Eastern Michigan Athletics
Friday, February 20
Convocation Center
7 p.m.
Eastern Michigan University
vs
Central Michigan
Wrestling Closes Out Regular Season with Senior Day Dual Against CMU
2/19/2015 11:05:00 AM | Wrestling
The Eagles will grapple with the Chippewas Friday, Feb. 20 at 7 p.m. inside the Convocation Center
Complete Notes
The Eastern Michigan University wrestling team closes out the 2014-15 regular season Friday, Feb. 20, when it takes on Central Michigan University in a Senior Night affair at the Convocation Center. The Green and White will honor four Eagle seniors prior to the dual with CMU, which is slated to start at 7 p.m.
For fans who are unable to make it out to the dual against CMU, the match will be broadcast on Eastern's live webstreaming service Eagle All-Access. Fans will be able to watch the dual as well as get play-by-play from former EMU wrestlers J.J. Johnson and Drew Lesko. Subscriptions for Eagle All-Access start at just $6.95 and can be purchased at EMUEagles.com/watch.
SENIOR SNAP SHOTS: Friday night's dual will serve as the final regular season match for three senior grapplers. Below is snap shot of each of their careers as an Eagle.
-- Jake Byers: The Cedar Springs, Mich. native has grappled in 92 bouts for the Green and White since his arrival in Ypsilanti. This season, Byers holds a 2-8 overall record with one pin and one decision in the 141 lb. weight class. The redshirt-senior's best season came in the 2012-13 campaign when he posted a 16-13 overall record and a 1-1 mark in conference action.
--- Mike Curby: The Osseo, Mich. native appeared in 108 bouts for Eastern Michigan in his five-year career. This season, Curby earned a starting roll in the EMU lineup, highlighting the 184 lb. weight class. Most recently, the 184 lb. grappler picked up a major decision over Jon Goerke of Missouri for his first conference win of the 2014-15 campaign.
---Brandon Zeerip: The Fremont, Mich. native has had an impressive career at Eastern Michigan in two short years after transferring from the University of Michigan. The 157 lb. grappler immediately earned a starting spot in the lineup and has surpassed the 20-win plateau in both seasons as an Eagle. Last season, Zeerip earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Championships after placing sixth at the MAC Championships and posting a 20-14 overall record. This year, Zeerip is on pace to make his second-straight NCAA appearance with a 22-10 overall record and a 5-2 mark in conference action.
-- Collin Zeerip: The Fremont, Mich. native picked up one win as an Eagle before seeing his year come to a close due to a season-ending injury. Zeerip was a four-year letterwinner at the University of MIchigan where he placed eighth in the Big Ten Championships at 174 lbs. and earned the Most Falls Award in 2011.
SCOUTING CENTRAL: The Chippewas come into the Friday night dual with a 7-6 overall record and a 5-2 mark in Mid-American Conference actions, falling to Missouri and Old Dominion in conference action. CMU tallied just nine points in its most recent dual against the Monarchs of Old Dominions following a 19-13 victory over Kent State, Feb. 1.
Central is led by Zach Horan, who is currently ranked as the No. 1 wrestler in the MAC at 141. lbs. Horan is also ranked in the Intermat.com poll as the No. 11 wrestler in his weight class, carrying a 14-4 overall record and a clean 6-0 mark in MAC duals.
Along with Horan, Colin Heffernan comes in at No. 15 on the Intermat.com rankings and as the No. 3 grappler in the MAC at 149 lbs. The redshirt-freshman will meet up with former teammate Nicholas Barber in the weight class Friday night as the St. Edward graduate has notched an 18-8 overal record and a 4-1 record in conference duals.
SERIES HISTORY WITH THE CHIPS: Eastern Michigan has struggled with Central Michigan in the past nine seasons, going 1-8 since the 2005-06 season. The Eagles are averaging a mere 7.5 points per dual in the past nine seasons, while CMU averages 24.4 points per dual. Despite EMU's past struggles, the Green and White used a pin in the final bout of the night last season to take the 18-16 win over the Chippewas. Then-redshirt-senior Khodor Hoballah pinned CMU's Adam Robinson in 6:28 to allow the Eagles to take the win and tally former Head Coach Derek DelPorto's first ever win over Central Michigan.
The Eagles return five starters from last season's dual, including Anthony Abro and Brandon Zeerip, who each earned victories. The Chips return six starters from a season ago.
FEELS LIKE HOME AGAINST CMU: The Eastern Michigan wrestling coaching staff feels at home when grappling with the Chippewas since all three EMU coaches were once Chips. Head Coach David Bolyard graduated from Central Michigan in 2005 as one of the most decorated wrestlers in CMU history. As a Chippewa, Bolyard joined the CMU 100 Win Club and earned a spot in CMU laurels by recording the 10th most wins in Central Michigan history. Bolyard also set a then-record of 21 straight wins during his senior campaign. He was a four-time NCAA qualifier, while earning All-American status in 2004.
