Eagles in Second Place After Morning Session at MAC Championships

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KENT, Ohio — The Eastern Michigan University wrestling team enters tonight’s semifinal and wrestle-back matches in second place following a 4-4 mark in first-round action here at the 2008 Mid-American Conference Championship hosted by Kent State University in Kent, Ohio. The Eagles sit in second place with six points, trailing Northern Illinois who has eight team points. Kent State stands in third with four points while Central Michigan, Ohio and Buffalo are tired for fourth with three points each.

Andrew Novak (New Boston, Mich.-Huron) started off the day with a pin in the 125-pound class for EMU. Multiple takedowns and near falls gave Novak a 10-0 advantage over Heath Allen (Ohio) late in the second period. With 24 seconds left in the period, Novak was able to secure the pin, giving the Green and White the early team lead.

In the 133-pound match, No. 15 Sean Clair (Turtlecreek, Pa.-Plum) squared off against Quentin Keyes (Ohio). Clair found himself in unusual territory just one minute into the match; down 4-0. After an escape, Clair cut the lead to 4-1 at the end of the first period. Choosing a bottom start to the second period, Clair continued to cut the deficit, escaping with 1:34 remaining in the period and bringing the score to 4-2 in favor of Keyes. Just over a minute later Clair tied the match with his first takedown of the match, but the lead would not last long as Keyes reversed, regaining a 6-4 lead at the close of the second period. Down 6-4 with the top position to start the third period, Clair began to accumulate riding time and forced Keyes into two stalling class, cutting the lead to 6-5. With riding time locked up for Clair, the third period closed, knotting the score at 6-6. In overtime, Keyes was able to position himself for the two-point takedown and the win with less then 30 seconds on the clock.

After Zach Donofrio (Monroe, Mich.-Dundee) dropped a 10-4 decision to No. 1 seeded Drew Lashaway (Kent State), redshirt sophomore David Pienaar (Trafford, Pa.-Greensburg Central Catholic) faced Ryan Needle (Buffalo) in first round action in the 149-pound class. Needle avenged an earlier 3-2 loss, scoring a 7-3 decision.

Senior Cory Mancuso (Brockway, Pa.-Brockway) continued his dominance against MAC opponents, carding a 6-2 decision over Sli Bostelman (Kent State) in the opening round at 157-pounds. An early takedown 20 seconds into the match gave Mancuso the lead which he never relinquished. Mancuso will face Bryan O’Connor (Northern Illinois) in semi-final action later tonight.

In 174-pound action, Derek Foore (Wadsworth, Ohio-Wadsworth) dropped a 7-2 decision to Duke Burke (Northern Illinois) in the opening round. Foore will face the loser of the Brandon Sinnott (Central Michigan) and Jacob Ison (Ohio) match later tonight.

At 197, junior John McClure (Holland, Mich.-West Ottawa) scored a takedown with under one minute remaining in the match to go up 4-3 on Jake Smith (Northern Illinois). McClure was able to hold on for the win, securing a date with top-seeded Wynn Michalak (Central Michigan) in the semi’s. Michalak, the 2008 MAC Wrestler of the Year, scored an 11-1 major decision earlier in the season against McClure.

In the heavyweight class, David Wade (Beavercreek, Ohio-Beavercreek) scored early and often on Tim Samson (Ohio), recording a 10-4 winning decision. Wade will meet top-seeded Bubba Gritter (Central Michigan) in the semi-final round later tonight. Gritter was an 9-3 winner earlier this year against Wade.

The Championship will continue tonight at the M.A.C Center in Kent, Ohio, at 7 p.m.

Eastern Michigan Athletics

Eagles in Second Place After Morning Session at MAC Championships

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