MT. PLEASANT, Mich.—The Eastern Michigan University wrestling team dropped its second straight Mid-American Conference match here Thursday evening, Jan. 22, at Rose Arena to the No. 6 Central Michigan University Chippewas, 27-6. The Eagles, who fell to 4-8 (0-2 MAC), have now lost 18 straight matches to the Chippewas, who improved their record to 12-1 (1-0 MAC) with the victory. The setback also marks the fourth against ranked opponents this season and second in as many matches.
Central got the scoring started with a trio of wins to give them an early 11-0 advantage. At 125, redshirt freshman Jordan McGuire (Miamisburg, Ohio-Miamisburg) was defeated with a 19-4 major decision (7:00) by No. 8 Scotti Sentes. At 133, redshirt junior Sean Clair's (Turtlecreek, Pa.-Plum) two-match winning streak was halted by No. 20 Connor Beebe, who posted a 3-0 shutout win. Eric Kruger followed-up in the 141 division with a shutout of his own, 6-0, over redshirt junior Zack Donofrio (Monroe, Mich.-Dundee).
The Eagles got on the board in the 149 division bout as redshirt freshman J.J. Johnson (Rockford, Mich.-Rockford) pulled off a slim 4-3 decision over Ryan Cubberly. Trailing 3-2 with 25 seconds to play in the final period, Johnson recorded a takedown and held on for the win. Eastern cut the deficit to 11-3 as a result.
After senior Josh Moulton (Grass Lake, Mich.-Napoleon) suffered an 11-5 defeat to Tyler Grayson at 157, sophomore Nick Hendrick (Columbiaville, Mich.-Powers Catholic) muscled his way past Pete Puckett, 4-2, at 165. Hendrick used an escape early in the third period to take a 3-2 lead, which proved to be the determining factor in the match. With four bouts remaining, the Eagles were still within eight points, 14-6.
In the final bouts of the match, the Eagles were unable to muster enough firepower to overcome a streaking Chippewas squad. Freshman Chris Eggert (Dundee, Mich.-Dundee) lost an 18-4 major decision to No. 7 Mike Miller in the 174 lb. division. Sophomore Derek Foore (Wadsworth, Ohio-Wadsworth) fell just short of his 11th victory of the season in the 184 lb. match, as he dropped a 4-2 decision to Vince DiDona.
Senior John McClure (Holland, Mich.-West Ottawa) also came up shy by a pair of points at 197, losing to Eric Simaz, 2-0. Rounding out the day in the heavyweight bout was redshirt sophomore David Wade (Beavercreek, Ohio-Beavercreek) and Jarod Trice. Trice got the best of Wade, 9-4, which made the final score 27-6 in favor of the Chippewas.
The Eagles will look to reverse their fortunes when they participate in their final non-conference duals of the season, Jan. 31, at the Gardner-Webb Duals in Boiling Springs, N.C. Awaiting the Eagles will be Appalachian State University, Duke University and hosts Gardner-Webb University.
INDIVIDUAL RESULTS
No. 6 Central Michigan 27, Eastern Michigan 6
125: No. 8 Scotti Sentes (CMU) tech. fall Jordan McGuire, 19-4 at 7:00; CMU leads 5-0
133: No. 20 Conor Beebe (CMU) dec. Sean Clair, 3-0; CMU leads 8-0
141: Eric Kruger (CMU) dec. Zack Donofrio, 6-0; CMU leads 11-0
149: J.J. Johnson (EMU) dec. Ryan Cubberly, 4-3; CMU leads 11-3
157: Tyler Grayson (CMU) dec. Josh Moulton, 11-5; CMU leads 14-3
165: Nick Hendrick (EMU) dec. Pete Puckett, 4-2; CMU leads 14-6
174: No. 7 Mike Miller (CMU) maj. dec. Chris Eggert, 18-4; CMU leads 18-6
184: Vince DiDona (CMU) dec. Derek Foore, 6-4 SV1; CMU leads 21-6
197: Eric Simaz (CMU) dec. John McClure, 2-0; CMU leads 24-6
285: Jarod Trice (CMU) dec. David Wade, 9-4; CMU leads 27-6
