Eagles Soar Past Ohio in Season Opener, 31-6

YPSILANTI, Mich. — The Eastern Michigan University wrestling team opened up Mid-American Conference action with its first dual meet of the season tonight against the Ohio University Bobcats, winning 31-6. The Eagles took eight of 10 matches from the Bobcats, cruising to victory in the season opener.

True freshman Derek Foore (Wadsworth, Ohio-Wadsworth) started the night with a 9-2 decision in the 174 pound class. After taking a 2-0 first period lead, he would increase his lead to 6-0 before Kent Smith would earn a one point escape with a minute remaining in the second period. Foore would add one more takedown and be awarded one point for riding time, taking the opening match 9-2 and giving EMU the early 3-0 lead.

With the win, Eastern moves to 1-0, 1-0 MAC while Ohio falls to 4-2, 0-1 MAC.

Head coach Derek DelPorto has a whole season in front of him, but after tonight’s 31-6 winning performance, stands confident in his young Eagle team. “We stepped it up tonight, with two true freshmen coming out and picking up wins,” said DelPorto. “Derek was one point away from a major decision and Andrew comes out and scores a pin just over a minute into the first period; the future is bright for the Green and White.”

Ohio would counter in the second match of the night, with Eric Schuth taking the 4-3 decision over senior Charlie Pienaar (Trafford, Pa.-Trafford). Schuth would take an early 2-0 lead 40 seconds into the opening period with a takedown. Pienaar would regroup and tie the match at two with an escape in both the first and second period. In the final period Schuth scored a two-point takedown with just 11 seconds remaining, taking the lead 4-2. Pienaar would receive a point for riding time accumulated, but it would not be enough as the Bobcats tied the match at three.

Eastern Michigan would take the next six matches from Ohio and jump out to a 28-3 lead with just two matches remaining.

Junior John McClure (Holland, Mich.-West Ottawa) would score a 3-2 decision over Chris Immarino in the 197 lbs. contest while Jake Wood (Miamisburg, Ohio-Miamisburg) would earn a 7-3 decision over Jason Marshall in the heavyweight class.

Scoring pins on the night were true freshman Andrew Novak (New Boston, Mich.-Huron) and redshirt sophomore Rece Cox (Canton, Mich.-Westland John Glenn). Novak wasted no time in the 125 lbs. contest, earning a takedown less than 30 seconds into the match before finishing off Heath Allen with a pin one minute later. Cox entered the second period of his match against Clay Tucker down 4-1. With just over a minute remaining Cox would score a reversal and follow it with a pin for a win in his first career start.

In the 133 lbs. match redshirt sophomore Sean Clair (Turtlecreek, Pa.-Plum) would control the match from the start, scoring a two-point takedown 39 seconds into the match and never looking back. Seth Morton would earn an escape late in the second period, but was unable to maneuver any further points, with Clair scoring the 9-1 major decision.

     Also posting wins on the night were David Pienaar (Trafford, Pa.-Greensberg Central Catholic) and Justin Brandel (Saginaw, Mich.-Swan Valley). Pienaar would hold off a late comeback attempt by Germane Lindsey for the 6-4 decision. Brandel jumped out to an early 4-0 lead only to have Jacob Ison fight his way back in the final period. Ison would score an escape late in the third and score one point for riding time, but Brandel’s early takedowns would be the difference as he won 4-3.

     DelPorto and the Eagles will travel to Campbellsville, Ky. this weekend to take part in the Campbellsville University Duals. EMU will participate in three separate dual matches during the all-day event Saturday.

Complete Results
125 lbs. Andrew Novak (EMU) fall Heath Allen (OU) 1:31
133 lbs. Sean Clair (EMU) maj. dec. Seth Morton (OU) 9-1
141 lbs. David Pienaar (EMU) dec. German Lindsey (OU) 6-4
149 lbs. Rece Cox (EMU) fall Clay Tucker (OU) 4:22
157 lbs. No. 19 Jake Frerichs (OU) dec. Cory Mancuso (EMU) 6-5 2OT
165 lbs. Justin Brandel (EMU) dec. Jacob Ison (OU) 4-3
174 lbs. Derek Foore (EMU) dec. Kent Smith (OU) 9-2
184 lbs. Eric Schuth (OU) dec. Charlie Pienaar (EMU) 4-3
197 lbs. John McClure (EMU) dec. Chris Immarino (OU) 3-2
285 lbs. Jake Wood (EMU) dec. Jason Marshall (OU) 7-3

Eastern Michigan Athletics

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