Eastern Michigan Athletics
Wrestling Weekly Release: 12/11/08
12/11/2008 1:47:14 PM | Wrestling
YPSILANTI, Mich.- The Eastern Michigan University wrestling team will be idle until Saturday, Dec. 21, when they head to the annual F.I.T.E. Duals in Park Forrest, Ill. The Eagles will square-off against Harper College, Indiana University and the University of Wisconsin at Whitewater.
EAGLES READY TO "F.I.T.E.": The Eastern Michigan University wrestling team will enjoy some time away from the mat this week, Dec. 7- Dec. 13, as they receive their first break in the schedule since the season began, Nov. 1. The time off will allow Eagle grapplers to prepare for two matches, Dec. 21, when they head to the F.I.T.E. Duals in Park Forrest, Ill. They will be met by Harper College, Indiana University and the University of Wisconsin at Whitewater.
The Eagles’ last trip to the Duals was Dec. 17, 2006, when they split two matches against Indiana University (lost, 3-33) and Harper College (won).
JOHNSON EARNS MAC WEEKLY HONORS: Redshirt freshman J.J Johnson (Rockford, Mich.-Rockford) was named Mid-American Conference Wrestler of the Week for the period ending Dec. 7, 2008. This marks the first time in his career that he has collected the weekly award. Johnson turned in a stunning pin over Tim Hammer Friday evening, Dec. 5, in a non-conference dual in Ypsilanti. His pin at the 3:41 mark of the match came to a thunderous applause of the crowd on hand at Bowen Field House.
BREAK IT DOWN: The pause in the Eagles’ schedule does not mean a complete oasis from wrestling. Head coach Derek DelPorto will use the extra downtime by working closely with his team in order to get them closer to posting more wins. "We used the beginning of this week’s practice to focus on the mistakes we have been making throughout the year thus far" DelPorto said. These "mistakes" have proven costly for the Eagles up to this point in the season. The F.I.T.E. Duals will show whether of not an extra week refocusing and reenergizing will provide the winning answers.
PROGRESSIVE ERA: The Eagles are coming off a tough home,18-15 loss at the hands of the Michigan State Spartans Friday, Dec. 5, at Bowen Field House. The setback puts the Eagles’ season record at 1-5 (0-1 MAC) while the Spartans improve to 3-1. Despite this most recent loss, DelPorto is encouraged with the progress of his young team. "We are getting better everytime we step on the mat" he remarked. "Our record may not show our progress, but it’s certainly there."
Improvement takes time and the Eagles are creeping ever-closer to that time at which they start putting winning performances together. "We have many first-time starters and new faces in the lineup so it may take time for everyone to get on the same page" DelPorto said. "When that happens, we will start winning these close matches."
RAZOR’S EDGE: Friday’s match against the Spartans was arguably one of the most challenging thus far, but the Eagles proved to be up to the challenge. Over 550 fans witness the Green and White take a 15-12 lead into the final two matches after Johnson pinned Tim Hammer in 149 lb. weight class at the 3:42 mark. After the Spartans tied it up, 15-15, No. 15 Rex Kendle knocked-off redshirt junior Justin Brandel (Saginaw, Mich.-Swan Valley), 6-1, at 165 to seal the victory for the Spartans.
TRUE FRESHMAN: Having a lineup filled with first-year wrestlers means a higher demand will be put on said wrestlers to perform and Eagle true freshman Chris Eggert (Dundee, Mich.-Dundee) has answered the call. Eggert has competed in two dual events at 174 and has compiled a season record of 4-5.
PRAIRIE STATE: The F.I.T.E Duals will be the first of three events on the Eagles’ schedule which will be held in the state of Illinois. Monday-Tuesday, Dec. 29-30, the Eagles will travel to Evanston to compete in The Midlands. They will then make one final trip Friday, Feb. 6, for a Mid-American Conference bout against Northern Illinois University in DeKalb.
