2010-11 College Preview - Central Michigan
Coach: Tom Borelli (20th Season)
Last year: 17-2 Record, 12th in NCAA, 1st in MAC
Preseason rank: #6
Individuals ranked: 4 - Scotti Sentes (133), Mike Miller (165),
Ben Bennett (174), Jarod Trice (285)
Top Returners: Sentes (All-American), Miller (2009 NCAA Runner
Up), Bennett (All-American), Trice (All-American)
Key Losses: Matt Steintrager (125), Conor Beebe (141), Tony
DAlie (149), Steve Brown (157), Tyler Grayson (165), Eric Simaz
(197)
Impact Newcomers: Kyle Waldo (Transfer-Nebraska), Joe Roth
(RS Freshman), Scott Mattingly (RS Freshman), Craig Kelliher
(RS Freshman)
Outlook: Central Michigan continues to solidify themselves as a
national power after winning their ninth straight MAC Tournament
Title last year and another Top 15 finish at the NCAAs.
The Chipps lose a big chunk of their squad from last year as six of
their ten starters have graduated, however, they return their three
big heavy hitters in All-Americans Scotti Sentes (133), Ben
Bennett (174), and Jarod Trice (285). In addition, CMU will benefit
off the return of Mike Miller, who earned a medical redshirt and has
one more year of eligibility. Miller, a 2009 NCAA Runner-Up, is
an immediate threat to contend for an NCAA title. Miller, Bennett, Trice, and Sentes are all legitimate threats to make the NCAA finals and they give CMU some major National Tournament scoring capability.
While their big four are no secret to anyone in the country, the difference between finishing top 5 in the country or top 15 will very well be how well the other six weights come together for Borelli and company. They have a lot of question marks and a lot of young guys that they will need to step in and step up fast. With the blue-chip out of state signees that they already have racked up this fall, there is no doubt that things are still moving in the right direction in Mt Pleasant.
Weight-By-Weight Preview
125
After the graduation of NCAA Qualifier Matt Steintrager, there are a few possibilities here for CMU. Former 4x Michigan State Champ Kyle Waldo transfers in from Nebraska after redshirting there last year and could be the go-to guy this year for CMU at 125. Waldo has competed with many of the top 125lbers in the country and has proven his ability to be competitive nationally. Sophomore Christian Cullinan has looked good in the Open events as well, he and Waldo both lost close matches to #17 ranked Sean Boyle at the EMU Open. Waldo has more national experience and will be the likely pick to start the season, but Cullinan has shown he is at that level as well. Redshirt Freshman Joe Roth is a former Senior National All-American as well who could be in the mix here.
133
2x National Qualifier Scotti Sentes is back at 133 for the Chipps and with his #6
national ranking, he is a strong candidate to earn All-American Status this year. He
was an All-American as a freshman at 125lbs two years ago and will be one of the
horses in this lineup this year. He is one of the guys that Borelli will count on througho
ut the season, but most importantly they will need big points from his come NCAA
Tournament time.
141
Redshirt Freshman Scott Mattingly will likely get the nod for CMU at 141 this year.
After a strong redshirt year last year and a solid preseason so far this year, Mattingly
appears to primed to hold this weight down for the Chipps. He placed Top 6 at both the EMU and MSU Opens and scored a big win at MSU over returning All-American Cashe Quiroga of Purdue. He has proven he is ready to compete with the best kids in the country and should be an immediate force in the MAC at this weight. Look for Michigan State champion Dakota Cooley to redshirt this year behind Mattingly.
149
After the graduation of Tony DAlie this weight opens up for two talented wrestlers who have been waiting in the wings – Ryan Cubberly and Donnie Corby. Cubberly is a senior who has had success on the Open tournament circuit as well as in the Chippewa lineup. He has some big wins over notable opponents. Former Michigan State Champ Corby was solid last year as well with a 16-13 overall record and 1-1 record in duals during his first year of eligibility. Corby has not been in action so far this fall but if healthy he could be the man at this weight for Borelli.
157
Junior Eric Cubberly will likely be the main man here after the graduation of Steve Brown. Cubberly has been in and out of the lineup on occasion over his first two college seasons, but really hasn’t the opportunity to see consistent time. His talent is unquestionable as he was a big time recruit coming out of high school and with experience and time in the lineup, could be capable of breaking out this season.
165
2009 NCAA Runner-Up Mike Miller is back for a 6th year after receiving a
medical redshirt, which is a huge boost for the Chipps as he enters the season
ranked #3 in the country and is a serious threat to win a National Title. In addition,
Miller brings much needed leadership and experience to a young team. Redshirt
freshman Adam Miller adds depth and should be solid if anything goes wrong with
Mike.
174
Sophomore Ben Bennett comes back after a breakout freshman season that
ended with All-American status. The former Rockford standout and Senior
National Champ is now a known commodity on the college wrestling scene and should be primed for a National Title run. He is one of the main attractions in this lineup and after the freshman success he has, the sky appears to be the limit for Bennett over the next three years.
184
Junior Chad Friend, who redshirted last year after transferring from Muskegon Community College, should get his chance to prove himself this year as he appears to be the go-to guy for CMU at this weight. Friend was a 2x JUCO All-American and should transition nicely into the MAC and NCAA competition with his past experience and success. Former Michigan State Champ Dillon Kern provides good depth here for the Chipps as well.
197
This weight should be a battle between a pair of redshirt freshman in Jeff Beebe of Allendale and Craig Kelliher of Minnesota. Kelliher finished 4th at the EMU Open this year while Beebe has not been in action yet. Beebe won the EMU Open last year in the Fresh/Soph division. This is a weight where the Chipps will need someone to step up and solidify themselves.
285
“Doughboy” Jarod Trice is back for another run at the 285lb weight class. He is one of the most talented big men in the country and comes in with a ton of experience and past success against the nation’s best. Trice is a returning All-American and sits #2 in the current national rankings. He will be featured in the All-Star Classic this year and is one of the big, heavy hitters in this Chippewa lineup who will be called upon for big-time postseason points come March.
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Returning NCAA Qualifier David Cheza
Returning All-American Ben Bennett
Sentes
Mike Miller
