Eastern Michigan Athletics
Saturday, November 12
East Lansing, Mich.
All Day
Eastern Michigan University
at
Michigan State Open
Wrestling Gears Up for MSU Open Saturday, Nov. 12
11/9/2011 3:36:00 PM | Wrestling
Open will be first of two straight events in East Lansing
Complete Release (.pdf)
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com)– The Eastern Michigan University wrestling team will compete in back-to-back events in East Lansing, Mich. beginning with the Michigan State Open Saturday, Nov. 12. The Eagles look to build off a solid showing at the 20th-annual EMU Open, where 10 grapplers placed sixth or better.
MICHIGAN STATEMENT: Several EMU wrestlers posted successful performances at last year's MSU Open including Mike LeHolm, who took fourth place at 141 lbs. and Filiberto Colon, who also placed fourth at 133 lbs.
The Green and White will then compete in its first dual event of the 2011-12 season Friday, Nov. 18, on the road against the Spartans.
SEASON BEGINS AT BOWEN FIELD HOUSE: EMU kicked-off the 57th season in its history Saturday, Nov. 5, with the 20th annual EMU Open inside Bowen Field House. Ten Eagle grapplers wrestled to top-six finishes including redshirt senior Lester France and freshman Vincent Pizzuto, who each battled to first place finishes.
France earned the top spot at 165 lbs. of the open division with a perfect 5-0 showing which included a major decision and four decisions. In the championship match, France held off Kyle Mosier of Purdue University, 6-4.
“Lester did a great job,” remarked Head Coach Derek DelPorto. “I hope he can keep his confidence level up. If he does, he will win a lot!”
Pizzuto made the most of his collegiate wrestling debut, storming through the 125 lbs. weight class of the freshman and sophomore division with a major decision and four decisions en route to a first place finish. A hard-fought 6-5 win in the final match sealed a perfect day for the true freshman out of North Jackson, Ohio.
A pair of Eagles, redshirt sophomore Jared Germaine and redshirt junior Aaron Sulzer, captured runner-up honors Saturday. In his first matches as an Eagle, freshman Anthony Abro earned a 4-1 record on his way to a third place finish at 197 lbs. of the freshman and sophomore division.
Also placing in Saturday's season-opening event were redshirt seniors Andrew Novak (fifth at 133 lbs. of the open division) and Corey Phillips (fifth at 141 lbs. of the open division), redshirt sophomore Phillip Joseph (fourth at 147 lbs. of the open division), redshirt freshman Jake Byers (fifth at 133 lbs. of the freshman and sophomore division) and redshirt senior Wes Schroeder (sixth at heavyweight of the open division).
EMU OPEN BY THE NUMBERS: Eastern Michigan finished the EMU Open with a combined record of 59-46 (.562). Twenty-five of the 32 wrestlers on the roster competed in at least two matches, and 11 of those 25 posted winning records.
FOUR EAGLES RANKED IN MAC PRESEASON POLL: Head Coach Derek DelPorto's squad features four preseason-ranked grapplers. Redshirt senior Andrew Novak was tabbed second at 133 lbs. At 157 lbs., redshirt senior Aaron Sulzer was ranked tied for second with Donnie Corby of CMU. Redshirt junior Chris Eggert received a nod for second place at 165 lbs. and redshirt sophomore Nick Whitenburg was tied for second with Chad Friend of CMU at 197 lbs.
As a team, EMU was picked to finish fourth in the MAC preseason coaches poll. EMU received 13 points in the team poll, which is 16 behind favorite Kent State University. In second with 18 points is 10-time defending MAC champion Central Michigan University.
DIG DEEP: The 2011-12 version of the Eagles features a deep roster unlike any the team has had for quite some time. Most notably is the return of Phillip Joseph, who missed the entire 2010-11 season due to injury. Joseph stormed onto the collegiate wrestling scene during his freshman year, winning 22 matches at 184 lbs.
EMU also returns Aaron Sulzer, who placed a team-best third at last season's MAC Championships at 157 lbs. Sulzer defeated No. 2-ranked Matt Cathell of Kent State and No. 4-ranked Ryan Cubberly of Central Michigan in the third place bout.
FRESH OUT THE BOX: Joining the EMU wrestling program this year will be Chris Rau (141 lbs.), Cole Dillman (heavyweight), Vincent Pizzuto (125 lbs.), Mike Haumesser (165 lbs.), Anthony Abro (197 lbs.), Justin Melick (149 lbs.), Aaron Risch (165 lbs.) and Michael Shaw (133 lbs.).
“We have a great incoming class that has tons of potential”, said DelPorto. “They help us with some depth issues and strengthen our room tremendously.”
WELCOME ABOARD: Coach Derek DelPorto also made an addition to his staff during the offseason, bringing in four-time national qualifier Luke Smith to coach the lighter weight classes.
“Luke is a great addition to this program”, said DelPorto. “He is exactly what we needed to have a complete staff that now covers the lightweights, middleweights and upper-weights.”
2011-12 HOME SCHEDULE: If you missed all the excitement of the EMU Open, you are in luck! The Eagles will host a total of five more events at Bowen Field House this season including four Mid-American Conference duals.
EMU continues its home slate, Dec. 4, with a 2 p.m. matchup against Ohio. Central Michigan then invades Bowen, Jan. 15, as the Eagles try to take down the defending MAC champions. Action is set to begin at 7 p.m.
