Eagles Post 2-1 Mark at Wolverine Quad

ANN ARBOR, Mich. — The Eastern Michigan University wrestling team posted a 2-1 record Sunday afternoon at the Wolverine Quad, hosted by the University of Michigan here at Cliff Keen Arena. The Eagles were able to make good on early leads against the Lehigh University Mountain Hawks and the University at Buffalo Bulls, finishing second behind the host Wolverines, who posted a 3-0 record on the day.

With its two wins on the day the Green and White move to 7-3 overall and 2-0 in Mid-American Conference action, where they now stand alone atop the MAC standings.

"Today was a hard fought day," said head coach Derek DelPorto. "Three matches after Christmas break is always challenging. Once again [Andrew] Novak and [Sean] Clair stepped it up and started us off with the lead in all three matches."

The Eagles took the first three matches in the opening dual of the day against Lehigh, jumping out to a 13-0 lead. In the opening match, true freshman Andrew Novak (New Boston, Mich.-Huron) used an explosive, 11-point second period en route to a 21-9 major decision over Mitch Berger in the 125 pound contest.

Redshirt sophomore Sean Clair (Turtlecreek, Pa.-Plum) found himself in unfamiliar territory in the opening seconds of the 133 pound contest; down 2-0 by way of a Seth Ciasulli takedown. Clair rebounded in the second period and took a 3-2 lead on a reversal. Ciasulli took the lead back at 4-3 on a reversal of his own before Clair tied the match at 4-4 with an escape. Overtime was forced after a 5-5 tie in regulation. With just nine seconds remaining in the first overtime period, Clair scored a two-point takedown for the win, pushing his dual meet record to 8-0 on the year.

Posting bonus point wins on the day were the Pienaar brothers. Redshirt sophomore David Pienaar (Trafford, Pa.-Greensberg Central Catholic) scored the first pin of the day for the Green and White late in the third period over Jeff Santo in the 141 pound contest. David built up a 12-5 advantage before scoring the fall at the 5:24 mark. Redshirt senior Charlie Pienaar (Trafford, Pa.-Trafford) raced out to a 7-0 led before yielding an escape point to Kadeem Samuels midway through the second period of the 184 pound match. Charlie added a series of takedowns in the third period on his way to a 14-3 major decision for EMU.

Also, posting a winning decision for EMU was junior John McClure (Holland, Mich.-West Ottawa). McClure took a 7-4 lead into the third period against Alex Iacocca in the 197 pound contest. Iacocca closed the gap to 7-6 with :30 seconds on the clock with an escape and a stalling call on McClure, but was unable to maneuver any further points as McClure earned the last point of the match for riding time accumulated, taking the 8-6 decision.

EMU would repeat its quick start against the No. 7 ranked Wolverines in the second match of the day, scoring decisions in the first two matches to take the early 6-0 lead. In the 125 pound match, Novak trailed Michael Watts 5-4 entering the final period. A two-point reversal followed by a two-point near fall sealed the 8-7 decision in favor of the Green and White.

After two scoreless periods to start the 133 pound contest, Clair earned an escape to start the final period and not look back, taking the 5-2 decision over Chris Diehl and giving EMU a six-point advantage.

Michigan, however, took the final eight matches, including six bonus point wins en route to a 33-6 victory. Posting major decision wins were No. 1 ranked Kellen Russell, 11-2 over Zach Donofrio (Monroe, Mich.-Dundee) in the 141 pound match; No. 1 Eric Tannenbaum, 14-3 over Justin Brandel (Saginaw, Mich.-Swan Valley) at 165 pounds; No. 2 Steve Luke, 20-6 over true freshman Derek Foore (Wadsworth, Ohio-Wadsworth) at 174 pounds; and No. 19 Anthony Biondo, who was a 8-0 winner over McClure in the 197 pound contest. No. 4 Tyrel Todd scored a second period pin over Charlie Pienaar at 184 while No. 8 Josh Churella posted a 22-7 tech. fall over Drew Lesko (Tecumseh, Mich-Tecumseh) in the 149 pound contest.