The two-time NWCA Academic All-American won an individual MAC Championship in 2005, while also being named CMU's Chick Sherwood Most Outstanding Wrestler.
Following Bolyard's graduation, Luke Smith joined the CMU wrestling team earning a host of accolades in his four year career. He was ranked as high as fourth in the country at 125 pounds. During his senior season, his team reached their highest ranking in program history when they ended the 2007-08 dual season at No. 2. He was the Mid-American Conference Freshman of the Year for the 2004-05 season.
Eastern's newest staff member, Scott Mattingly, spent the last five years as a student-athlete on the CMU wrestling squad, where he headlined the 149 lb. weight class in his senior season. The Uniontown, Ohio native was a four-time Mid-American Conference Tournament placer, including a runner-up finish in 2011. As a sophomore, Mattingly qualified for the NCAA Championships after grabbing a third-place finish at the MAC Championships in 2012. In his final season donning a Chippewa singlet, Mattingly finished the year with an 18-17 overall record and a 3-5 record in conference duals. Mattingly not only led CMU on the mat but in the classroom as well, garnering Academic All-MAC honors two times. He was also a member of the NWCA Academic All-American team in his sophomore season.
EASTERN EARNS FIRST CONFERENCE WIN OF THE SEASON: The Eastern Michigan University wrestling team earned its first Mid-American Conference victory of the 2014-15 season and snapped a eight-dual losing streak, taking down the University at Buffalo, 22-10, with seven bout victories Sunday, Feb. 15. The Eagles earned six decisions and one major decision en route to its first conference victory of the season, while UB grabbed one extra-point win and two decisions on the afternoon. Trailing UB, the Eagles roared back with four-straight bout wins, including a shutout victory from Nicholas Barber at 149 lbs. and a 14-2 major decision from Brandon Zeerip at 157 lbs., to take the 16-7 advantage with three bouts remaining.
The Bulls saw what would be their final win of the night at 184 lbs. as Joe Ariola notched a 6-1 decision but redshirt-junior Anthony Abro locked up the meet for the Green and White at 197 lbs. The Canton, Mich. put the dual out of reach with his 6-4 decision at 197 lbs. before Gage Hutchison earned a 9-2 decision in the heavyweight division.
UP NEXT ON THE MATS: Following its final regular season dual, the Eastern Michigan wrestling team will prepare for the Mid-American Conference Championships, Mar. 7-8, hosted by the University of Missouri.
The Eastern Michigan University wrestling team closes out the 2014-15 regular season Friday, Feb. 20, when it takes on Central Michigan University in a Senior Night affair at the Convocation Center. The Green and White will honor four Eagle seniors prior to the dual with CMU, which is slated to start at 7 p.m.
For fans who are unable to make it out to the dual against CMU, the match will be broadcast on Eastern's live webstreaming service Eagle All-Access. Fans will be able to watch the dual as well as get play-by-play from former EMU wrestlers J.J. Johnson and Drew Lesko. Subscriptions for Eagle All-Access start at just $6.95 and can be purchased at EMUEagles.com/watch.
SENIOR SNAP SHOTS: Friday night's dual will serve as the final regular season match for three senior grapplers. Below is snap shot of each of their careers as an Eagle.
-- Jake Byers: The Cedar Springs, Mich. native has grappled in 92 bouts for the Green and White since his arrival in Ypsilanti. This season, Byers holds a 2-8 overall record with one pin and one decision in the 141 lb. weight class. The redshirt-senior's best season came in the 2012-13 campaign when he posted a 16-13 overall record and a 1-1 mark in conference action.
--- Mike Curby: The Osseo, Mich. native appeared in 108 bouts for Eastern Michigan in his five-year career. This season, Curby earned a starting roll in the EMU lineup, highlighting the 184 lb. weight class. Most recently, the 184 lb. grappler picked up a major decision over Jon Goerke of Missouri for his first conference win of the 2014-15 campaign.
---Brandon Zeerip: The Fremont, Mich. native has had an impressive career at Eastern Michigan in two short years after transferring from the University of Michigan. The 157 lb. grappler immediately earned a starting spot in the lineup and has surpassed the 20-win plateau in both seasons as an Eagle. Last season, Zeerip earned an at-large bid to the NCAA Championships after placing sixth at the MAC Championships and posting a 20-14 overall record. This year, Zeerip is on pace to make his second-straight NCAA appearance with a 22-10 overall record and a 5-2 mark in conference action.
-- Collin Zeerip: The Fremont, Mich. native picked up one win as an Eagle before seeing his year come to a close due to a season-ending injury. Zeerip was a four-year letterwinner at the University of MIchigan where he placed eighth in the Big Ten Championships at 174 lbs. and earned the Most Falls Award in 2011.