Two days later, Jan. 15, the Eagles will host Clarion, Indiana Tech and Indianapolis in the EMU Duals beginning at 11 a.m. Rounding out the schedule will be Northern Illinois University, Jan. 22, and the University at Buffalo, Feb. 8.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com)– The Eastern Michigan University wrestling team will compete in back-to-back events in East Lansing, Mich. beginning with the Michigan State Open Saturday, Nov. 12. The Eagles look to build off a solid showing at the 20th-annual EMU Open, where 10 grapplers placed sixth or better.
MICHIGAN STATEMENT: Several EMU wrestlers posted successful performances at last year's MSU Open including Mike LeHolm, who took fourth place at 141 lbs. and Filiberto Colon, who also placed fourth at 133 lbs.
The Green and White will then compete in its first dual event of the 2011-12 season Friday, Nov. 18, on the road against the Spartans.
SEASON BEGINS AT BOWEN FIELD HOUSE: EMU kicked-off the 57th season in its history Saturday, Nov. 5, with the 20th annual EMU Open inside Bowen Field House. Ten Eagle grapplers wrestled to top-six finishes including redshirt senior Lester France and freshman Vincent Pizzuto, who each battled to first place finishes.
France earned the top spot at 165 lbs. of the open division with a perfect 5-0 showing which included a major decision and four decisions. In the championship match, France held off Kyle Mosier of Purdue University, 6-4.
“Lester did a great job,” remarked Head Coach Derek DelPorto. “I hope he can keep his confidence level up. If he does, he will win a lot!”
Pizzuto made the most of his collegiate wrestling debut, storming through the 125 lbs. weight class of the freshman and sophomore division with a major decision and four decisions en route to a first place finish. A hard-fought 6-5 win in the final match sealed a perfect day for the true freshman out of North Jackson, Ohio.
A pair of Eagles, redshirt sophomore Jared Germaine and redshirt junior Aaron Sulzer, captured runner-up honors Saturday. In his first matches as an Eagle, freshman Anthony Abro earned a 4-1 record on his way to a third place finish at 197 lbs. of the freshman and sophomore division.
Also placing in Saturday's season-opening event were redshirt seniors Andrew Novak (fifth at 133 lbs. of the open division) and Corey Phillips (fifth at 141 lbs. of the open division), redshirt sophomore Phillip Joseph (fourth at 147 lbs. of the open division), redshirt freshman Jake Byers (fifth at 133 lbs. of the freshman and sophomore division) and redshirt senior Wes Schroeder (sixth at heavyweight of the open division).
EMU OPEN BY THE NUMBERS: Eastern Michigan finished the EMU Open with a combined record of 59-46 (.562). Twenty-five of the 32 wrestlers on the roster competed in at least two matches, and 11 of those 25 posted winning records.
FOUR EAGLES RANKED IN MAC PRESEASON POLL: Head Coach Derek DelPorto's squad features four preseason-ranked grapplers. Redshirt senior Andrew Novak was tabbed second at 133 lbs. At 157 lbs., redshirt senior Aaron Sulzer was ranked tied for second with Donnie Corby of CMU. Redshirt junior Chris Eggert received a nod for second place at 165 lbs. and redshirt sophomore Nick Whitenburg was tied for second with Chad Friend of CMU at 197 lbs.
As a team, EMU was picked to finish fourth in the MAC preseason coaches poll. EMU received 13 points in the team poll, which is 16 behind favorite Kent State University. In second with 18 points is 10-time defending MAC champion Central Michigan University.
DIG DEEP: The 2011-12 version of the Eagles features a deep roster unlike any the team has had for quite some time. Most notably is the return of Phillip Joseph, who missed the entire 2010-11 season due to injury. Joseph stormed onto the collegiate wrestling scene during his freshman year, winning 22 matches at 184 lbs.
EMU also returns Aaron Sulzer, who placed a team-best third at last season's MAC Championships at 157 lbs. Sulzer defeated No. 2-ranked Matt Cathell of Kent State and No. 4-ranked Ryan Cubberly of Central Michigan in the third place bout.
FRESH OUT THE BOX: Joining the EMU wrestling program this year will be Chris Rau (141 lbs.), Cole Dillman (heavyweight), Vincent Pizzuto (125 lbs.), Mike Haumesser (165 lbs.), Anthony Abro (197 lbs.), Justin Melick (149 lbs.), Aaron Risch (165 lbs.) and Michael Shaw (133 lbs.).
“We have a great incoming class that has tons of potential”, said DelPorto. “They help us with some depth issues and strengthen our room tremendously.”
WELCOME ABOARD: Coach Derek DelPorto also made an addition to his staff during the offseason, bringing in four-time national qualifier Luke Smith to coach the lighter weight classes.
“Luke is a great addition to this program”, said DelPorto. “He is exactly what we needed to have a complete staff that now covers the lightweights, middleweights and upper-weights.”
2011-12 HOME SCHEDULE: If you missed all the excitement of the EMU Open, you are in luck! The Eagles will host a total of five more events at Bowen Field House this season including four Mid-American Conference duals.
EMU continues its home slate, Dec. 4, with a 2 p.m. matchup against Ohio. Central Michigan then invades Bowen, Jan. 15, as the Eagles try to take down the defending MAC champions. Action is set to begin at 7 p.m.
Two days later, Jan. 15, the Eagles will host Clarion, Indiana Tech and Indianapolis in the EMU Duals beginning at 11 a.m. Rounding out the schedule will be Northern Illinois University, Jan. 22, and the University at Buffalo, Feb. 8.
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