Eastern Michigan Athletics
Photo by: Sam Janicki
Wrestling Set To Begin 2015-16 Season
11/5/2015 11:32:00 AM | Wrestling
The Eagles enter the second year of the David Bolyard era
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) — The Eastern Michigan University wrestling team is poised to begin its 2015-16 campaign this Saturday, Nov. 7 with the 2015 EMU Duals/ Open. EMU enters the second year under the guidance of Head Coach David Bolyard in the 2015-16 season. The squad, which finished 8-12 last season, is looking to build upon a promising 2014-15 campaign.
The team sent two wrestlers to the NCAA Championships in 2015 and return one of those athletes as redshirt senior Anthony Abro (Canton, Mich.-Canton) is back for his final year with the Green and White. In total EMU gets back eight of its ten starters from last season's squad, along with 13 total letterwinners, some of whom have prior starting experience.
This season's schedule boasts five regular season home matches at the Convocation Center and Bowen Field House, along with EMU playing host to the Mid-American Conference Championships in March. The Eagles will hit the road nine times during the 2015-16 campaign.
The Green and White will square off against six teams who were ranked in the InterMat Division I poll. These teams include Missouri, who is ranked tenth overall, Ohio (16th), Northern Iowa (17th), Old Dominion (18th), Kent State (22nd) and Central Michigan (25th). EMU also matches up with three Big Ten Teams this season, with duals against Purdue, Michigan State and Indiana.
125 lbs.
Redshirt senior Vincent Pizzuto (North Jackson, Ohio-Jackson Milton), who was a previous NCAA qualifier at the 133 lb weight class, looks to wrestle down a weight in his final season for the Eagles. Pizzuto posted a 16-13 record, 6-2 in the MAC, in 2014-15 at the 133 weight class before falling to injury in the MAC Championships. The Jackson, Ohio native currently has 76 wins in his career, the most of any active wrestler for EMU. Providing depth at the class will be redshirt freshman Armando Torres (Lorain, Ohio-Elyria), who went 13-6 in his redshirt season.
133 lbs.
With Pizzuto wrestling at the 125 spot, the 133 spot now belongs to junior Shayne Wireman (Lansing, Mich.-Holt). The former 125 starter has wrestled at both spots in his career, going 11-3 in 2014-15. He picked up a second place finish for EMU at the 2014 Keystone Classic. The Lansing native has a stellar 30-7 career record for EMU.
141 lbs.
The 141 spot sees a bit of logjam for the Eagles in 2015-16. Redshirt senior Michael Shaw (Allegan, Mich.- Allegan) returns for his final season as the reigning starter from last season. Shaw recorded a 12-19 record in 2014-15, grabbing one win at the 2015 MAC Championships. Shaw will be pushed from behind by redshirt sophomore Kyle Springer (New Boston, Mich.-Davenport Assumption) who had an outstanding first year for EMU after transferring from Indiana. Springer went 31-14 in 2014-15, leading the entire roster in wins. He placed second in two tournaments, the Alma Open and the Purple Raider Open. Another name to watch is redshirt freshman Ben Griffin (Canton, Mich.-Canton), who went 6-6 in his redshirt season.
149 lbs.
Redshirt junior Nicholas Barber (Cleveland, Ohio-St. Edward) returns in 2015-16 to reclaim his starting role at 149. Barber enters his third season as a starter for EMU after moving to the 149 slot during his redshirt freshman season. He posted a 15-11 overall record in 2014-15 including a victory in the MAC Championships. The Cleveland, Ohio native has a 46-30 career record for EMU.
157 lbs.
At the 157 weight class EMU will have the tough task of replacing NCAA Qualifier Brandon Zeerip. Stepping up to that task will be former 165 starter redshirt junior Devan Marry (Hudson, Mich. / Hudson). Marry recorded ten wins at 165 for EMU in 2014-15 including one conference victory. He also placed sixth at the Keystone Classic with four victories.
165 lbs.
With Marry at the 157 slot, the 165 spot will fall in the hands of a couple EMU grapplers. First is redshirt freshman Dakota Juarez (Grand Haven, Mich.-Grand Haven), who is coming off an 8-5 redshirt season for EMU. He placed third at the EMU Open with four victories. Redshirt senior Derek Davison (LaSalle, Mich.-Monroe), who enters his final season in the Green and White after transferring from Wisconsin-Parkside, will also be in contention. Davison went 11-9 last season as an unattached wrestler, including a second place finish at the EMU Open.
