Eagles Kick Off Season at EMU Open

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YPSILANTI, Mich. – The Eastern Michigan University wrestling team began its season Saturday, Nov. 1, with the 17th installment of the EMU Open, here at Bowen Field House. Six Eagle grapplers recorded top-six finishes in the event, which included a trio of top-three performances.

Redshirt freshman J.J. Johnson (Rockford, Mich.-Rockford) claimed second place for the Eagles in the 149lb. weight class of the open division. After receiving a first round bye, Johnson recorded three straight victories, which included a convincing 20-4 technical fall, and two decisions, 6-5 and 8-6, respectively, before falling in the championship round, 17-6, to Bryce Saddoris of Navy.

Third year head coach Derek DelPorto said of his young wrestler, "This was a great start for J.J. this season, but I know he is not happy abount placing second. He will make up for it next week during practice and I know he is already thinking about the Michigan State Open. I am super excited to see him competing and I am looking forward to the impact he will be making for us this year."

Freshman Aaron Sulzer (Cleveland, Ohio-Holy Name) also earned a second place in the 157lb. weight class of the freshman-sophomore division. Sulzer cruised through his first round matchup, notching a 10-1 major decision. He would then go on to record two pins (at 6:57 and 5:30, respectively) and propel himself into the final. Sulzer was then defeated in a hard-fought final bout, 7-6, by Dustin Fraley of Ashland.

Sulzer’s early success comes as no surprise to coach DelPorto, "I already knew Aaron was a very talented wrestler, that’s why he is here. We are expecting great things from him in the future. We will work on a few old high school habits and he can be competing for a championship every time he wrestles."

Other top-three finishers for the Eagles included true freshman Chris Eggert (Dundee, Mich.-Dundee), who placed third in the 174lb. weight class of the freshman-sophomore division, and redshirt junior Chris Jenkins (Tecumseh, Mich.-Tecumseh), claimed third place in the 133lb. weight class of the open division. Jenkins lost his first match by way of a 7-5 decision to Zac Stevens of Michigan, only to meet him later in the competition and wrestle to an 11-5 victory to take third place.

"Jenkins had a great summer and is probably one of the most talented kids on our team" said DelPorto. "I love his work ethic and he has a great attitude about life right now. I’m excited for him."

Senior Zach Donofrio (Monroe, Mich.-Dundee) and sophomore Andrew Novak (New Boston, Mich.-Huron) shared fifth place in the 141lb. weight class of the open division, after they double forfeited to each other. Sophomore Jordan McGuire (Miamisburg, Ohio-Miamisburg) placed sixth in the 125lb. weight class of the open division.

The Eagles will now hit the road for the Michigan State Open, Nov. 9, as they continue preparations for the dual portion of their schedule.

EMU PLACERS

Zach Donofrio- 141lbs. Open
Zach Donofrio (EMU) dec. Scott Kelly (IND) 11-5
Zach Donofrio (EMU) dec. Juan Archuletta (PUR) 8-7
Zach Donofrio (EMU) dec. John Kohler (MD) 9-7 (OT)
Eric Albright (PITT) dec. Zach Donofrio (EMU) 7-6
Double Forfeit with Andrew Novak
Fifth Place Finish

Chris Eggert- 174lbs. Freshman-Sophomore
First round bye
Chris Eggert (EMU) maj. dec. Tim Meahl (MER) 15-2
Chris Eggert (EMU) maj. dec. Nicholas Terry (MSJ) 9-0
Curran Jacobs (MSU) dec. Chris Eggert (EMU) 11-4
Third Place Finish

J.J. Johnson- 149lbs. Open
First round bye
J.J. Johnson (EMU) tech. fall Nick Leon (OLI) 20-4
J.J. Johnson (EMU) dec. Don Tasser (PITT) 6-5
J.J. Johnson (EMU) dec. Tim Hammer (MSU) 8-6
Bryce Saddoris (Navy) maj. dec. J.J. Johnson (EMU) 17-6
Second Place Finish

Jordan McGuire- 125lbs. Open
Jordan McGurire (EMU) maj. dec. Bill Putman (PUR) 8-0
Jordan McGuire (EMU) maj. dec. Klye Labrecque (OLI) 11-1
Pat McCaffery (Navy) maj. dec. Jordan McGuire (EMU) 18-9
Sixth Place Finish

Andrew Novak- 141lbs. Open
Andrew Novak (EMU) dec. Matt Henry (PUR) 15-11
Andrew Novak (EMU) pin Matt Pagan (Navy) 4:15
Andrew Novak (EMU) dec. Josh Bellinger (BRO) 7-5
Kenny Jordan (Unattached) maj. dec. Andrew Novak (EMU) 15-3
Double Forfeit with Zach Donofrio
Fifth Place Finish

Aaron Sulzer- 157lbs. Freshman-Sophomore
Aaron Sulzer (EMU) maj. dec. Chad Koch (MUS) 10-1
Aaron Sulzer (EMU) pin Glenn Evans (Unattached) 6:57
Aaron Sulzer (EMU) pin Phil Khozien (MSU) 5:30
Dustin Fraley (ASH) dec. Aaron Sulzer (EMU) 7-5
Second Place Finish

Eastern Michigan Athletics

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