Wrestling Comes Up Short Against Buffalo, 25-8

AMHERST, N.Y.—The Eastern Michigan University wrestling team dropped its first of five Mid-American Conference matches here Wednesday, Nov. 26, with a 25-8 loss to the University at Buffalo at Alumni Arena. The Eagles (1-4, 0-1 MAC) continued their rocky start to the season, managing only two victories on the day, while Buffalo (5-1, 1-0 MAC) held the Eagles to just four team points until the final match on their way to the victory.

The match began well for the Eagles as redshirt freshman Jordan McGuire (Miamisburg, Ohio-Miamisburg), defeated Taylor Golba with a 13-5 major decision in the 125 lb. weight class. The Eagles led early, 4-0.

It was all Buffalo from there on out, however, as they racked-up eight wins in a row (six by decision and two by major decision), which accounted for all 26 of their points.

At 133, redshirt junior Chris Jenkins (Tecumseh, Mich.-Tecumseh) was handed his third loss of the season, when he was blanked by Kevin Smith, 4-0. As a result, the Eagles still held a slim 4-3 lead after two bouts.

Redshirt freshman Corey Phillips (Canton, Mich.-Canton) was decisioned, 6-4, by Andrew Stella, in a close match at 141. This gave Buffalo a lead 6-4 after three rounds, a lead which the Eagles would never relinquish.

Desi Green would continue the winning ways for Buffalo, dropping redshirt freshman J.J. Johnson (Rockford, Mich.-Rockford) by a 9-5 tally at 149. Redshirt sophomore Nick Hendrick (Columbiaville, Mich.-Powers Catholic) continued to struggle in the 157 lb. division, losing to John-Martin Cannon by decision,12-6.

Redshirt junior Justin Brandel (Saginaw, Mich.-Swan Valley) suffered a 10-2 major decision at the hands of Ron Majerus at 165.

Seeing his first dual action in his collegiate career, true freshman Chirs Eggert (Dundee, Mich.-Dundee) was shutout by Nate Rock, 4-0, in the 174 lb. weight class. Mickey Moran recorded a decision for the Bulls, when he knocked-off sophomore Derek Foore (Wadsworth, Ohio-Wadsworth), 10-3, at 184.

Rounding off the victories for Buffalo on the day was Jimmy Hamel, who squeaked past senior John McClure (Holland, Mich.-West Ottawa), 2-1, at 197. At this point, Buffalo held a 26-4 lead with only the heavyweight bout remaining.

In the heavyweight match, redshirt sophomore David Wade (Beavercreek, Ohio-Beavercreek) won his third straight bout and improved his season record to 8-5 with an impressive 15-5 major decision over Brett Correll. The win boosted the Eagles’ team score to eight, which put the final score at 25-8 for the Bulls.

With Wednesday’s loss, the Eagles have dropped two straight and have won just five individual matches during that period. Head coach Derek DelPorto said of the Eagles’ recent performance, “We are in a funk right now and it is up to these guys to find out what it takes to win. It’s a matter of finding something within us to gain momentum.”

Eastern Michigan’s last win against a MAC opponent was on Dec. 30, 2007, when they defeated the Bulls, 21-12, at Bowen Field House. Since then, they have lost four consecutive conference bouts. “It’s a long season, but this loss hurts more than our non-conference losses,” said DelPorto.

The Eagles will return home for the first time in over a month when they host Michigan State University Friday, Dec. 5. The match is set for 7 p.m.

EMU 8 vs. BUFFALO 26

125: Jordan McGurie (EMU) maj. dec. Taylor Golba (UB), 13-5.
133: Kevin Smith (UB) dec. Christopher Jenkins (EMU), 4-0

141: Andrew Stella (UB) dec. Corey Phillips (EMU), 6-4

149: Desi Green (UB) dec. John Johnson (EMU), 9-5
157: John-Martin Cannon (UB) dec. Nicholas Hendrick (EMU), 12-6
165: Ron Majerus (UB) maj. dec. Justin Brandel (EMU), 10-2

174: Nate Rock (UB) dec. Chris Eggert (EMU), 4-0
184: Mickey Moran (UB) dec. Derek Foore (EMU), 10-3

197: Jimmy Hamel (UB) dec. John McClure (EMU), 2-1

285: David Wade (EMU) maj. dec. Brett Correll (UB), 15-55

Eastern Michigan Athletics

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