174 lbs.
Returning for the Eagles in 2015-16 is redshirt junior Jacob Davis (North Ridgeville, Ohio-St. Edward), who wrestled unattached in 2014-15 as he worked his way back from injury. Last season he went an impressive 14-4 for EMU, and now has a 44-34 career record.
184 lbs.
At the 184 slot, EMU is tasked with replacing former starter Mike Curby who was lost to graduation. Getting the nod in 2015-16 season will be redshirt freshman Derek Hillman (Woodhaven, Mich.-Woodhaven-Brownstown). In his first season as an Eagle, Hillman posted a 9-6 record, finishing in second place at the Purple Raider Open, as well as sixth at the MSU Open.
197 lbs.
The most secure job for the Eagles in 2015-16 belongs to Abro. The reigning NCAA Qualifier had his best season last year, finishing with a 28-15 overall record. He earned the lone automatic bid for the Green and White after placing fifth at the MAC Championships. The Canton native made it to the Round of 16 at the NCAA's before bowing out. Abro comes into the season ranked as the 13th best 197 wrestler by InterMat and is ranked third in his weight class by the MAC. He is second in active career wins on the team with 71.
285 lbs.
The final weight class sees redshirt sophomore Gage Hutchison (Buchanan, Mich.-Buchanan) return to the lineup for his second year as the heavyweight starter. After battling for the spot last season, Hutchison finished the year with 14 wins including four in MAC competition. He comes into his third year in the program sporting a 29-24 record. Hutchison was ranked as the fourth best heavyweight wrestler in the preseason MAC Rankings.
To keep up to date on the 2015-16 season, be sure to follow the official Twitter account @EMUWrestling.
The 2015-16 EMU Wrestling season gets underway Saturday, Nov. 7 with the EMU Duals to be held at the Convocation Center. Eastern will have three duals throughout the day, beginning with Clarion at 9 a.m., followed by Bloomsburg at 10:30 a.m., and ending with Purdue at 1:30 p.m. The open portion of the meet will begin at 10 a.m. and will take place at the same time as the duals.
The team sent two wrestlers to the NCAA Championships in 2015 and return one of those athletes as redshirt senior Anthony Abro (Canton, Mich.-Canton) is back for his final year with the Green and White. In total EMU gets back eight of its ten starters from last season's squad, along with 13 total letterwinners, some of whom have prior starting experience.
This season's schedule boasts five regular season home matches at the Convocation Center and Bowen Field House, along with EMU playing host to the Mid-American Conference Championships in March. The Eagles will hit the road nine times during the 2015-16 campaign.
The Green and White will square off against six teams who were ranked in the InterMat Division I poll. These teams include Missouri, who is ranked tenth overall, Ohio (16th), Northern Iowa (17th), Old Dominion (18th), Kent State (22nd) and Central Michigan (25th). EMU also matches up with three Big Ten Teams this season, with duals against Purdue, Michigan State and Indiana.
125 lbs.
Redshirt senior Vincent Pizzuto (North Jackson, Ohio-Jackson Milton), who was a previous NCAA qualifier at the 133 lb weight class, looks to wrestle down a weight in his final season for the Eagles. Pizzuto posted a 16-13 record, 6-2 in the MAC, in 2014-15 at the 133 weight class before falling to injury in the MAC Championships. The Jackson, Ohio native currently has 76 wins in his career, the most of any active wrestler for EMU. Providing depth at the class will be redshirt freshman Armando Torres (Lorain, Ohio-Elyria), who went 13-6 in his redshirt season.
133 lbs.
With Pizzuto wrestling at the 125 spot, the 133 spot now belongs to junior Shayne Wireman (Lansing, Mich.-Holt). The former 125 starter has wrestled at both spots in his career, going 11-3 in 2014-15. He picked up a second place finish for EMU at the 2014 Keystone Classic. The Lansing native has a stellar 30-7 career record for EMU.
141 lbs.
The 141 spot sees a bit of logjam for the Eagles in 2015-16. Redshirt senior Michael Shaw (Allegan, Mich.- Allegan) returns for his final season as the reigning starter from last season. Shaw recorded a 12-19 record in 2014-15, grabbing one win at the 2015 MAC Championships. Shaw will be pushed from behind by redshirt sophomore Kyle Springer (New Boston, Mich.-Davenport Assumption) who had an outstanding first year for EMU after transferring from Indiana. Springer went 31-14 in 2014-15, leading the entire roster in wins. He placed second in two tournaments, the Alma Open and the Purple Raider Open. Another name to watch is redshirt freshman Ben Griffin (Canton, Mich.-Canton), who went 6-6 in his redshirt season.
