualifier, and a two-time All-American. A month ago, he won his record fifth Mid-American Conference championship.
Stencel's 74 career pins is a CMU record, and he is second behind Casey Cunningham, CMU wrestling's lone NCAA national champion, in career victories. Cunningham posted 134 career wins, the last of which came in the 157-pound final at the 1999 NCAA Championships.
Stencel ranks 10th in program history with a .787 win percentage.
Stencel, who earned his first MAC Wrestler of the Year Award in 2020, becomes the fourth Chippewa to capture the award multiple times. Wynn Michalak won a record-tying three times from 2006-08; Cunningham won back to back in 1998-99; and Kevin Vogel earned the award in 1990 and again in 1992.
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