Novak (125), Mancuso (157), Brandel (165), and both David (149) and Charlie Pienaar (184) all posted winning decisions, while Clair scored a pin in the 133 pound contest to help lead the Eagles to a 21-12 win over the Bulls. The win marks the second year in a row that the Eagles have defeated their MAC rival, with a 28-3 win coming Feb. 3 of last year.

"We are sitting at 7-3 with all three losses coming to top 10 teams. It is a good start but we are never content and do have 14 more duals ahead of us. The key will be to take one match at a time," said DelPorto on where his young Eagle team stands midway through this season.

The Eagles will ring in the New Year by traveling south, heading to Dallas, Texas, to compete in the Lone Star Duals. EMU will wrestle dual matches against the Air Force Academy, Wyoming, Appalachian State and Utah Valley State during the weekend long event. First match is set for 8 a.m., Saturday, Jan. 5. For more information on the 11th Annual Lone Star Duals Event, click here.

EMU 20 Lehigh 16
125 lbs. – Andrew Novak (EMU) maj. dec. Mitch Bergre (LU), 21-9
133 lbs. – Sean Clair (EMU) dec. Seth Ciasulli (LU), 7-5, OT
141 lbs. – David Pienaar (EMU) fall Jeff Santo (LU), 5:24
149 lbs. – Trevor Chinn (LU) maj. dec. Drew Lesko (EMU), 11-2
157 lbs. – Dave Nakasone (LU) dec. Cory Mancuso (EMU), 6-1
165 lbs. – Mike Galante (LU) dec. Justin Brandel (EMU), 5-4
174 lbs. – Alex Caruso (LU) dec. Derek Foore (EMU), 5-2
184 lbs. – Charlie Pienaar (EMU) maj. dec. Kadeem Samuels (LU), 14-3
197 lbs. – John McClure (EMU) dec. Alex Iacocca (LU), 8-6
285 lbs. – Justin Allen (LU) dec. Jake Wood (EMU), 6-4, OT

EMU 6 No. 7 Michigan 33
125 lbs. – Andrew Novak (EMU) dec. Michael Watts (UM), 8-7
133 lbs. – Sean Clair (EMU) dec. Chris Diehl (UM), 5-2
141 lbs. – No. 1 Kellen Russell (UM) maj. dec. Zach Donofrio (EMU), 11-2
149 lbs. – No. 8 Josh Churella (UM) tech. fall Drew Lesko (EMU) 22-7, 6:14
157 lbs. – No. 18 Jeff Marsh (UM) dec. Cory Mancuso (EMU), 5-0
165 lbs. – No. 1 Eric Tannenbaum (UM) maj. dec. Justin Brandel (EMU), 14-3
174 lbs. – No. 2 Steve Luke (UM) maj. dec. Don Funk (EMU), 20-6
184 lbs. – No. 4 Tyrel Todd (UM) fall Charlie Pienaar (EMU), 3:29
197 lbs. – No. 19 Anthony Biondo (UM) maj. dec. John McClure (EMU), 8-0
285 lbs. – Chad Bleske (UM) dec. David Wade (EMU), 8-3

EMU 21 Buffalo 12
125 lbs. – Andrew Novak (EMU) dec. Dan Bishop (UB), 8-2
133 lbs. – Sean Clair (EMU) fall Joe Wilson (UB), 2:54
141 lbs. – Andrew Stella (UB) dec. Zach Donofrio (EMU), 9-7
149 lbs – David Pienaar (EMU) dec. Ryan Needle (UB), 3-2
157 lbs. – Cory Mancuso (EMU) dec. John Cummings (UB), 4-2
165 lbs. – Justin Brandel (EMU) dec. Scott Rendos (UB), 7-6
174 lbs. – Mike Ragusa (UB) dec. Derek Foore (EMU), 3-1
184 lbs. – Charlie Pienaar (EMU) dec. Mickey Moran (UB), 3-2
197 lbs. – Jimmy Hamel (UB) dec. John McClure (EMU), 3-2
285 lbs. – Jeff Parker (UB) dec. David Wade (EMU), 5-2

Eastern Michigan Athletics

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