Eastern Michigan Athletics
Wrestling Prepares for MAC Tournament
3/1/2007 2:49:39 PM | Wrestling
The Eagles will Travel to Buffalo, N.Y., Friday, March 2
YPSILANTI, Mich. – The Eastern Michigan University wrestling team will travel to Buffalo, N.Y. Saturday-Sunday, Mar. 2-4 to compete in the Mid-American Conference Wrestling Championship hosted by the University at Buffalo.
The Eagles enter the MAC Championships with five wrestlers ranked in the top four in their respective weight classes by the conference. Led by seniors Jermain Thompson (Akron, Ohio-Kenmore), ranked No. 2 in the 149 lbs. weight class, Nick Conklin (Milton, Wisc.-Milton), No. 3 in the 165 lbs. weight class, and Tony Lyssiotis (Oxford, Mich.-Oxford), who is ranked second in the 197 lbs., the Eagles will look to improve on its sixth place finish at last year’s championships.
"We have been training hard and smart for this tournament. I am confident that my guys are as prepared and healthy as anyone in the MAC. The system we have here promotes great endurance, physical wrestling and healthy bodies. If these guys are on top of their game with a little luck into the mix, we could do pretty well this weekend," said first-year head coach Derek DelPorto.
This year DelPorto led EMU to its first winning season since the 1990-91 campaign, posting an 8-7 overall record, and earning only the second win in MAC dual meet action in the past 10 years.
Not since the 2003-04 season has an EMU wrestler won his weight class at the conference tournament. DelPorto is hoping to change that this year, calling on his seasoned veterans.
"The MAC Tournament is arguably the toughest NCAA Division I qualifying tournament in the country due to the number of qualifying bids we get," said DelPorto. "Regardless, every qualifying tournament is tough when the NCAA Tournament and your season is on the line. Bottom line, as a competitor at this stage of the game, no matter what conference your in, you must go into the tournament prepared to win it so there is no question who is going to the show at your weight."
First-round matches will begin at 11 a.m. in Alumni Arena.
