Eagles Drop Season Finale to Spartans, 24-6

EAST LANSING, Mich. — The Eastern Michigan University wrestling team closed out its regular season, falling to Michigan State University, 24-6, here at Jenison Field House. Senior Cory Mancuso (Brockway, Pa.-Brockway Area), a 9-2 winner in the 157-pound match and redshirt sophomore David Wade (Beavercreek, Ohio-Beavercreek), a 3-1 winner in overtime, were the lone Eagles to post winning decisions against the Spartans.

“There wasn’t a spectator or wrestler in the building who didn’t think we out-wrestled and out conditioned MSU but they won and I guess that’s what counts,” said head coach Derek DelPorto. “I was proud how hard our guys wrestled and I hope that every kid on the EMU team realizes that the MSU monkey isn’t on our back anymore. Tonight changed how Michigan State perceives EMU Wrestling.”

Michigan State’s Eddie Skowneski opened up the night with an 8-5 decision in the 149-pound match over redshirt sophomore David Pienaar (Trafford, Pa.-Greensburg Central Catholic). Mancuso evened the score at 3-3, with his 9-2 decision in the 157-pound class. A takedown and near fall at the start of the first period put Mancuso up 4-0 on John Fulger. A reversal in the second followed by a takedown and riding time point in the third allowed Mancuso to win his 21 match of the year. Mancuso, the No. 1 ranked 157-pounder in the Mid-American Conference, won his 11th straight dual match tonight and 13th of the past 14th.

MSU opened the flood gates with four straight decisions, taking a 15-3 overall lead. Wade closed the gap to 15-6 with his overtime decision over Alan O’Donnell in the heavyweight match. After ending the third period in tied 1-1, Wade scored a takedown with 24 seconds remaining in overtime, giving him the 3-1 decision.

Michigan State closed out the match taking the final three contests. In the featured match of the night, the 133-pound contest, No. 4 Franklin Gomez outlasted No. 15 Sean Clair (Turtlecreek, Pa.-Plum), scoring a 4-3 decision. A takedown in the first and second period gave Gomez an early 4-1 lead. Clair managed an escape in the second period, cutting the lead to 4-2 at the start of the final period. Choosing the bottom start, Clair again escaped, cutting the lead to 4-3 with over a minute and a half remaining in the period, but was unable to maneuver a takedown, giving Gomez his 11th straight dual win.

The Eagles are idle until the MAC Championship, March 7-8, hosted by Kent State University. DelPorto and the Green and White look to improve on their fifth place finish a year ago. “Now we train for what we have been waiting for all season, the MAC Championship,” said DelPorto.

Eastern Michigan 6 Michigan State 24

125 lbs. – Clint Frutiger (MSU) dec. Andrew Novak (EMU) 8-5

133 lbs. – No. 4 Franklin Gomez (MSU) dec. No. 15 Sean Clair (EMU) 4-3

141 lbs. – Jeff Wimberley (MSU) dec. Zach Donofrio (MSU) 5-3

149 lbs. – Eddie Skowneski (MSU) dec. David Pienaar (EMU) 8-5

157 lbs. – Cory Mancuso (EMU) dec. John Fulger (MSU) 9-2

165 lbs. – Rex Kendle (MSU) dec. Justin Brandel (EMU) 5-2

174 lbs. – John Murphy (MSU) dec. Derek Foore (EMU) 9-5

184 lbs. – Nick Palmieri (MSU) dec. Charlie Pienaar (EMU) 4-1

197 lbs. – No. 15 Joe Williams (MSU) dec. John McClure (EMU) 8-2

285 lbs. – David Wade (EMU) dec. Alan O’Donnell (MSU) 3-1, OT

Eastern Michigan Athletics

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