MAC SCHOOLS
Coach: Tom Borelli (18th season)
Preseason rank: 18th
Individuals ranked: 4
Last year: 16-2, 7th in NCAA, 1st in Mid American Conference
Top Returners: Trevor Stewart (All-American), Mike Miller (All-American), Eric Kruger (NCAA Qualifier), Conor Beebe (NCAA Qualifer)
Impact Newcomers: Scotti Sentes (True Freshman), Jeff Shutich (RS Freshman), Marcel Dubose (True Freshman), Jarod Trice (RS Freshman)
Outlook: CMU graduates possibly the most accomplished senior class ever to come through Mt. Pleasant, however, they are also bringing in their most highly touted gorup of freshman as well. This year is looked at as many as an inbetween year for the Chipps, who will have alot of new faces in the lineup and many of their big recruits taking a redshirt year. However, coach Borelli is optimistic, "We did graduate a tremendous senior class, however I don't think anyone expected much out of the Sinnott twins, Brandon Carter, Bubba Gritter, or Wynn Michalak when they first broke into our line-up. I am expecting the same development from our current first year starters, especially considering all of these graduated seniors are still in Mt. Pleasant training with our youngsters," said Borelli. Trevor Stewart and Mike Miller are both all-americans who should provide some stablity and leadership in their lineup, and Kruger and Beebe are expierenced veterans as well who know how to win big matches. Freshman Scotti Sentes and Jarod Trice will both pivotal roles in the success of this team in their first seasons in the lineup. If the Chipps want to place high nationally they will need guys like Sentes, Trice, Steve Brown and more to step up this year.
Weight by weight breakdown:
125
True freshman Scotti Sentes made his college debut in grand fashion last weekend, winning the Brockport Open with two wins over ranked opponents including a 13 second pin in the finals. Sentes proved that he is capable of competing with nation's top 125lbers and may be just the big point scorer that CMU needs in this young lineup. If he continues at this pace he should be right in the hunt for all-american honors come March. Another 125lber to keep in mind is Matt Steintrager who returns for his final go-round in Mt. Pleasant. After sitting behind Luke Smith for the past few seasons, Steintrager will be ready to step on the mat full-time for CMU. He has done well when in the lineup and in open tournaments throughout his career so regardless of who CMU goes with here they should be tough to beat at 125.
133
Junior Conor Beebe returns for this 3rd season as the starter at this weight. Beebe has qualified for the National Tournament before and has been in and out of the national rankings throughout his career. He enters this year ranked 15th and is capable of competing with most of the nation's top guys in this weight. There is also possiblity of Sentes coming up and seeing time here. He is a big, tall 125lber and will likely not stay down at 125 his whole career, the question is just when he will go up.
141
Another seasoned veteran returning here is senior Eric Kruger. Kruger has wrestled with the best throughout his career beating guys like Alex Tsirtis and being ranked near the top 10. He has been inconsistent at times, but if Kruger can keep it together this year he has shown that he can beat just about anybody out there. Redshirt freshman and former Rockford state champ Jeff Shutich along with junior Tony D'Alie will push Kruger here as well.
149
Steve Brown appears ready to take the reigns at 149 this year after the graduation of Brandon Carter. Brown, who was a MAC champ and NCAA Qualifier at 157lbs last year, was the outstanding wrestler of the Brockport Open last weekend with two wins over top 10 opponents. He appears ready to contend at the national level and is just what the Chipps need at 149.
157
Tyler Grayson appears to the front runner at this weight after splitting time most of last season with Brown. Grayson is a junior and has shown potential over the past couple seasons but this will be the first time gets the opportunity to wrestle full-time in the Chippewa lineup.
165
Trevor Stewart is back for his senior season in Mt Pleasant. Stewart broke out last season with many big wins, including a dual meet win over Michigan's national runner up Eric Tannenbaum. Stewart finished a round from being an All-American last year and this year he should be in contention to get on the podium. He, along with Miller, are the Chippewa's best bets to All-American and score big points come NCAA tournament time.
174
2007 All-American Mike Miller will return to the Chippewa lineup after redshirting last year. Miller, who all-americaned at 165, should be one of the top 174lbers in the country and should be one of the leaders on this less expierenced team.
184
This weight is up for grabs with Eric Simaz and Vince Didona. Neither of these guys has seen much time in the past couple years as the Sinnot bros. have had 174 and 184 pretty much locked up, so it is hard to tell what to expect out them. With the Sinnots and Michalak still in the room look for whoever starts here to excel as the year progresses.
197
This is one of the question marks for CMU. True freshman Marcel Dubose is not expected to redshirt this year, and many would anticipate to be very competetive right out of the gates. However, there have some questions regarding his status on the Chippewa team and if he were not to compete than the door would open up for either Simaz/Didona or junior Hafeez Qureshi. No matter who wrestles here this will be one of the biggest questions for Borelli's squad
285
"Doughboy" Jarod Trice will be taking over as the Chippewa heavyweight as 2x all-american Bubba Gritter departs. The Highland Park native was a Sr National champ two years ago and was considered one of the best heavyweight prospects coming out. CMU is expecting him to pick up where Gritter left off and be competitive with the best big men in the country. Only time will tell.
