Grapplers Claim Four MAC Champions, Five National Qualifiers
3/8/2009 12:00:00 AM | Wrestling
YPSILANTI, Mich. The outcome may have not been what was hoped for in the team championship with Central Michigan upending Kent State 111.5-82.5. However, the Golden Flashes did manage five NCAA qualifiers and four Mid-American Conference championships.
Despite the second-place finish, Kent State swept the four individual awards. Fifth-year senior Jermail Porter was named MAC Wrestler of the Year while redshirt junior Danny Mitcheff claimed Wrestler of the Tournament. Redshirt freshman Dustin Kilgore was named Freshman of the Year and head coach Jim Andrassy was name MAC Coach of the Year,
The biggest win of the night came for redshirt freshman Kilgore, who claimed his first MAC Championship in dominating fashion. He came out threw a five-point move on Vince DiDona to take control of the match early. Three takedowns and the riding point later, Kilgore had the 184-pound title 12-1.
At 285, fifth-year senior Porter came out on top of Jarod Trice and this time they did not need extra wrestling. He got a takedown in the first and second period and the escape and riding point for the 6-2 win and the automatic qualification for the NCAA Tournament.
Redshirt junior Mitcheff won his first MAC Championship in exciting fashion at 133. Mitcheff got the early takedown against Conor Beebe of Central Michigan. The two would trade escapes, but Mitcheff would all but solidify the win with a third-period takedown to go up 5-2. Beebe would add a final escape but the riding point gave Mitcheff the 133-pound championship.
With the momentum from Mitcheff, fifth-year senior Drew Lashaway stepped to the mat and closed his conference career as a MAC champion in an offensive outburst. Lashaway took the lead with two takedowns in the first. CMU's Tony D'Alie recorded escapes in the first and second, but Lashaway received three back points to lead 7-2 after two. An escape and the riding point in the final period gave Lashway the 141-pound championship.
Despite losing to Scotti Sentes of Central Michigan in the championship finals at 125, sophomore Nic Bedelyon fought back to beat Chris Jenkins of Eastern Michigan 7-3 to take second and qualify for the NCAA Tournament.
At the 165-pound championship, redshirt junior Obie Simpson got pinned within the first minute to take runner-up in his first season in conference action.
Other place winners include redshirt sophomore Chris Estep took third at 174 while fifth-year senior Eric Chine and redshirt freshman Ross Tice took fourth.
| Final Brackets |
