MAC DECIDES ?08
3/6/2008 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
MAC DECIDES '08
19 NCAA bids on the line for Super Weekend at
By Ty Linder
With 10 automatic bids to the NCAA Championships going to the individual champions of each weight class, that leaves nine precious spots for a deserving field perhaps twice that size. There are 21 MAC wrestlers representing five of the six schools featured in at least one of this week's national rankings. And that doesn't even include the handful of wrestlers looking to peak as tournament action gets underway.
“It's going to be a fun couple of days,”
The incumbent team champion and, according to many exit polls, the overwhelming favorite to win the title again Central Michigan enters action as the #2-ranked team in the entire country. With a magnificent 16-2 dual meet record, the Chippewas boast nine wrestlers ranked in at least one poll. Competitors such as Brandon Sinnott, Christian Sinnott, Wynn Michalak and Bubba Gritter are ranked in the nation's top five.
“They're obviously very good. They're well-coached and do everything right. They've really set the bar for success in this conference,” Andrassy said.
The host Golden Flashes closed the season with a 14-5 dual meet record and a trio of top-four tournament finishes. KSU was third at the Oklahoma Gold and fourth at the Body Bar Tournament in November, and had a fourth-place finish in January's Virginia Duals.
“We're as healthy as we've ever been,” Andrassy said. “We're hoping all of the matches stay the same except for seven
A year ago, the Chippewas gobbled up six automatic bids to the NCAA Championships with six champions.
The Chippewas have reigned as king of the MAC since the 2002 season. A year ago in
Action will begin for the 2008 Championships Friday at
THE EVENT
2008 MAC Wrestling Championships will decide which 19 wrestlers will advance to the NCAA Championships March 20-22 in
THE TEAMS
#2 Central Michigan, #21 Kent State, Buffalo, Eastern Michigan, Northern Illinois and Ohio.
THE TIMES
Friday Session I
Weigh-ins
Doors Open
Championship Preliminaries
Friday Session II
Doors Open
Championship Semi-Finals, Wrestle-backs
Saturday Session III
Doors Open
Weigh-ins
Championship Finals,
True
Awards Ceremonies
THE TICKETS
Per session: $5 for adults, $3 for senior citizens, children 12 and under, college students.
All Session Passes: $10 for adults, $5 for senior citizens, children 12 and under, college students.
THE MEDIA PLANS
TV Cable 9/Sports Time
Radio/Audio Live play-by-play of the Championship semi-finals and Championship Finals is available through the Kent State Web site. Ty Linder and Matt Miller will handle the commentary.
