Eastern Michigan Athletics
Thursday, February 13
Mount Pleasant, Mich.
7:30 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
at
Central Michigan
Photo by: Walt Middleton Photography
EMU Wrestling Set For Dual Against In-State Rival, Central Michigan
2/12/2014 1:17:00 PM | Wrestling
Eagle grapplers travel to Mt. Pleasant to take on the Chippewas, Thursday, Feb. 13 at 7:30 p.m.
EMU vs. Central Michigan Notes
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- The Eastern Michigan University grapplers will head to Mt. Pleasant, Mich. for a dual against Mid-American Conference in-state rival Central Michigan University, Thursday, Feb. 13. First dual from McGuirk Arena is slated for 7:30 p.m.
CHIP DIP: Central enters Thursday's match with an 8-7 overall mark and a 5-4 record in the Mid-American Conference. Most recently, the Chippewas fell to Old Dominion, 24-7, in a MAC road match, grabbing only two wins.
Five of CMU's 10 starters are ranked in Amateur Wrestling News (AWN), Intermat.com, and are in the top-four of the conference in their respective weight classes. Junior Mike Ottinger headlines the 174 lb. weight class, ranking eighth in both the AWN poll and Intermat.com, while being ranked second in the conference. Ottinger owns a 16-2 record and is one-of-two CMU grapplers with an unscathed MAC record. Zach Horan (141 lbs.) leads the Chippewas with his 20-win season, dropping only two matches and is 5-0 in league duals. Horan is ranked ninth in both AWN and Intermat.com and is ranked third in the MAC, while Joe Roth (133 lbs.) ranked 10th on AWN and is No. 12 on Intermat.com. Roth has 14 wins on the season for the Chippewas and is ranked No. 2 in the MAC.
Corey Keener currently ranks No. 12 on Inermat.com and No. 13 on AWN, posting a 4-1 record in conference bouts ranking him just behind Jared Germaine at 125 lbs. in the No. 4 spot. Although Nick Becker (165 lbs.) is not ranked amongst the nation's top wrestlers, the redshirt-freshman leads CMU in falls, tallying three pins this season, while Scott Mattingly (149 lbs.) and Adam Robinson (HWT) notched two apiece.
SERIES HISTORY: Eastern has struggled with Central Michigan in the past eight seasons going 0-8 since 2005-06. The Eagles are averaging a mere six points per bout against CMU, while the Chippewas are averaging 29 points per match versus EMU. Most recently, the Green and White fell to CMU, 31-6, Feb. 8, 2013. Redshirt-senior Nick Whitenburg secured the Eagles only victory of the match last year as he pinned Jackson Lewis in 1:26 at 197 lbs. EMU was unable to come up with any other bout victories as Central tallied two extra point matches and seven decisions on the afternoon.
Eastern will feature almost an entirely different lineup this time around against Central with only Whitenburg and Michael Shaw (149 lbs.) returning from last season's starting 10. Central returns five of its 10 starters from a season ago, but suffers the loss of three ranked grapplers from last year's dual.
PIZZUTO NAMED MAC WRESTLER OF THE WEEK: The Mid-American Conference announced Wednesday, Feb. 12, that redshirt-sophomore Vincent Pizzuto has been named MAC Wrestler of the Week for the period ending Sunday, Feb. 9. The accolade marks the first of Pizzuto's career and its the second individual conference honor given to the Eastern Michigan wrestling team this season as redshirt-senior Khodor Hoballah garnered the award Dec. 12, 2013
Pizzuto had a perfect 3-0 week on the mats and continues to remain unbeatable as he is currently riding a seven-match win streak. He first earned a forfeit against Cleveland State before the redshirt-sophomore helped put the Eagles up 6-0 against No. 9 Missouri as he earned an 8-3 decision over No. 20 Matt Manley at 133 lbs. Pizzuto went on to win one bout on Sunday, Feb. 9, when he grabbed his third major decision of the season over Southern Illinois-Edwardsville's John Petrov, 12-3. The North Jackson, Ohio native now boasts a 17-6 overall record on the season and is the only Eagle to remain undefeated in MAC competition as he is a perfect 5-0 on the year.
DYNAMIC DUO: Redshirt-senior Jared Germaine (125 lbs.) and redshirt-sophomore Vincent Pizzuto (133 lbs.) have proven to be threats on the mat this season as the duo has a combined 22-7 overall record and a 9-1 record in the MAC.
In his final season donning the Green and White, Germaine has an impressive 15-1 record and is currently on a six-match win streak as he has been unbeated since Jan. 17. The Saginaw, Mich. native has notched four extra point wins this year, including two pins, one of which was in the opening 45 seconds of the bout.
Pizzuto is the only Eagle that has been unbeaten in confernce competition as he is 5-0 with one pin and four decisions. The North Jackson, Ohio native has a team-best seven-match win streak and has not dropped a bout since exactly one month ago, Jan. 12, when he fell to North Carolina's Troy Heilmann. The redshirt-sophomore has secured five extra point wins for Eastern this season with one pin, one technical fall and three major decisions.