SCOUTING CENTRAL: The Chippewas come into the Friday night dual with a 7-6 overall record and a 5-2 mark in Mid-American Conference actions, falling to Missouri and Old Dominion in conference action. CMU tallied just nine points in its most recent dual against the Monarchs of Old Dominions following a 19-13 victory over Kent State, Feb. 1.
Central is led by Zach Horan, who is currently ranked as the No. 1 wrestler in the MAC at 141. lbs. Horan is also ranked in the Intermat.com poll as the No. 11 wrestler in his weight class, carrying a 14-4 overall record and a clean 6-0 mark in MAC duals.
Along with Horan, Colin Heffernan comes in at No. 15 on the Intermat.com rankings and as the No. 3 grappler in the MAC at 149 lbs. The redshirt-freshman will meet up with former teammate Nicholas Barber in the weight class Friday night as the St. Edward graduate has notched an 18-8 overal record and a 4-1 record in conference duals.
SERIES HISTORY WITH THE CHIPS: Eastern Michigan has struggled with Central Michigan in the past nine seasons, going 1-8 since the 2005-06 season. The Eagles are averaging a mere 7.5 points per dual in the past nine seasons, while CMU averages 24.4 points per dual. Despite EMU's past struggles, the Green and White used a pin in the final bout of the night last season to take the 18-16 win over the Chippewas. Then-redshirt-senior Khodor Hoballah pinned CMU's Adam Robinson in 6:28 to allow the Eagles to take the win and tally former Head Coach Derek DelPorto's first ever win over Central Michigan.
The Eagles return five starters from last season's dual, including Anthony Abro and Brandon Zeerip, who each earned victories. The Chips return six starters from a season ago.
FEELS LIKE HOME AGAINST CMU: The Eastern Michigan wrestling coaching staff feels at home when grappling with the Chippewas since all three EMU coaches were once Chips. Head Coach David Bolyard graduated from Central Michigan in 2005 as one of the most decorated wrestlers in CMU history. As a Chippewa, Bolyard joined the CMU 100 Win Club and earned a spot in CMU laurels by recording the 10th most wins in Central Michigan history. Bolyard also set a then-record of 21 straight wins during his senior campaign. He was a four-time NCAA qualifier, while earning All-American status in 2004.
The two-time NWCA Academic All-American won an individual MAC Championship in 2005, while also being named CMU's Chick Sherwood Most Outstanding Wrestler.
Following Bolyard's graduation, Luke Smith joined the CMU wrestling team earning a host of accolades in his four year career. He was ranked as high as fourth in the country at 125 pounds. During his senior season, his team reached their highest ranking in program history when they ended the 2007-08 dual season at No. 2. He was the Mid-American Conference Freshman of the Year for the 2004-05 season.
Eastern's newest staff member, Scott Mattingly, spent the last five years as a student-athlete on the CMU wrestling squad, where he headlined the 149 lb. weight class in his senior season. The Uniontown, Ohio native was a four-time Mid-American Conference Tournament placer, including a runner-up finish in 2011. As a sophomore, Mattingly qualified for the NCAA Championships after grabbing a third-place finish at the MAC Championships in 2012. In his final season donning a Chippewa singlet, Mattingly finished the year with an 18-17 overall record and a 3-5 record in conference duals. Mattingly not only led CMU on the mat but in the classroom as well, garnering Academic All-MAC honors two times. He was also a member of the NWCA Academic All-American team in his sophomore season.
EASTERN EARNS FIRST CONFERENCE WIN OF THE SEASON: The Eastern Michigan University wrestling team earned its first Mid-American Conference victory of the 2014-15 season and snapped a eight-dual losing streak, taking down the University at Buffalo, 22-10, with seven bout victories Sunday, Feb. 15. The Eagles earned six decisions and one major decision en route to its first conference victory of the season, while UB grabbed one extra-point win and two decisions on the afternoon. Trailing UB, the Eagles roared back with four-straight bout wins, including a shutout victory from Nicholas Barber at 149 lbs. and a 14-2 major decision from Brandon Zeerip at 157 lbs., to take the 16-7 advantage with three bouts remaining.
The Bulls saw what would be their final win of the night at 184 lbs. as Joe Ariola notched a 6-1 decision but redshirt-junior Anthony Abro locked up the meet for the Green and White at 197 lbs. The Canton, Mich. put the dual out of reach with his 6-4 decision at 197 lbs. before Gage Hutchison earned a 9-2 decision in the heavyweight division.
UP NEXT ON THE MATS: Following its final regular season dual, the Eastern Michigan wrestling team will prepare for the Mid-American Conference Championships, Mar. 7-8, hosted by the University of Missouri.
Players Mentioned
184
/ Wrestling
149
/ Wrestling
141
/ Wrestling
184
/ Wrestling
184
/ Wrestling
285
/ Wrestling
157
/ Wrestling
165
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