Eastern Michigan Athletics
Sunday, February 16
Convocation Center
1 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
vs
Buffalo
Six Senior Wrestlers to be Honored in Final Regular Season Dual
2/15/2014 11:30:00 AM | Wrestling
Eagles take on Buffalo in final regular season dual in the Convocation Center at 1 p.m.
EMU vs. Buffalo Notes
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- Coming off a huge conference road victory over Central Michigan, the Eastern Michigan University wrestling team will return to Ypsilanti for one final regular season dual when it takes on the University at Buffalo. The dual will be the Green and White's final regular season dual and will also recognize six senior grapplers before the first bout. The first match is slated for 1 p.m. The six seniors on Head Coach Derek DelPorto's squad will be recognized before the dual at 12:45 p.m.
SCOUTING THE BULLS: Buffalo has struggled this season getting on the right side of the score, sporting a 3-14 overall record and an 0-6 conference record heading into the final regular season dual.
Tony Lock (184 lbs.) leads all Bull grapplers, accumlating a team-high 17 wins on the season and ties for a team-high with three MAC dual victories, while Angelo Malvestuto headlines the 197 lb. weight class, grabbing 16 overall wins and three conference victories. Nick Flannery posts 15 wins this year at 141 lbs., while the 125 lb. weight class will see a start from either Mike or Max Soria. The brothers have combined for 25 bout victories and two conference wins for Buffalo at 125 lbs. this year.
Max leads the team with 58 career victories donning the Blue and White, while Flannery has defeated two nationally-ranked wrestlers in his last five matches.
SERIES HISTORY: Over the past eight seasons, EMU posts a 3-5 record against Buffalo. Most recently, the Bulls defeated Eastern, 19-14, in its lone conference victory of the 2012-13 season, Jan 18, 2013. The Green and White last took down UB in the 2011-12 season when EMU earned a decisive 31-7 victory, Feb. 8, 2012 at Bowen Field House.
The Eagles will return five starters from last season's duals, while Buffalo will return four of its 10 starters from a year ago. Redshirt-senior Phillip Joseph and Nick Whitenburg look to get their second-straight victory agaisnt Buffalo, both grabbing major decisions in last seasons matchup.
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 17-7 overall record on the season and is 5-1 in MAC competition.
MAC PARTNERS WITH FLOWRESTLING TO STREAM CHAMPIONSHIPS: The Mid-American Conference announced Monday, Feb. 10 that the 2014 MAC Wrestling Championships on Saturday, March 8 and Sunday, March 9 will be streamed live by Flowrestling. The 2014 MAC Wrestling Championships will be hosted by Kent State University. Flowrestling (www.flowrestling.org) provides the largest wrestling premium video library available on demand, as well as live wrestling events, and original wrestling productions. The fee for viewing the 2014 MAC Wrestling Championships will be $20 and provides the viewer with access to the website for an entire month.
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 23-8 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 seven-match win streak as he has been unbeaten 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 boasts a 17-7 overall record and a 5-1 record in the MAC, falling in his first dual since Jan. 12 in a 6-2 decision to No. 10 Joe Roth of Central Michigan. The North Jackson, Ohio native held a team-best seven-match win streak before suffering the loss, while taking down three ranked opponents on the season.
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 91-40 record in his five years at Eastern Michigan and is just nine wins shy of 100 career wins. The Saginaw, Mich. native has had an outstanding senior season for the Eagles as he is 16-1 overall and 5-1 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 49-53 career record and is 11-9 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 80-48 career record heading into Thursday's dual. The Lapeer, Mich. native is 19-6 overall and 5-1 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 SENIOR NIGHT AGAINST BUFFALO: Eastern Michigan's dual against Buffalo Sunday, Feb. 16 will be live streamed on Eastern Michigan's Eagle All-Access. Subscriptions for Eagle All-Access start at just $6.95. Former EMU standout Drew Lesko will be broadcasting the dual from the Convocation Center starting at 1 p.m.
Fans are also encouraged to follow @EMUWrestling on Twitter for live updates and can join in on coversation using
#FlyingHigher.
