Eastern Michigan Athletics
Thursday, January 21
Bowen Field House
7 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
vs
Central Michigan
No. 7 Chippewas Invade Bowen Thursday Evening
1/19/2010 3:25:59 PM | Wrestling
Eagles open MAC season against eight-time defending conference champs
Complete Release (.pdf)
Click Here to Watch the CMU Match.
EAGLES AND CHIPS KICK-OFF MAC SEASON: The Eastern Michigan University wrestling team will take on its first of five Mid-American Conference foes Thursday, Jan. 21, when it hosts No. 7 ranked Central Michigan University at Bowen Field House. It will be the 70th meeting all-time between the in-state rivals, with the Chippewas holding a 59-9-1 series advantage including an 18-match winning streak over the Eagles.
LAST TIME OUT VS. CMU: Last season the Chippewas handed the Eagles a 27-6 setback, Jan. 22, 2009, in Mount Pleasant, Mich. J.J. Johnson (149 lbs.) and Nick Hendrick (165 lbs.) were the only Eagles to record victories in the contest. Johnson recorded a 4-3 decision over Ryan Cubberly, while Hendrick defeated Pete Puckett, 4-2.
SEARCHING FOR THE ANSWER: The Eagles are coming off a less-than-memorable weekend of action in which they went 1-3 including their second consecutive home loss to Clarion University, Jan. 15. The following day, Jan. 16, the Green and White dropped 2-of-3 at the Spartan Duals with losses to Rutgers University and Stanford University. EMU topped division II opponent the University of Findlay, 21-14.
When asked how his team will respond and focus on CMU, coach Derek DelPorto remarked “We change nothing. We keep training like we have been and challenge our team to be better mentally. We aren't getting beat because we are wrestling better wrestlers, but because we are being 'out-toughed'. That isn't something you practice, that is something you learn how to do on your own.”
WHO'S IT GONNA BE: In order to upset the eight-time defending conference champions and claim a MAC title of its own, the entire EMU squad, players and coaches alike, will need to step up and take responsibility for meeting and exceeding their individual expectations during the conference dual season.
“Every guy that steps on to the mat has to be at their best every match from here on out,” said coach Derek DelPorto. “The coaching staff has to be at its best to assure this team is headed in the right direction going into our MAC Schedule and the home stretch of this season.”
ALL CLAIR: Senior Sean Clair was named Mid-American Conference Wrestler of the Week for the period ending Jan. 17, 2010, the conference office announced Tuesday. This marks the fourth time in Clair's career that he has earned the weekly award, having also received the honor three times during the 2007-08 season. He is also the first EMU wrestler to earn the award this season.
Clair has been quietly racking up victories following a Dec. 3 setback to No. 1 ranked Franklin Gomez of Michigan State University. Since then, he has claimed six straight dual victories, the most impressive of which came at the Spartan Duals, Jan. 16, against No. 17 ranked Bill Ashnault from Rutgers University. Clair pinned Ashnualt at the 3:56 mark of the 133 lbs. bout to give EMU its only lead of the day against the Scarlet Knights, 6-3.
“Sean probably didn't know Ashnault was ranked,” said Head Coach Derek DelPorto. “He really doesn't care about that stuff. I think he is wrestling really well these past few weeks and hope he continues doing what he has been doing. When he is on, he is very tough to beat.”
EMU DUALS SLATED FOR SATURDAY: The Eagles will host the EMU Duals Saturday, Jan. 23, beginning at 1 p.m. Joining EMU at the competition will be Indianapolis University, Olivet College, and Thiel College. The trio of bouts will mark the final non-conference duals of the 2009-10 season for the Eagles.
EMU WRESTLING FAST FACT: Since the 1972-73 season, Eastern has had 34 NCAA Division I National Qualifiers, the most recent of which was John McClure in 2008-09.
BONUS WRESTLING ON EAGLE ALL-ACCESS: Due to the popularity of the Eagle All-Access coverage of the EMU vs. Clarion match, Jan. 15, a live feed will once again be provided for Thursday's match against MAC rival CMU exclusively on EMUEagles.com!
