Central Michigan University Athletics
CMU's Cameron Wood enters the 2024-25 season ranked second in the Mid-American Conference at 197 pounds.
Photo by: Lauren Verellen '26 - @laurenverellen_photography
Defending Champion CMU First in Preseason MAC Wrestling Rankings
10/30/2024 12:39:00 PM | Wrestling
MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. – Central Michigan finished first in the Mid-American Conference preseason wrestling team rankings, compiled by WrestleStat and released today by the conference office.
The Chippewas return nine of 10 starters from a team that won the MAC title a year ago. Eight of those returnees placed in the 2024 MAC Championships.
"It says a lot about our guys that are returning to the team and the season they had last year," first-year coach Ben Bennett said. "We also understand it's a new season and there are a lot of good teams in our conference. We're just focused on working hard, enjoying what we're doing, and continuing to improve. There's work to be done and these guys are motivated.
"But again, I think it says a lot about the guys we have in our program and the type of wrestlers that we have on our team. It's exciting to have that many quality guys back."
The Chippewas finished with 106 points to edge Lock Haven (104.5 points) in the preseason team rankings. George Mason (103) was third.
In the WrestleStat individual rankings, also released today, CMU's Alex Cramer is ranked first at 174 pounds. Cramer, a graduate student, is the defending MAC champion in the weight class.
Other CMU wrestlers with their weight class, ranking and year: Kaden Chinavare, 125, fourth, redshirt freshman; Sean Spidle, 133, fifth, redshirt junior; Kellen Aure, 141, 10th, redshirt freshman; Mason Shrader, 149, seventh, redshirt junior; Johnny Lovett, 157, third, graduate student; Tyler Swiderski, 165, third, redshirt junior; Adrien Cramer, 184; fifth, redshirt junior; Cameron Wood, 197, second, redshirt juior; Bryan Caves, 285, fourth, redshirt junior.
Alex Cramer and Lovett are the only Chippewas who are ranked nationally as the Chippewas prepare for their annual Maroon & Gold intrasquad dual meet, which is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 1 (7 p.m.) at McGuirk Arena.
Lovett is ranked 12th at 157 by FloWrestling and 16th by InterMat. Cramer is ranked 12th at 174 by FloWrestling and 16th by InterMat.
The Chippewas return nine of 10 starters from a team that won the MAC title a year ago. Eight of those returnees placed in the 2024 MAC Championships.
"It says a lot about our guys that are returning to the team and the season they had last year," first-year coach Ben Bennett said. "We also understand it's a new season and there are a lot of good teams in our conference. We're just focused on working hard, enjoying what we're doing, and continuing to improve. There's work to be done and these guys are motivated.
"But again, I think it says a lot about the guys we have in our program and the type of wrestlers that we have on our team. It's exciting to have that many quality guys back."
The Chippewas finished with 106 points to edge Lock Haven (104.5 points) in the preseason team rankings. George Mason (103) was third.
In the WrestleStat individual rankings, also released today, CMU's Alex Cramer is ranked first at 174 pounds. Cramer, a graduate student, is the defending MAC champion in the weight class.
Other CMU wrestlers with their weight class, ranking and year: Kaden Chinavare, 125, fourth, redshirt freshman; Sean Spidle, 133, fifth, redshirt junior; Kellen Aure, 141, 10th, redshirt freshman; Mason Shrader, 149, seventh, redshirt junior; Johnny Lovett, 157, third, graduate student; Tyler Swiderski, 165, third, redshirt junior; Adrien Cramer, 184; fifth, redshirt junior; Cameron Wood, 197, second, redshirt juior; Bryan Caves, 285, fourth, redshirt junior.
Alex Cramer and Lovett are the only Chippewas who are ranked nationally as the Chippewas prepare for their annual Maroon & Gold intrasquad dual meet, which is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 1 (7 p.m.) at McGuirk Arena.
Lovett is ranked 12th at 157 by FloWrestling and 16th by InterMat. Cramer is ranked 12th at 174 by FloWrestling and 16th by InterMat.
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