Eastern Michigan Athletics
Wrestling Unveils 2009-10 Schedule, Welcomes Seven Newcomers
9/10/2009 3:42:09 PM | Wrestling
Eagles to host nine events including the 18th Annual EMU Open
YPSILANTI, Mich.– The Eastern Michigan University wrestling team announced its action-packed schedule for the 2009-10 campaign Thursday, Sept. 10. The Eagles will host nine home events this season – the first of which will be the 18th Annual EMU Open, Nov. 7. In addition, seven newcomers will look to play a major role in helping propel Head Coach Derek DelPorto's squad to its first Mid-American Conference title since the 1995-96 season.
Joining the EMU wrestling program this year will be Jared Germain (Saginaw, Mich.-Saginaw Valley) at 125 lbs., Greg Gogonas (Austin, Texas-James Bowie) at 125 lbs., Seth Schaner (Big Rapids, Mich.-Big Rapids) at 141 lbs., Mike LeHolm (Jackson, Mich.-Jackson Northwest) at 141 lbs., J.T. Rice (Hilliard, Ohio-Hillaiard Davison) at 157/165 lbs., Phillip Joseph (Lapeer, Mich.-Lapeer East) at 165/174 lbs., and Nick Whitenburg (Temperance, Mich.-Bedford) at 184 lbs.
“I am very excited about our in-coming class”, said DelPorto. “On paper, this is the most achieved recruiting class I have ever brought in. All of these guys coming in have a true passion for the sport and I wouldn't be surprised if a few of them see action in their first year.”
The Eagles open the dual season on the road with a trio of matches Saturday, Nov. 14, at the Northwestern Duals. EMU will square-off against Northern Iowa University, St. Cloud University. Following a Nov. 15 trip to East Lansing, Mich. for the Michigan State Open, the Eagles will travel to Cleveland State University Thursday, Nov. 19. Last season, EMU handled the Vikings to the tune of a 31-10 victory at Bowen Field House.
Northwestern then comes calling Sunday, Nov. 22, at 2 p.m., when the Eagles entertain the Wildcats in the first home bout of the year. The Eagles make it back-to-back home events when they host the MSU Spartans Thursday, Dec. 3, at 7 p.m.
EMU will spend the remainder of December on the road. A busy day Saturday, Dec. 12, will see EMU in action at both the F.I.T.E. Duals and the Cleveland State Open. The F.I.T.E. Duals will pit EMU against Indiana University, Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville and Calumet College. In 2008, the Eagles posted a 2-1 record at the event. The Reno Tournament of Champions Sunday, Dec. 20, in Reno, Nev., will mark the final competition for the Eagles in 2009.
To ring in the new year, the Eagles will face a first-time opponent in Seton Hill University Friday, Jan. 8, in Greensburg, Pa. The Eagles will stay in Pennsylvania for their next event, the Pitt Quad, which will be held Sunday, Jan. 10. Starting at 10 a.m., EMU will take on four foes including: Columbia University, Duquesne University, the University of Pittsburgh, and Waynesburg University.
A home tussle with Clarion University Friday evening, Jan. 15, will give EMU a chance at revenge against the Golden Eagles, who handed them a 21-12 road setback last season. The Eagles will hit the road immediately thereafter for four matches Saturday, Jan. 16, at the Spartan Duals. EMU will grapple with Michigan State for a second and final time as well as Stanford University, Rutgers University and the University of Findlay.
To wrap-up the season, EMU will host five of its final six events starting with Central Michigan University Thursday, Jan. 21. The match will also kick-off the Mid-American Conference portion of the schedule. The Eagles then welcome Thiel University, Olivet College and the University of Indianapolis for the Eastern Duals Saturday, Jan. 23.
Following a pair of home bouts against the University at Buffalo and Northern Illinois University Wednesday and Saturday, Feb. 3 and 5, respectively, the Green and White will participate in its final road match Sunday, Feb. 14, at Kent State University. The regular season concludes with a home bout with Ohio University Sunday, Feb. 21.
Coming off a rocky 2008-09 season in which the Eagles were just 7-11 with a 1-4 conference mark, DelPorto feels his team is in a better position to achieve success this time around. “This is a big year for us as a unit”, remarked DelPorto. “We feel everyone is on the same page. We need to do better in conference matches and have some guys break through on the national scene as well. We have our work cut out for us in our conference.”