149 lbs.
Redshirt junior Nicholas Barber (Cleveland, Ohio-St. Edward) returns in 2015-16 to reclaim his starting role at 149. Barber enters his third season as a starter for EMU after moving to the 149 slot during his redshirt freshman season. He posted a 15-11 overall record in 2014-15 including a victory in the MAC Championships. The Cleveland, Ohio native has a 46-30 career record for EMU.
157 lbs.
At the 157 weight class EMU will have the tough task of replacing NCAA Qualifier Brandon Zeerip. Stepping up to that task will be former 165 starter redshirt junior Devan Marry (Hudson, Mich. / Hudson). Marry recorded ten wins at 165 for EMU in 2014-15 including one conference victory. He also placed sixth at the Keystone Classic with four victories.
165 lbs.
With Marry at the 157 slot, the 165 spot will fall in the hands of a couple EMU grapplers. First is redshirt freshman Dakota Juarez (Grand Haven, Mich.-Grand Haven), who is coming off an 8-5 redshirt season for EMU. He placed third at the EMU Open with four victories. Redshirt senior Derek Davison (LaSalle, Mich.-Monroe), who enters his final season in the Green and White after transferring from Wisconsin-Parkside, will also be in contention. Davison went 11-9 last season as an unattached wrestler, including a second place finish at the EMU Open.
174 lbs.
Returning for the Eagles in 2015-16 is redshirt junior Jacob Davis (North Ridgeville, Ohio-St. Edward), who wrestled unattached in 2014-15 as he worked his way back from injury. Last season he went an impressive 14-4 for EMU, and now has a 44-34 career record.
184 lbs.
At the 184 slot, EMU is tasked with replacing former starter Mike Curby who was lost to graduation. Getting the nod in 2015-16 season will be redshirt freshman Derek Hillman (Woodhaven, Mich.-Woodhaven-Brownstown). In his first season as an Eagle, Hillman posted a 9-6 record, finishing in second place at the Purple Raider Open, as well as sixth at the MSU Open.
197 lbs.
The most secure job for the Eagles in 2015-16 belongs to Abro. The reigning NCAA Qualifier had his best season last year, finishing with a 28-15 overall record. He earned the lone automatic bid for the Green and White after placing fifth at the MAC Championships. The Canton native made it to the Round of 16 at the NCAA's before bowing out. Abro comes into the season ranked as the 13th best 197 wrestler by InterMat and is ranked third in his weight class by the MAC. He is second in active career wins on the team with 71.
285 lbs.
The final weight class sees redshirt sophomore Gage Hutchison (Buchanan, Mich.-Buchanan) return to the lineup for his second year as the heavyweight starter. After battling for the spot last season, Hutchison finished the year with 14 wins including four in MAC competition. He comes into his third year in the program sporting a 29-24 record. Hutchison was ranked as the fourth best heavyweight wrestler in the preseason MAC Rankings.
To keep up to date on the 2015-16 season, be sure to follow the official Twitter account @EMUWrestling.
The 2015-16 EMU Wrestling season gets underway Saturday, Nov. 7 with the EMU Duals to be held at the Convocation Center. Eastern will have three duals throughout the day, beginning with Clarion at 9 a.m., followed by Bloomsburg at 10:30 a.m., and ending with Purdue at 1:30 p.m. The open portion of the meet will begin at 10 a.m. and will take place at the same time as the duals.
Players Mentioned
197
/ Wrestling
149
/ Wrestling
184
/ Wrestling
174
/ Wrestling
165
/ Wrestling
141/149
/ Wrestling
184
/ Wrestling
285
/ Wrestling
165
/ Wrestling
157
/ Wrestling
125
/ Wrestling
141
/ Wrestling
141
/ Wrestling
125
/ Wrestling
133
/ Wrestling
157
/ WrestlingEastern Michigan - 2018 MAC Wrestling Championships Preview
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2018 MAC Wrestling Championships 165-lb Match:
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2018 MAC Wrestling Championships 197-lb Match:
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2018 MAC Wrestling Championships 285-lb Match:
Monday, June 04