DELPORTO BECOMES WINNINGEST COACH IN EMU WRESTLING HISTORY: Head Coach Derek DelPorto became the winningest coach in EMU wrestling history, Wednesday, Feb. 5, as the Eastern Michigan grapplers took down Cleveland State, 29-12, at Woodling Arena.
DelPorto now holds an 83-74-2 all-time record in his eight seasons at Eastern Michigan, which broke John Eisley's record of 80-74-4 over a 12 year span at EMU.
SIX SENIORS TO BE HONORED AGAINST BUFFALO: Six redshirt-seniors will be recognized, Sunday, Feb. 16 when the Eagles take on Buffalo in their final home dual of the 2013-14 season.
Jared Germaine (125 lbs.) boasts a 90-40 record in his five years at Eastern Michigan and is just 10 wins shy of 100 career wins. The Saginaw, Mich. native has had an outstanding senior season for the Eagles as he is 15-1 overall and 4-1 in the MAC. Germaine is currently riding a six-match win streak heading into the final two bouts of the 2013-14 regular season.
Khodor Hoballah (HWT) moved up two weight classes in his senior campaign and headlines the heavweight division in his final year as an Eagle. Hoballah holds a 48-53 career record and is 10-9 to this point in his final season wearing the Green and White.
Phillip Joseph (184 lbs.) looks to make his third NCAA appearnace this season after posting a 79-48 career record heading into Thursday's dual. The Lapeer, Mich. native is 18-6 overall and 4-1 in conference bouts in his final season with the Eagles. Joseph also placed third at the MSU Open to kick off the 2013-14 season.
Mike LeHolm (141 lbs.) had a strong showing at the Cleveland State Open. placing fifth with four wins including one major decision. The Jackson, Mich. native holds a 40-45 overall record in his career at Eastern Michigan.
Seth Schaner (141 lbs.) saw success at the Edinboro Open as he picked up two wins for EMU. The Big Rapids, Mich. native holds a 38-56 career record at EMU.
Nick Whitenburg has battled injuries over his career at Eastern, but looks to make an appearance in his second NCAA Tournament this season. The Temperance, Mich. native boasts a 77-42 career record while at EMU. Headlining the 197 lb. weight class, Whitenburg posts a 9-7 overall record this year and has picked up two pins on the season.
COVERAGE OF CENTRAL MICHIGAN DUAL: Fans can follow the team on EMUEagles.com and Twitter (@EMUWrestling). Fans can join in on the conversation by using #FlyingHigher.
UP NEXT ON THE MAT?: Eastern returns to the friendly confines of the Convocation Center, Sunday, Feb. 16 when it plays host to the University at Buffalo in Mid-American Conference competition. The dual will be the Green and White's final regular season dual and will also recognize six senior grapplers before the first bout. First match is slated for 1 p.m.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- The Eastern Michigan University grapplers will head to Mt. Pleasant, Mich. for a dual against Mid-American Conference in-state rival Central Michigan University, Thursday, Feb. 13. First dual from McGuirk Arena is slated for 7:30 p.m.
CHIP DIP: Central enters Thursday's match with an 8-7 overall mark and a 5-4 record in the Mid-American Conference. Most recently, the Chippewas fell to Old Dominion, 24-7, in a MAC road match, grabbing only two wins.
Five of CMU's 10 starters are ranked in Amateur Wrestling News (AWN), Intermat.com, and are in the top-four of the conference in their respective weight classes. Junior Mike Ottinger headlines the 174 lb. weight class, ranking eighth in both the AWN poll and Intermat.com, while being ranked second in the conference. Ottinger owns a 16-2 record and is one-of-two CMU grapplers with an unscathed MAC record. Zach Horan (141 lbs.) leads the Chippewas with his 20-win season, dropping only two matches and is 5-0 in league duals. Horan is ranked ninth in both AWN and Intermat.com and is ranked third in the MAC, while Joe Roth (133 lbs.) ranked 10th on AWN and is No. 12 on Intermat.com. Roth has 14 wins on the season for the Chippewas and is ranked No. 2 in the MAC.
Corey Keener currently ranks No. 12 on Inermat.com and No. 13 on AWN, posting a 4-1 record in conference bouts ranking him just behind Jared Germaine at 125 lbs. in the No. 4 spot. Although Nick Becker (165 lbs.) is not ranked amongst the nation's top wrestlers, the redshirt-freshman leads CMU in falls, tallying three pins this season, while Scott Mattingly (149 lbs.) and Adam Robinson (HWT) notched two apiece.
SERIES HISTORY: Eastern has struggled with Central Michigan in the past eight seasons going 0-8 since 2005-06. The Eagles are averaging a mere six points per bout against CMU, while the Chippewas are averaging 29 points per match versus EMU. Most recently, the Green and White fell to CMU, 31-6, Feb. 8, 2013. Redshirt-senior Nick Whitenburg secured the Eagles only victory of the match last year as he pinned Jackson Lewis in 1:26 at 197 lbs. EMU was unable to come up with any other bout victories as Central tallied two extra point matches and seven decisions on the afternoon.
