Wrestling Splits in Illinois

DeKalb, Ill. – The Eastern Michigan University wrestling team split a pair of dual matches here today, at the Convocation Center in DeKalb Ill. The Eagles battled Mid-American Conference rival Northern Illinois in the first of two matches, suffering a 20-13 setback. EMU would bounce back to defeat Eastern Illinois, 34-19, in the second and final match of the day and its regular season.

The Eagles entered its match against NIU riding a four-match winning streak, but was unable to take advantage of an early lead, falling 20-13. NIU’s Pat Castillo, ranked No. 16 nationally in the 125 lbs. weight class, gave the Huskies an early 5-0 lead after defeating Jack Cassady (Dearborn, Mich.-Dearborn) with a 20-4 tech fall. Chris Jenkins (Tecumseh, Mich.-Tecumseh) and Zach Donofrio (Monroe, Mich.-Monroe) would take the 133 lbs. and 141 lbs. matches by decision to put the Eagles on top 6-5.

No.12 ranked Mike Grimes would counter the Eagle offensive with a 5-1 decision of Jermain Thompson (Akron, Ohio-Kenmore) in the 149 lbs. class, giving NIU the 8-6 advantage. EMU’s Cory Mancuso (Brockway, Penn.-Brockway Area) would take the 157 lbs. match with a 9-2 major decision, bringing the score to 10-8 in favor of the Eagles.

EMU would drop the next three matches to the Huskies before Tony Lyssiotis’ (Oxford, Mich.-Oxford) 4-2 decision over Nick McClone in the 197 lbs. contest. Down 17-13, heading into the final match of the day, Charlie Walker (Washington, Mich.-Romeo) would would fall to Dave Benner, 5-1, giving the Huskies the victory.

Against Eastern Illinois, EMU would take advantage of a season-high mark for pin falls in a match, four, to defeat the Panthers 34-19. Registering pins for EMU were Chris Jenkins, Jermain Thompson, and Nick Conklin.

The Eagles will be in action next at the MAC Championships, March 3-4, hosted by The University at Buffalo, in Buffalo, N.Y.

NIU 20, EMU 13

Wt Class Wrestlers Score
125 No. 16 Pat Castillo (NIU) tech fall Jack Cassady (EMU) 20-4
133 Chris Jenkins (EMU) dec. Gralan Early (NIU) 7-2
141 Zach Donofrio (CSU) dec. Will McDermott (NIU) 12-10
149 No. 12 Mike Grimes (NIU) dec. Jermain Thompson (EMU) 5-1
157 Cory Mancuso (EMU) maj. dec. Kalen Knull (NIU) 10-2
165 No. 9 Johnny Galloway (NIU) dec. Nick Conklin (EMU) 6-5
174 Danny Burk (NIU) dec. Josh Lewis (EMU) 12-6
184 No. 18 Duke Burk (NIU) dec. John McClure (EMU) 8-4
197 Tony Lyssiotis (EMU) dec. Nick McClone (NIU) 4-2
HWT Dave Benner (NIU) dec. Charlie Walker (EMU) 5-1

EMU 34, EIU 19

Wt Class Wrestlers Score
125 A.J. Ciccarelli (EIU) dec. Jack Cassady (EMU) 7-4
133 Chris Jenkins (EMU) pinned Lenny Grodoski (EIU) 4:11
141 Zach Donofrio (EMU) win by forfeit
149 Jermain Thompson (EMU) pinned Tommy Reamer (EIU) 6:34
157 Cory Mancuso (EMU) tech fall Kyle O’Toole (EIU) 16-1
165 Nick Conklin (EMU) pinned Billy Gallo (EIU) 6:31
174 Kenny Robertson (EIU) pinned Josh Lewis (EMU) :43
184 Greg Perz (EIU) dec. John McClure (EMU) 7-0
197 Tony Lyssiotis (EMU) win by forfeit
HWT Jow Trinka (EIU) pinned Charlie Walker (EMU) 3:25

Eastern Michigan Athletics

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