The Eagles will then head up to Mt. Pleasant, Mich., March 6-7, where eight-time defending conference champion Central Michigan will host the Mid-American Conference Championship. The NCAA Championship will follow Thursday-Saturday, March 18-20.
EMU fans have the unique opportunity to cheer the home team on a total of nine times in the 2009-10 season– up from three events last season. “We have nine home dates and I hope fans come out this season to support us and witness our growth over the past three years.”
2009-10 FRESHMAN BIOS
Jared Germain (Saginaw, Mich.-Saginaw Valley) • 125 lbs.
Was a four time placer at the State level which included two second place, one third place, and one fourth place showing…Placed seventh at Nationals his senior season…Compiled a 200-14 record over four years.
Greg Gogonas (Austin, Texas-James Bowie) • 125 lbs.
Won the state title his freshman year and placed third, second, and third in his following three years, respectively.
Seth Schaner (Big Rapids, Mich.-Big Rapids) • 141 lbs.
Was a state champion his senior season and placed fifth, seventh, and third in at the state level in his first three years, respectively…Posted a career high school record of 214-21.
Mike LeHolm (Jackson, Mich.-Jackson Northwest) • 141 lbs.
Won the Division II state title his junior year, when he went on to take fourth place at the Fargo Freestyle Nationals…Also finished sixth and seventh at the State Championship his sophomore and senior year, respectively…Completed his high school career with 182 wins.
J.T. Rice (Hilliard, Ohio-Hillaiard Davison) • 157/165 lbs.
Was a four-time Ohio state qualifier and two time runner-up…Placed sixth and seventh at the national level his sophomore and junior seasons and was named an All-American…Also received the title of All-American at the Fargo Freestyle, where he took eighth place…All-time career wins leader at Davidson High with 142 victories.
Phillip Joseph (Lapeer, Mich.-Lapeer East) • 165/171 lbs.
Brother of EMU wrestler Justin Joseph…Was victorious at the State Championship his senior season and placed third his junior year…Posted an overall career record of 202-18 which included a perfect 64-0 campaign his senior season.
Nick Whitenburg (Temperance, Mich.-Bedford) • 184 lbs.
Placed at the state level all four years of his high school career—a first at Bedford High…Took sixth, fifth, seventh, and second place in his four state tournament appearances…Was also a four-year All-Academic Award winner.
Joining the EMU wrestling program this year will be Jared Germain (Saginaw, Mich.-Saginaw Valley) at 125 lbs., Greg Gogonas (Austin, Texas-James Bowie) at 125 lbs., Seth Schaner (Big Rapids, Mich.-Big Rapids) at 141 lbs., Mike LeHolm (Jackson, Mich.-Jackson Northwest) at 141 lbs., J.T. Rice (Hilliard, Ohio-Hillaiard Davison) at 157/165 lbs., Phillip Joseph (Lapeer, Mich.-Lapeer East) at 165/174 lbs., and Nick Whitenburg (Temperance, Mich.-Bedford) at 184 lbs.
“I am very excited about our in-coming class”, said DelPorto. “On paper, this is the most achieved recruiting class I have ever brought in. All of these guys coming in have a true passion for the sport and I wouldn't be surprised if a few of them see action in their first year.”
The Eagles open the dual season on the road with a trio of matches Saturday, Nov. 14, at the Northwestern Duals. EMU will square-off against Northern Iowa University, St. Cloud University. Following a Nov. 15 trip to East Lansing, Mich. for the Michigan State Open, the Eagles will travel to Cleveland State University Thursday, Nov. 19. Last season, EMU handled the Vikings to the tune of a 31-10 victory at Bowen Field House.
Northwestern then comes calling Sunday, Nov. 22, at 2 p.m., when the Eagles entertain the Wildcats in the first home bout of the year. The Eagles make it back-to-back home events when they host the MSU Spartans Thursday, Dec. 3, at 7 p.m.
EMU will spend the remainder of December on the road. A busy day Saturday, Dec. 12, will see EMU in action at both the F.I.T.E. Duals and the Cleveland State Open. The F.I.T.E. Duals will pit EMU against Indiana University, Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville and Calumet College. In 2008, the Eagles posted a 2-1 record at the event. The Reno Tournament of Champions Sunday, Dec. 20, in Reno, Nev., will mark the final competition for the Eagles in 2009.