Coach: Derek Delporto (3rd season)
Preseason rank: NR
Individuals ranked: 0
Last year: 15-9-1 (2-2 MAC) 6th in MAC
Top Returners: Sean Clair, David Wade
Impact Newcomers: JJ Johnson (RS Freshman), Corey Phillips (RS Freshman), Lester
France (Transfer)
Outlook: EMU graduated their only national qualifier from a year ago in Charles Pienaar, but Delporto's huge recruiting class from two years ago should start to pay dividends this year. After redshirting last year, guys like JJ Johnson, Corey Phillips, and Jordan McGuire should see time this year. Delporto has brought in a lot of talent, particularly Michigan talent, over the past couple years so it should exciting to see how these in-state kids fare. Back in October Delporto predicted his redshirt freshman class to make an impact, "I would take an October guess and say that we will probably see half of EMU's starting line-up occupied by that recruiting class," he said
Top returners include Sean Clair, who has been on the brink of being one of the best in the country over the past couple years. Heavyweight Dave Wade is a talented big man who is capable of making an impact in the MAC as well. It is difficult to predict how they will do as EMU will have alot of young wrestlers in their lineup this year. No matter who steps on the mat, Delporto has made his goals clear, "This year's focus is setting a new standard for EMU Wrestling. We want people to recognize our hard work and be entertained by our style of wrestling."
Weight by weight breakdown:
125
After enjoying a great true freshman season, Andrew Novak has moved up in weight, which leaves redshirt freshman Jordan Maguire as the man here. Maguire is a former Ohio state placer and was part of that big recruiting class. Sophomore Adam Draves of Grand Rapids Northview should provide depth.
133
Sean Clair will return for his 2nd year starting at 133lbs. Last year Clair began the year hot and was ranked in the Top 20 throughout much of the year. If he can stay consistent this year he is capable of contending for a MAC title and is EMU's best shot and scoring major points at the NCAA tournament. 2-year letterwinner Chris Jenkins of Tecumseh is capable of doing well for the Eagles here as well and will push Clair for time.
141
After redshirting last year, former Canton state champ Corey Phillips should be the guy for EMU at 141. Phillips wrestled well at the MSU Open, going 3-2 and wrestling a tough match with top 10 ranked Keith Sulzer of Northwestern. Andrew Novak is up at this weight as well, but will likely redshirt barring an injury to Phillips. Former Dundee standout Zach Donofrio is here as well and gave Phillips a run for his money at the MSU Open, losing a close 11-10 decision.
149
Redshirt freshman JJ Johnson of Rockford is the front-runner for EMU at this weight. Johnson, who was a senior national all-american in high school, finished 2nd at the EMU Open and appears ready to take the mat for the Eagles. David Pienaar is back here also after starting last year and will challenge for the spot as well.
157
Former Flat Rock 2x state champ and Senior National All-American Lester France returns to his homestate after redshirting last year for Old Dominon. France retained his eligibility and is now a redshirt freshman at EMU with 4 years of service to give. After the graduation of Corey Mancuso last year, the Eagles will need France to step right in and contribute. Former Michigan state champs Nick Hendrick and Justin Joseph will push France here as well, along with Drew Lesko.
165
Justin Brandel is back after starting most of last year for EMU at this weight and going 14-19. Brandel, a senior, is a 2-year letterwinner and is one of the more expiernced grapplers in this lineup. Three-year letterwinner Josh Moulton will vy for team here as well.
174
This weight appears up for grabs. The only wrestlers listed at 174 on the EMU roster are true freshman and former Dundee state champ Chris Eggert along with redshirt freshman and Missouri state champ Tommy St. Louis. Eggert finished 3rd at the EMU Open, however, Delporto may opt to redshirt him and give St.Louis the nod. Either way they will have a young, talented wrestler at this weight.
184
This weight opens up after the graduation of NCAA qualifier Charles Pienaar. Redshirt junior Josh Lewis and sophomore Derek Foore are the leading candidates to take the mat at 184 for the Eagles. Lewis redshirted last year, going 10-6 in Open competetion and Foore started at 174 going 14-18. Foore was a true freshman last year so Delporto decide to redshirt him this year.
197
Veteran John McClure returns here after starting last year at this weight and the year prior at 184lbs. He was 15-19 last year and 2-3 in the MAC. True freshman Zach Pummill of Ohio is here as well but will likely redshirt.
285
Redshirt sophomore David Wade is back at 285 after enjoying a sucessfull campaign that saw him finish 4th in the MAC Tournament. Wade is one of the top returners for EMU and will be looking to build off his solid freshman season this year with an NCAA Tournament bid. Redshirt freshman Matt Pettigrew and Wes Schroeder will provide depth behind Wade.