UP NEXT ON THE MAT?: After completing its regular season slate, EMU wrestling will head to Kent, Ohio, Saturday, Mar. 8 through Sunday, Mar. 9 for the MAC Championships.
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) -- Coming off a huge conference road victory over Central Michigan, the Eastern Michigan University wrestling team will return to Ypsilanti for one final regular season dual when it takes on the University at Buffalo. The dual will be the Green and White's final regular season dual and will also recognize six senior grapplers before the first bout. The first match is slated for 1 p.m. The six seniors on Head Coach Derek DelPorto's squad will be recognized before the dual at 12:45 p.m.
SCOUTING THE BULLS: Buffalo has struggled this season getting on the right side of the score, sporting a 3-14 overall record and an 0-6 conference record heading into the final regular season dual.
Tony Lock (184 lbs.) leads all Bull grapplers, accumlating a team-high 17 wins on the season and ties for a team-high with three MAC dual victories, while Angelo Malvestuto headlines the 197 lb. weight class, grabbing 16 overall wins and three conference victories. Nick Flannery posts 15 wins this year at 141 lbs., while the 125 lb. weight class will see a start from either Mike or Max Soria. The brothers have combined for 25 bout victories and two conference wins for Buffalo at 125 lbs. this year.
Max leads the team with 58 career victories donning the Blue and White, while Flannery has defeated two nationally-ranked wrestlers in his last five matches.
SERIES HISTORY: Over the past eight seasons, EMU posts a 3-5 record against Buffalo. Most recently, the Bulls defeated Eastern, 19-14, in its lone conference victory of the 2012-13 season, Jan 18, 2013. The Green and White last took down UB in the 2011-12 season when EMU earned a decisive 31-7 victory, Feb. 8, 2012 at Bowen Field House.
The Eagles will return five starters from last season's duals, while Buffalo will return four of its 10 starters from a year ago. Redshirt-senior Phillip Joseph and Nick Whitenburg look to get their second-straight victory agaisnt Buffalo, both grabbing major decisions in last seasons matchup.
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 17-7 overall record on the season and is 5-1 in MAC competition.
MAC PARTNERS WITH FLOWRESTLING TO STREAM CHAMPIONSHIPS: The Mid-American Conference announced Monday, Feb. 10 that the 2014 MAC Wrestling Championships on Saturday, March 8 and Sunday, March 9 will be streamed live by Flowrestling. The 2014 MAC Wrestling Championships will be hosted by Kent State University. Flowrestling (www.flowrestling.org) provides the largest wrestling premium video library available on demand, as well as live wrestling events, and original wrestling productions. The fee for viewing the 2014 MAC Wrestling Championships will be $20 and provides the viewer with access to the website for an entire month.
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 23-8 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 seven-match win streak as he has been unbeaten 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 boasts a 17-7 overall record and a 5-1 record in the MAC, falling in his first dual since Jan. 12 in a 6-2 decision to No. 10 Joe Roth of Central Michigan. The North Jackson, Ohio native held a team-best seven-match win streak before suffering the loss, while taking down three ranked opponents on the season.
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 91-40 record in his five years at Eastern Michigan and is just nine wins shy of 100 career wins. The Saginaw, Mich. native has had an outstanding senior season for the Eagles as he is 16-1 overall and 5-1 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 49-53 career record and is 11-9 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 80-48 career record heading into Thursday's dual. The Lapeer, Mich. native is 19-6 overall and 5-1 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 SENIOR NIGHT AGAINST BUFFALO: Eastern Michigan's dual against Buffalo Sunday, Feb. 16 will be live streamed on Eastern Michigan's Eagle All-Access. Subscriptions for Eagle All-Access start at just $6.95. Former EMU standout Drew Lesko will be broadcasting the dual from the Convocation Center starting at 1 p.m.
Fans are also encouraged to follow @EMUWrestling on Twitter for live updates and can join in on coversation using
#FlyingHigher.
UP NEXT ON THE MAT?: After completing its regular season slate, EMU wrestling will head to Kent, Ohio, Saturday, Mar. 8 through Sunday, Mar. 9 for the MAC Championships.
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