To ring in the new year, the Eagles will face a first-time opponent in Seton Hill University Friday, Jan. 8, in Greensburg, Pa. The Eagles will stay in Pennsylvania for their next event, the Pitt Quad, which will be held Sunday, Jan. 10. Starting at 10 a.m., EMU will take on four foes including: Columbia University, Duquesne University, the University of Pittsburgh, and Waynesburg University.
A home tussle with Clarion University Friday evening, Jan. 15, will give EMU a chance at revenge against the Golden Eagles, who handed them a 21-12 road setback last season. The Eagles will hit the road immediately thereafter for four matches Saturday, Jan. 16, at the Spartan Duals. EMU will grapple with Michigan State for a second and final time as well as Stanford University, Rutgers University and the University of Findlay.
To wrap-up the season, EMU will host five of its final six events starting with Central Michigan University Thursday, Jan. 21. The match will also kick-off the Mid-American Conference portion of the schedule. The Eagles then welcome Thiel University, Olivet College and the University of Indianapolis for the Eastern Duals Saturday, Jan. 23.
Following a pair of home bouts against the University at Buffalo and Northern Illinois University Wednesday and Saturday, Feb. 3 and 5, respectively, the Green and White will participate in its final road match Sunday, Feb. 14, at Kent State University. The regular season concludes with a home bout with Ohio University Sunday, Feb. 21.
Coming off a rocky 2008-09 season in which the Eagles were just 7-11 with a 1-4 conference mark, DelPorto feels his team is in a better position to achieve success this time around. “This is a big year for us as a unit”, remarked DelPorto. “We feel everyone is on the same page. We need to do better in conference matches and have some guys break through on the national scene as well. We have our work cut out for us in our conference.”
The Eagles will then head up to Mt. Pleasant, Mich., March 6-7, where eight-time defending conference champion Central Michigan will host the Mid-American Conference Championship. The NCAA Championship will follow Thursday-Saturday, March 18-20.
EMU fans have the unique opportunity to cheer the home team on a total of nine times in the 2009-10 season– up from three events last season. “We have nine home dates and I hope fans come out this season to support us and witness our growth over the past three years.”
2009-10 FRESHMAN BIOS
Jared Germain (Saginaw, Mich.-Saginaw Valley) • 125 lbs.
Was a four time placer at the State level which included two second place, one third place, and one fourth place showing…Placed seventh at Nationals his senior season…Compiled a 200-14 record over four years.
Greg Gogonas (Austin, Texas-James Bowie) • 125 lbs.
Won the state title his freshman year and placed third, second, and third in his following three years, respectively.
Seth Schaner (Big Rapids, Mich.-Big Rapids) • 141 lbs.
Was a state champion his senior season and placed fifth, seventh, and third in at the state level in his first three years, respectively…Posted a career high school record of 214-21.
Mike LeHolm (Jackson, Mich.-Jackson Northwest) • 141 lbs.
Won the Division II state title his junior year, when he went on to take fourth place at the Fargo Freestyle Nationals…Also finished sixth and seventh at the State Championship his sophomore and senior year, respectively…Completed his high school career with 182 wins.
J.T. Rice (Hilliard, Ohio-Hillaiard Davison) • 157/165 lbs.
Was a four-time Ohio state qualifier and two time runner-up…Placed sixth and seventh at the national level his sophomore and junior seasons and was named an All-American…Also received the title of All-American at the Fargo Freestyle, where he took eighth place…All-time career wins leader at Davidson High with 142 victories.
Phillip Joseph (Lapeer, Mich.-Lapeer East) • 165/171 lbs.
Brother of EMU wrestler Justin Joseph…Was victorious at the State Championship his senior season and placed third his junior year…Posted an overall career record of 202-18 which included a perfect 64-0 campaign his senior season.
Nick Whitenburg (Temperance, Mich.-Bedford) • 184 lbs.
Placed at the state level all four years of his high school career—a first at Bedford High…Took sixth, fifth, seventh, and second place in his four state tournament appearances…Was also a four-year All-Academic Award winner.
Eastern Michigan - 2018 MAC Wrestling Championships Preview
Monday, June 04
2018 MAC Wrestling Championships 165-lb Match:
Monday, June 04
2018 MAC Wrestling Championships 197-lb Match:
Monday, June 04
2018 MAC Wrestling Championships 285-lb Match:
Monday, June 04