No. 5 Chippewas Win Battle of the Beasts

YPSILANTI, Mich. — The Eastern Michigan University wrestling team hosted the No. 5 ranked Central Michigan University Chippewas Saturday evening, Jan. 26, in the inaugural Beauty and the Beast competition held in Bowen Field House. The event, which pitted the CMU and EMU gymnastics and wrestling teams together in the same venue, was won by Central Michigan University, 22-12.

“The biggest thing about tonight was, we wanted to prove that we are not the same team anymore,” said head coach Derek DelPorto. “We were a heavy underdog against a very good team, but there was not one match where we didn’t fight, and that was our goal.”

Central Michigan’s Luke Smith, ranked No. 19 in the latest NWCA/Intermat poll of the 125-pound class, earned a 13-2 major decision over Andrew Novak (New Boston, Mich.-Huron). Smith built an 8-0 lead by the end of the first period and yielded only two escape points to Novak, giving CMU the early 4-0 lead.

Redshirt sophomore Sean Clair (Turtlecreek, Pa.-Plum), ranked No. 18 this week, extended his winning streak to 16 straight, defeating Conor Beebe in the 133-pound contest. After a scoreless first period, Clair choose a bottom start to the second period. Within :25, Clair had earned a one-point escape, which proved to be the difference as he brought the Eagles to within one, 4-3. In addition to his winning streak, Clair also sports an EMU-best 24-3 overall record for the year.

CMU built their lead to 11-3 with winning decisions in the 141-pound and 149-pound matches. Tony D’Alie picked up a 9-4 decision over Zach Donofrio (Monroe, Mich.-Dundee) while Brandon Carter scored an 11-1 major decision over David Pienaar (Trafford, Pa.-Greensburg Central Catholic) in the 149-pound match.

Senior Cory Mancuso (Brockway, Pa.-Brockway Area) closed the gap for the Eagles, tallying an 8-3 decision over Tyler Grayson in the 157-pound match. Mancuso scored a takedown less than a minute into the opening period and never looked back, ending the first period with a 4-1 lead. After a second period escape point, he added a takedown in the third and one point for riding time accumulated.

Redshirt sophomore Justin Brandel (Saginaw, Mich.-Swan Valley) used a late first period takedown to gain an early 2-0 advantage over Pete Puckett in the 165-pound match. Each wrestler would earn escape points in the ensuing rounds, but Brandel’s early takedown proved to be the difference as he was a 3-1 winner. With his win, EMU trailed the Chippewas 11-9 with four matches remaining.

After a 16-5 major decision in favor of No. 3 ranked Brandon Sinnott in the 174-pound match, redshirt senior Charlie Pienaar (Trafford, Pa.-Trafford) carded a 2-0 shutout in the 184-pound contest over Eric Simaz. A third period escape and riding time gave Pienaar his 17 win on the year and brought the Eagles back to life, trailing just 15-12 with two matches left.

Fortunately for CMU, the last two matches of the evening showcased two of their most experienced wrestlers, No. 6 ranked Wynn Michalak in the 197-pound class and No. 8 ranked Bubba Gritter in the heavyweight class. Up by just three points, Michalak’s 11-1 major decision secured the victory for CMU. Gritter picked up a 9-3 decision for good measure, ending the match with the Chippewas on top 22-12.

“We wanted to make sure every match was on their mind tonight,” said DelPorto. “Our guys are the best conditioned wrestlers in the conference and at the MAC Tournament it will prove to be the difference.”

The Eagles will be in action next Saturday, Feb. 2, as they travel to the Empire State to compete at the Ithaca Quad hosted by Ithaca College.

Central Michigan 22 Eastern Michigan 12
125 lbs. - No. 19 Luke Smith (CMU) maj. dec. Andrew Novak (EMU) 13-2
133 lbs. - No. 18 Sean Clair (EMU) dec. Conor Beebe (CMU) 1-0
141 lbs. - Tony D'Alie (CMU) dec. Zach Donofrio (EMU) 9-4
149 lbs. - Brandon Carter (CMU) maj. dec. David Pienaar (EMU) 11-1
157 lbs. - Cory Mancuso (EMU) dec. Tyler Grayson (CMU) 8-3
165 lbs. - Justin Brandel (EMU) dec. Pete Puckett (CMU) 3-1
174 lbs. - No. 3 Brandon Sinnott (CMU) maj. dec. Derek Foore (EMU) 16-5
184 lbs. - Charlie Pienaar (EMU) dec. Eric Simaz (CMU) 2-0
197 lbs. - No. 6 Wynn Michalak (CMU) maj. dec. 11-1
285 lbs. - No. 8 Bubba Gritter (CMU) dec. David Wade (EMU) 9-3

Eastern Michigan Athletics

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