Eastern Michigan Athletics
A Feats of Strength Weekend Awaits the Eagles
12/11/2007 12:51:36 PM | Wrestling
Will face No. 15 Edinboro and No. 9 Northwestern
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YPSILANTI, Mich. - The Eastern Michigan University wrestling team will put its 4-0 season record to the test this weekend with matches against two of the country's best programs. EMU will travel to Edinboro, Pa., Friday, Dec. 14, taking part in the "War on the Shore" where they will face the No. 15 ranked Edinboro Fighting Scots. On Sunday, Dec. 16, EMU will welcome No. 9 Northwestern to Bowen Field House. Match time Friday is set for 8 p.m. while Sunday's dual will start at 3 p.m.
FEATS OF STRENGTH: The Eagles will face a tough weekend with matches against two of the country’s top programs. EMU will dig in against No. 15 Edinboro Friday, then return home to Bowen Field House to host the No. 9 ranked Northwestern Wildcats.
WAR ON THE SHORE: After posting a 4-0 record for the week, the Eagles will head to Edinboro, Pa. to take part in the "War on the Shore". The Eagles will square off against the No. 15 ranked team in the land, the Edinboro Fighting Scots.
MR. PERFECT(S): Three Eagle wrestlers remain perfect on the season. Redshirt sophomores Sean Clair (4-0) and David Pienaar (3-0) and true freshman Andrew Novak (4-0) head into Friday’s match against the No. 15 ranked Fighting Scots of Edinboro with unblemished dual records.
LEAN ON ME: Heading into the final match of the day against Liberty, EMU found themselves down 16-9. After Novak and Clair scored winning decisions, the stage was set for David Pienaar, who needed to score a major decision to win the match for the Eagles. Pienaar did just that, defeating Tim Harner 10-2, keeping the Green and White perfect for the year.
CAMPBELLSVILLE SWEEP: EMU tallied a 3-0 record to sweep the Campbellsville Duals over the weekend. The Eagles defeated Newberry 24-11, Campbellsville 33-6 and Liberty 17-16.
CONFERENCE OPENER: The Eagles avenged an 18-15 loss to Ohio a year ago with a 31-6 drubbing of the Bobcats this past week. EMU took eight of 10 matches from OU in its season and MAC dual opener.
DECEMBER TO REMEMBER: The Eagles remain on the road, traveling to Edinboro, Pa., to take part in "The War on the Shore" Dec. 14, facing the No. 15 ranked Fighting Scots. Two days later EMU welcomes No. 9 Northwestern to Bowen Field House. After a Dec. 20 dual against Olivet, the Eagles wrap up the month, Dec. 30 traveling just down the road to the University of Michigan. There, they will face No. 7 Michigan, Lehigh and conference rival Buffalo.
BACK IN THE SADDLE: After having the past three weeks off from competition, the Eagles will pick up action this week with their first dual match of the season. The Ohio University Bobcats will make their way to Bowen Field House Thursday, December 6, with a start time slated for 7 p.m.
BUDDING RIVALRY: Last year’s match with the Bobcats saw the teams even at 15-15 heading into the final match of the night. Redshirt sophomore Josh Lewis would put forth a valiant effort, but came up just short in the 7-6 decision.
ROOKIE NO MORE: Head Coach Derek DelPorto begins his second season at the helm of the Green and White wrestling program. Last season, DelPorto lead the Eagles to a 1-4 record in MAC competition. The lone win, against Buffalo (Feb. 3), was the first in conference competition for EMU since the 2005 season. DelPorto also improved the team’s finish at the season-ending conference tournament, registering a fifth place finish, the highest finish for an EMU team since
STRONG START: Redshirt sophomore and No. 19 ranked Sean Clair has gotten off to a strong start this season. He is the lone Eagle wrestler to place at both opens this season. At the EMU Open he posted a 4-1 record and collected third place honors in the 133 lbs. weight class. At Michigan State he went 4-2 on the day and took home fifth place honors. Clair’s 8-3 mark on the year is tops for Green and White wrestlers.
SIX PLACE AT MSU: The Eastern Michigan University wrestling team had six wrestlers place at the MSU Open. Finishing in fifth place on the day were Wes Schroeder, Jake Wood, Josh Lewis and Sean Clair. Finishing sixth were Jacob Fairchild and Mike Maguire. The one day tournament attracted more than 300 wrestlers from around the country.
R & R UNTIL DECEMBER: EMU’s wrestling team will enjoy a three week break from competition after competing in the MSU Open this past weekend. The Green and White will start dual meet and conference action December 6 as they host the Ohio Bobcats in a Thursday night meet at Bowen Field House. Match start time is set for 7 p.m.
TWO FOR THE SHOW: Two EMU wrestlers enjoyed place finishes at the EMU Open. No. 19 ranked redshirt sophomore Sean Clair posted a 4-1 record on the day and finished third in the 133 lbs. weight class. Redshirt freshman David Wade tallied a 4-2 mark and finished in fifth place in the heavyweight class.
FIRST TIME OUT: Six Eagle freshman recorded two or more wins in their first collegiate competition. Derek Foore (165 lbs.), Justin Joseph (149 lbs.), Jordan McGuire (125 lbs.), and Wes Schroeder (285 lbs.) all posted 2-2 marks on the day. Corey Phillips (149 lbs.) tallied a 3-2 record and J.J. Johnson (149 lbs.) posted a rookie best, 6-2 mark.
AHEAD OF THE REST: Head Coach Derek DelPorto stayed busy during the recruiting period, signing 13 wrestlers to this year’s squad. The 2007 class, DelPorto’s first here at EMU, was ranked 23rd in the nation by InterMat Wrestling. This marks the first recruiting class to be nationally ranked in EMU wrestling history.
CLAIR NATIONALLY RANKED: Redshirt sophomore Sean Clair is ranked No.19 in the 133 lbs. weight class of the pre-season NWCA Divison I national rankings. Clair posted a 28-11 overall record and a 11-3 dual meet record during his freshman year for the Green and White.
TOUGH SCHEDULE: To be the best, you need to beat the best, and EMU will certainly have its chances this season. The Green and White will wrestle against four of the top 20 teams in the nation in No. 5 Michigan, No. 6 Northwestern, No. 10 Central Michigan and No. 16 Edinboro. Also recieving votes for the top 25 and on the EMU schedule this year is Lehigh.
