MAC Champs Await Conference Tournament
No. 8 Chippewas prepare for MAC Tournament next weekend.
MOUNT PLEASANT – The Central Michigan University wrestling team (16-4, 5-0 Mid-American Conference), ranked eighth in the Feb. 23 USA Today/NWCA poll, claimed its seventh-straight MAC title last weekend, finishing the conference season at 5-0. The Chippewas beat Kent State, 32-6, and Ohio, 23-9, last weekend.
The seven-consecutive conference titles are a record in Chippewa history. In fact, this feat is a first in any CMU varsity sport.
In the seven seasons, CMU has posted an amazing 35-1 MAC record against its opponents. The lone loss was at Northern Illinois two seasons ago.
This season, the Chippewas have controlled all of their conference opponents. The biggest margin of victory was 26 in a 32-6 win against Kent State, and the closest dual was 14 in a 23-9 win over Ohio.
With the conclusion of the conference and regular season, CMU is preparing for the MAC Tournament on Friday and Saturday, March 4-5. The conference tournament is in Kent, Ohio, at the Memorial Athletic and Convocation (M.A.C.) Center. Friday’s quarterfinals are at 1 p.m., and the semifinals are at 7 p.m. The finals are Saturday at 1 p.m.
The Chippewas are looking to win their eight MAC Tournament title in the last nine seasons. For the MAC, 19 individual bids are at stake for the NCAA Championships. The 19 openings consist of the 10 MAC individual weight class champions and nine wildcard positions that are voted on by the coaches.
COACH BORRELLI’S THOUGHTS – “It was nice to win the two duals handedly, but we need to be sharper in the MAC Tournament. I expect nothing but the best from the other five teams. We need to be at the top of our game.”
LUCKY NO. SEVEN – CMU is aiming to conclude this season ranked higher than ever. The best ranking the Chippewas have been was seventh in the USA Today/NWCA poll on February 7, 1999. CMU finished eighth nationally in the polls that season, the best in school history.
NINE IS FINE – With the domination put up by the Chippewas this season, double-digit points aren’t earned often against CMU. CMU has held its opponents to nine or less points in the last seven duals and in 12 of its 16 wins this season.
TOP COMPETITION – The Chippewas have battled many tough opponents this season. Nine of the 20 duals were against ranked opponents, and CMU won five of those duals.
The Chippewas beat No. 14 Northern Iowa, No. 16 Arizona State, No. 21 Penn State, No. 22 Penn, and No. 23 Northern Illinois. CMU lost to fifth-ranked Michigan, eighth-ranked Minnesota twice, and 10th-ranked Oklahoma.
HOME SWEET HOME – Rose Arena is becoming a tough place to wrestle for CMU’s opponents. CMU has not lost a home dual since November 28, 2001, when the team lost to Michigan State, 18-16. The Chippewas have won 19-straight home duals.
The home conference streak continues even longer. CMU has not a lost a home conference dual since January 25, 1998, when the team lost to Ohio, 22-17. Currently, the home conference dual winning streak is at 20.
AMONG THE BEST – David Bolyard, the ninth-ranked 165-pounder, continues to move up in the CMU record book. He has 104 career wins as a Chippewa, tied for eighth all-time with Jason Mester and Ryan Cunningham. The most career wins at CMU is 134, held by Casey Cunningham.
Wrestling Gear
