Eastern Michigan Athletics
Eagles Compete in Desert
12/4/2006 12:48:59 PM | Wrestling
Senior Jermain Thompson lone medal winner
Thompson opened up the first day of the invitational winning his first two matches before being pinned in the quarterfinals by tournament champ Josh Churella (Michigan), who is ranked No. 6 by the NWCA. In the first match, Thompson handled Camille DuPont (Western State), winning a 9-7 decision. In his second match of day one, he defeated No. 17 ranked Mike Parziale (Hofstra) by a 9-5 decision.
On day two Thompson won his first two matches, defeating Matt Dunn (Columbia) 5-2, and Lance Plamer (Ohio State) 4-3. Wrestling the No. 12 ranked wrestler in the country next, Thompson took Matt Coughlin (Indiana) to double overtime before dropping a heartbreaking decision, 4-2. In the fifth place match, Thompson again found himself on the mat with a nationally ranked wrestler in Aaron Martin (Tennessee-Chatanooga), ranked No. 10. Thompson would go on to defeat Martin 4-2, for a fifth place finish in the tournament.
Senior Nick Conklin (Milton, Wisc.-Milton), competing in the 165 lbs. weight class followed up his strong showing at the Hancock Duals, posting a 3-2 record on the day. Conklin opened the tournament against Seth Garvin (Tennessee-Chattanooga), losing a close 6-5 decision. Conklin would then go on to win three straight matches, defeating Taylor May (Nebraska-Kearney) 4-3, Cole Johnson (Adams State) 7-0, and Mid-American Conference foe Mike Ragussa (Buffalo) 4-2 in double overtime. In his fifth match of the tournament Conklin was eliminated by Zach Shannon (Penn) 4-1, who would go on to take fourth place in the tournament.
Also posting victories for Eastern Michigan were Chris Jenkins (Tecumseh, Mich.-Tecumseh) (3-2) in the 133 lbs. weight class, John McClure (Holland, Mich.-West Ottawa) (2-2) in the 184 lbs. weight class and Charlie Walker (Washington, Mich.-Romeo) (1-2) in the heavyweight class.
The Eagles will travel next to Athens, Ohio, Dec. 9, for their first MAC dual meet of the year. The meet is scheduled for a 7 p.m. start.