Subscription packages are available for $5.95 for a single-match and $9.95 for a monthly package. Both web casts will offer fans a high-quality viewing experience, as well as natural sound from the Convocation Center.
Click Here to Watch the CMU Match.
EAGLES AND CHIPS KICK-OFF MAC SEASON: The Eastern Michigan University wrestling team will take on its first of five Mid-American Conference foes Thursday, Jan. 21, when it hosts No. 7 ranked Central Michigan University at Bowen Field House. It will be the 70th meeting all-time between the in-state rivals, with the Chippewas holding a 59-9-1 series advantage including an 18-match winning streak over the Eagles.
LAST TIME OUT VS. CMU: Last season the Chippewas handed the Eagles a 27-6 setback, Jan. 22, 2009, in Mount Pleasant, Mich. J.J. Johnson (149 lbs.) and Nick Hendrick (165 lbs.) were the only Eagles to record victories in the contest. Johnson recorded a 4-3 decision over Ryan Cubberly, while Hendrick defeated Pete Puckett, 4-2.
SEARCHING FOR THE ANSWER: The Eagles are coming off a less-than-memorable weekend of action in which they went 1-3 including their second consecutive home loss to Clarion University, Jan. 15. The following day, Jan. 16, the Green and White dropped 2-of-3 at the Spartan Duals with losses to Rutgers University and Stanford University. EMU topped division II opponent the University of Findlay, 21-14.
When asked how his team will respond and focus on CMU, coach Derek DelPorto remarked “We change nothing. We keep training like we have been and challenge our team to be better mentally. We aren't getting beat because we are wrestling better wrestlers, but because we are being 'out-toughed'. That isn't something you practice, that is something you learn how to do on your own.”
WHO'S IT GONNA BE: In order to upset the eight-time defending conference champions and claim a MAC title of its own, the entire EMU squad, players and coaches alike, will need to step up and take responsibility for meeting and exceeding their individual expectations during the conference dual season.
“Every guy that steps on to the mat has to be at their best every match from here on out,” said coach Derek DelPorto. “The coaching staff has to be at its best to assure this team is headed in the right direction going into our MAC Schedule and the home stretch of this season.”
ALL CLAIR: Senior Sean Clair was named Mid-American Conference Wrestler of the Week for the period ending Jan. 17, 2010, the conference office announced Tuesday. This marks the fourth time in Clair's career that he has earned the weekly award, having also received the honor three times during the 2007-08 season. He is also the first EMU wrestler to earn the award this season.
Clair has been quietly racking up victories following a Dec. 3 setback to No. 1 ranked Franklin Gomez of Michigan State University. Since then, he has claimed six straight dual victories, the most impressive of which came at the Spartan Duals, Jan. 16, against No. 17 ranked Bill Ashnault from Rutgers University. Clair pinned Ashnualt at the 3:56 mark of the 133 lbs. bout to give EMU its only lead of the day against the Scarlet Knights, 6-3.
“Sean probably didn't know Ashnault was ranked,” said Head Coach Derek DelPorto. “He really doesn't care about that stuff. I think he is wrestling really well these past few weeks and hope he continues doing what he has been doing. When he is on, he is very tough to beat.”
EMU DUALS SLATED FOR SATURDAY: The Eagles will host the EMU Duals Saturday, Jan. 23, beginning at 1 p.m. Joining EMU at the competition will be Indianapolis University, Olivet College, and Thiel College. The trio of bouts will mark the final non-conference duals of the 2009-10 season for the Eagles.
EMU WRESTLING FAST FACT: Since the 1972-73 season, Eastern has had 34 NCAA Division I National Qualifiers, the most recent of which was John McClure in 2008-09.
BONUS WRESTLING ON EAGLE ALL-ACCESS: Due to the popularity of the Eagle All-Access coverage of the EMU vs. Clarion match, Jan. 15, a live feed will once again be provided for Thursday's match against MAC rival CMU exclusively on EMUEagles.com!
Subscription packages are available for $5.95 for a single-match and $9.95 for a monthly package. Both web casts will offer fans a high-quality viewing experience, as well as natural sound from the Convocation Center.
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