The Eastern Michigan Wrestling team began its Mid-American Conference schedule with a 22-14 win against the visiting Ohio Bobcats on Sunday. The Eagles advance their record to 5-1 (1-0 MAC).
“Anytime we can get a conference win, that is very huge,” coach Derek DelPorto said. “The win was huge, especially since they have defeated us the last two meetings.”
Jared Germaine began the scoring for the team for the 125-pound weight class with an 8-5 victory to give EMU a 3-0 lead.
Andrew Novack then gave the Eagles the day’s only pin on the 133-pound class against Bobcat senior Jake Wojcik to give EMU a 9-0 lead.
“Andrew’s pin was a gigantic thing.” DelPorto said. “It is pretty tough to get a pin, and to get one in a conference meet, that is an even better situation.”
The Bobcats then scored for the first time in the 141-pound class as Darrin Boing defeated Corey Phillips in a 12-7 decision.
The Eagles then won the next three matches in the 149, 157, and 165 pound classes, all by decisions.
Jaylyn Bohl defeated Brad Squire 7-4, Aaron Sulzer defeated Harrison Hightower 7-4 and Lester France defeated Miles Chapman 5-3 to give the Eagles an 18-3 lead.
OU had a chance after that with the 174 and 184 weight classes winning their decisions. Nick Whitenberg sealed the team victory with his 197 pound match that ended in a 9-1 decision over Ohio’s. The meet then ended in the heavyweight match where Ohio’s Jeremy Johnson defeated EMU’s Wes Schroeder in a 6-2 decision.
“We just need to continue what we are doing. We also get to have a little break but we will need to just keep wrestling hard,” DelPorto said.
EMU’s next meet will take place at the Midlands Championships in Evanston, IL, on Dec. 29.
