EMU Falls in MAC Finale to No. 20 KSU

KENT, Ohio — The Eastern Michigan University wrestling team ran into a streaking Kent State University Golden Flash squad that entered tonight’s match as the No. 20 ranked team in the nation. Kent State spoiled EMU’s Mid-American Conference season finale, 28-6, here at the M.A.C Center. Senior Cory Mancuso (Brockway, Pa.-Brockway) and freshman Derek Foore (Wadsworth, Ohio-Wadsworth) were the only two Eagle wrestlers to record wins on the night.

With one regular-season dual remaining at Michigan State next weekend, the Eagles stand at 15-7-1, and closed out the MAC season at 2-3. Kent State improves to 13-4, 4-0 MAC with the win. KSU will close out their regular-season and MAC season hosting Central Michigan next week with the winner determining the regular-season champion.

No. 19 ranked Drew Lashaway started KSU off on the right track in the 141-pound match, scoring a 12-7 decision over Zach Donofrio (Monroe, Mich.-Dundee). Entering the third period knotted at 4-4, Lashaway broke away with an escape and a takedown to start the period, going up 7-4 and not looking back. At 149, Clint Sponseller followed Lashaway’s lead, earning an escape point and two points for a takedown at the start of the third period to take an 8-5 over David Pienaar (Trafford, Pa.-Greensburg Central Catholic). Sponseller added one point for riding time, taking the match 9-5 and giving Kent State the early 6-0 lead.

Coming off a 3-0 performance at the Eastern Michigan Quad ,Feb. 9, Mancuso stepped up and put the Eagles on the board, registering a 12-3 major decision over Sli Bostelman in the 157-pound match. Mancuso used an early first-period takedown and near fall to jump out to a 5-0 lead after one period. He continued his dominance in the second period, carding two additional takedowns to extend his lead to 9-2. A takedown in the third and one point for riding time rounded out the scoring for the No. 1 ranked 157-pounder in the MAC.

Kurt Gross, the No. 13 ranked wrestler in the latest NWCA/Intermat/USA Today poll increased KSU’s lead to 10-4 after a 14-3 major decision in the 165-pound match over redshirt sophomore Justin Brandel (Saginaw, Mich.-Swan Valley). Midway through the third period of the 174-pound contest, Foore was able to break a 3-3 tie with a two-point reversal, going up 5-3. Foore was able to hold off multiple shots from Chris Estep in the final minute for the victory, bring EMU to within three, 10-7.

The three-point margin was as close as the Green and White would come. Kent State closed out the night winning the final four matches, with a forfeit coming at 133-pounds, the final match of the night. In a heated 125-pound match that ended 16-9 in favor of Nic Bedelyon of KSU, Eastern Michigan was penalized a team point for unsportsmanlike conduct, bringing the score to 22-6 before the last match forfeit.

“The match was a lot closer then the score indicates,” said head coach Derek DelPorto. “The one penalty point was from our bench because we got a little emotional. I actually appreciate the emotion displayed, it shows our guys were into the match.”

The Eagles travel to East Lansing, Mich. Friday, Feb. 22, for their regular season finale against Big Ten Conference power Michigan State. The Eagles and Spartans will commence action at 7 p.m. inside Jennison Field House.

Eastern Michigan 6 vs. No. 20 Kent State University 28
125 lbs. – Nic Bedelyon (KSU) dec. Andrew Novak (EMU) 16-9
133 lbs. – No. 19 Dan Mitcheff (KSU) forfeit
141 lbs. – No. 19 Drew Lashaway (KSU) dec. Zach Donforio (EMU) 12-7
149 lbs. – Clint Sponseller (KSU) dec. David Pienaar (EMU) 9-5
157 lbs. – Cory Mancuso (EMU) maj. dec. Sli Bostelman (KSU) 12-3
165 lbs. – No. 13 Kurt Gross (KSU) maj. dec. Justin Brandel (EMU) 14-3
174 lbs. – Derek Foore (EMU) dec. Chris Estep (KSU) 5-3
184 lbs. – Eric Chine (KSU) dec. Charlie Pienaar (EMU) 2-1
197 lbs. – Michael Blackwell (KSU) dec. John McClure (EMU) 10-5
285 lbs. – Jermail Porter (KSU) dec. David Wade (EMU) 7-2

Eastern Michigan Athletics

Related News

Next Event

Related Videos