Eastern will feature almost an entirely different lineup this time around against Central with only Whitenburg and Michael Shaw (149 lbs.) returning from last season's starting 10. Central returns five of its 10 starters from a season ago, but suffers the loss of three ranked grapplers from last year's dual.
PIZZUTO NAMED MAC WRESTLER OF THE WEEK: The Mid-American Conference announced Wednesday, Feb. 12, that redshirt-sophomore Vincent Pizzuto has been named MAC Wrestler of the Week for the period ending Sunday, Feb. 9. The accolade marks the first of Pizzuto's career and its the second individual conference honor given to the Eastern Michigan wrestling team this season as redshirt-senior Khodor Hoballah garnered the award Dec. 12, 2013
Pizzuto had a perfect 3-0 week on the mats and continues to remain unbeatable as he is currently riding a seven-match win streak. He first earned a forfeit against Cleveland State before the redshirt-sophomore helped put the Eagles up 6-0 against No. 9 Missouri as he earned an 8-3 decision over No. 20 Matt Manley at 133 lbs. Pizzuto went on to win one bout on Sunday, Feb. 9, when he grabbed his third major decision of the season over Southern Illinois-Edwardsville's John Petrov, 12-3. The North Jackson, Ohio native now boasts a 17-6 overall record on the season and is the only Eagle to remain undefeated in MAC competition as he is a perfect 5-0 on the year.
DYNAMIC DUO: Redshirt-senior Jared Germaine (125 lbs.) and redshirt-sophomore Vincent Pizzuto (133 lbs.) have proven to be threats on the mat this season as the duo has a combined 22-7 overall record and a 9-1 record in the MAC.
In his final season donning the Green and White, Germaine has an impressive 15-1 record and is currently on a six-match win streak as he has been unbeated since Jan. 17. The Saginaw, Mich. native has notched four extra point wins this year, including two pins, one of which was in the opening 45 seconds of the bout.
Pizzuto is the only Eagle that has been unbeaten in confernce competition as he is 5-0 with one pin and four decisions. The North Jackson, Ohio native has a team-best seven-match win streak and has not dropped a bout since exactly one month ago, Jan. 12, when he fell to North Carolina's Troy Heilmann. The redshirt-sophomore has secured five extra point wins for Eastern this season with one pin, one technical fall and three major decisions.
DELPORTO BECOMES WINNINGEST COACH IN EMU WRESTLING HISTORY: Head Coach Derek DelPorto became the winningest coach in EMU wrestling history, Wednesday, Feb. 5, as the Eastern Michigan grapplers took down Cleveland State, 29-12, at Woodling Arena.
DelPorto now holds an 83-74-2 all-time record in his eight seasons at Eastern Michigan, which broke John Eisley's record of 80-74-4 over a 12 year span at EMU.
SIX SENIORS TO BE HONORED AGAINST BUFFALO: Six redshirt-seniors will be recognized, Sunday, Feb. 16 when the Eagles take on Buffalo in their final home dual of the 2013-14 season.
Jared Germaine (125 lbs.) boasts a 90-40 record in his five years at Eastern Michigan and is just 10 wins shy of 100 career wins. The Saginaw, Mich. native has had an outstanding senior season for the Eagles as he is 15-1 overall and 4-1 in the MAC. Germaine is currently riding a six-match win streak heading into the final two bouts of the 2013-14 regular season.
Khodor Hoballah (HWT) moved up two weight classes in his senior campaign and headlines the heavweight division in his final year as an Eagle. Hoballah holds a 48-53 career record and is 10-9 to this point in his final season wearing the Green and White.
Phillip Joseph (184 lbs.) looks to make his third NCAA appearnace this season after posting a 79-48 career record heading into Thursday's dual. The Lapeer, Mich. native is 18-6 overall and 4-1 in conference bouts in his final season with the Eagles. Joseph also placed third at the MSU Open to kick off the 2013-14 season.
Mike LeHolm (141 lbs.) had a strong showing at the Cleveland State Open. placing fifth with four wins including one major decision. The Jackson, Mich. native holds a 40-45 overall record in his career at Eastern Michigan.
Seth Schaner (141 lbs.) saw success at the Edinboro Open as he picked up two wins for EMU. The Big Rapids, Mich. native holds a 38-56 career record at EMU.
Nick Whitenburg has battled injuries over his career at Eastern, but looks to make an appearance in his second NCAA Tournament this season. The Temperance, Mich. native boasts a 77-42 career record while at EMU. Headlining the 197 lb. weight class, Whitenburg posts a 9-7 overall record this year and has picked up two pins on the season.
COVERAGE OF CENTRAL MICHIGAN DUAL: Fans can follow the team on EMUEagles.com and Twitter (@EMUWrestling). Fans can join in on the conversation by using #FlyingHigher.
UP NEXT ON THE MAT?: Eastern returns to the friendly confines of the Convocation Center, Sunday, Feb. 16 when it plays host to the University at Buffalo in Mid-American Conference competition. The dual will be the Green and White's final regular season dual and will also recognize six senior grapplers before the first bout. First match is slated for 1 p.m.
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