Strong Start, Finish Not Enough as Eagles Fall to Flashes

YPSILANTI, Mich.—The Eastern Michigan University wrestling team closed out the home portion of the 2008-09 season Sunday, Feb. 15, here at Bowen Field House with a 21-13 setback against No. 14 Kent State University. Redshirt sophomore Nick Hendrick (Columbiaville, Mich.-Powers Catholic) and senior Don Funk (Jonesville, Mich.-Jonesville) started the Eagles off with consecutive decisions at 165 and 174, respectively, but the Golden Flashes went on to win five consecutive matches before the Eagles were able to tally another win.

The Eagles (7-10, 1-3 MAC) are now 1-36-1 all-time against KSU (12-4, 4-0 MAC), who handed the Eagles their first loss in four matches.

The event kicked-off with the 165 lbs. match where Hendrick downed Obie Simpson, 6-2. After a scoreless first period, Hendrick recorded an early escape after starting in the down position in the middle frame. A Hendrick takedown was then countered by a Simpson escape to put the score at 3-1 after two periods.

Hendrick remained strong through the third period as he prevented two escapes early and tallied two crucial points with a takedown. Simpson would add an escape with less than one minute to play, but Hendrick held on for the opening round win.

The 174 match saw Funk get the best of Chris Estep, 3-0. With six seconds remaining in a scoreless opening period, Estep fell to the mat with what appeared to be a severe leg cramp. Estep continued the match in obvious pain.

Funk recorded three points in the second and looked to be well in control of the match. Limping back to the starting position to begin the final period, Estep proved to be in no condition to pose a threat to Funk, who went on to win and put the home team ahead, 6-0.

It was up to sophomore Derek Foore (Wadsworth, Ohio-Wadsworth) to keep the Eagles' good fortunes alive in the 184 lb. match against Dustin Kligore. Down 12-5 early in the third period, Foore was abruptly pinned by Kligore at the 5:37 mark, which tied the dual, 6-6.

At 197, senior John McClure (Holland, Mich.-West Ottawa) looked to get his team back in command against Eric Chine. McClure trailed, 6-3, to start the third period, and promptly pulled to within two points thanks to an escape. With just over a minute remaining, Chine notched a crucial takedown to put himself ahead, 8-4. A late McClure escape would not be enough to make an impact, as he ultimately lost, 11-5.

Now trailing in the match, 9-6, redshirt sophomore David Wade (Beavercreek, Ohio-Beavercreek) hit the mat against Jermail Porter in the heavyweight bout. Despite several near takedowns in the middle frame, Wade entered the third period with a slight 3-0 deficit. Wade spent most of that period on the defensive and was never able to muster any points, as KSU recorded their third straight win, 4-1. The Flashes led, 12-6

Redshirt junior Chris Jenkins (Tecumseh, Mich.-Tecumseh) began the 125 lb. match with a takedown and of his counterpart Nic Bedelyon to put him ahead, 4-3, after one period. Jenkins started the third period with an 8-5 advantage and held on until the closing 10 seconds in the match, when Bedelyon was awarded three near-fall points and riding time to stun the home crowd, 9-8. The Flashes were now ahead, 15-6.

At 133, junior Sean Clair (Turtlecreek, Pa.-Plum) and Danny Mitcheff wrestled their ways to a scoreless first period. Clair opened-up the scoring halfway through the second period with an escape, which sent him into the final two minutes with a 1-0 lead. Mitcheff recorded an escape and a takedown in the third period to go ahead, 3-1. Clair came back to within one point, 3-2, in the final 30 seconds. Desperate to hold his advantage, Mitcheff staved-off a final push by Clair and gave the Flashes their fifth straight victory and a commanding 18-5 lead.

The 141 lb. bout featured junior David Pienaar (Trafford, Pa.-Greensburg Central Catholic) and Adam Haas, where Pienaar put the Eagles back on the board with a strong 9-2 major decision. Pienaar built-up a 5-0 lead through two periods and closed out his opponent in the third with another five points including riding time. The Eagles now trailed by eight points, 18-10.

Heading into the final two matches, the Eagles needed big performances from their 149 and 157 lb. contenders. Redshirt freshman J.J. Johnson (Rockford, Mich.-Rockford) provided just that against Clint Sponseller at 149, where he won an impressive 5-1 decision. An incredibly hard-fought match remained tied a one apiece until Johnson notched four near-fall points to take the lead, 5-1, with just over 40 seconds remaining in the final frame. He would hold on the rest of the way to take the 6-1 win. The Eagles were now back within striking distance, 18-13.

In the final match (157), senior Josh Moulton (Grass Lake, Mich.-Napoleon) found himself in a familiar position: needing a big match to win the dual for his team. He took to the mat against Ross Tice, where the two opponents battled to a 5-5 deadlock after five minutes of intense wrestling. Moulton started on offense to begin the final period, but Tice managed to pull ahead, 8-5, in the final minute of the match. Moulton recorded an escape in the closing seconds, but he was not able to overcome Tice who won, 8-6. That KSU victory put the final score at 21-13 for the Flashes.

The Eagles will now head to Athens, Ohio, where they will wrestle in their final Dual of the season against the Ohio University Bobcats Friday, Feb. 20.

KSU 21, EMU 13

165: Nick Hendrick (EMU) dec. Obie Simpson (KSU), 6-2 EMU 3, KSU 0
174: Don Funk (EMU) dec. Chris Estep (KSU), 3-0 EMU 6, KSU 0
184: Dustin Kilgore (KSU) pin Derek Foore (EMU), 5:37 EMU 6, KSU 6
197: Eric Chine (KSU) dec. John McClure (EMU), 11-5 KSU 9, EMU 6
HWT: Jermail Porter (KSU) dec. David Wade (EMU), 4-1 KSU 12, EMU 6
125: Nic Bedelyon (KSU) dec. Chris Jenkins (EMU), 9-8 KSU 15, EMU 6
133: Danny Mitcheff (KSU) dec. Sean Clair (EMU), 3-2 KSU 18, EMU 6
141: David Pienaar (EMU) maj. dec. Adam Haas (KSU), 10-2 KSU 18, EMU 10
149: J.J. Johnson (EMU) dec. Clint Sponseller (KSU), 6-1 KSU 18, EMU 13
157: Ross Tice (KSU) dec. Josh Moulton (EMU), 8-6 KSU 21, EMU 13

Eastern Michigan Athletics

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