Wrestling Drops MAC Opener to Ohio

YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – The Eastern Michigan University wrestling team dropped its Mid-American Conference opening dual to Ohio University, 20-12, Friday night, Jan. 6 in the Convocation Center Auxiliary Gym.

The Eagles (3-2, 0-1 MAC) took four bouts, all by decision, while the Bobcats (4-3, 2-1 MAC) had six wins, including one by technical fall at 157 lbs.

The dual began at heavyweight, where the Bobcats claimed a 7-2 decision, followed by a 4-1 decision in the only battle of ranked opponents.

EMU got on the board at 133 lbs. when senior Shayne Wireman (Lansing, Mich.-Holt) made his season dual debut. The veteran got started with a pair of takedowns to lead 4-1 into the second. It went 4-2 into the third, where Wireman got an escape and two more takedowns, and with riding time, got the 10-3 decision to cut the deficit to 6-3.

The Bobcats rebounded at 141 lbs., with a tight 4-1 decision. Another senior, Nick Barber (Cleveland, Ohio-St. Edward) kept the dual tight with a decision of his own at 149 lbs. Barber controlled the whole match, notching a takedown, reversal, and two-point near fall to build a 6-2 lead. A penalty point and riding time sealed the 8-2 decision, to move his record to 12-5 on the season, and 4-1 in duals. Midway through, it was a close 9-6 match.

Ohio gained a big lead at 157 lbs. after a 19-0 technical fall to make the score 14-6 after six bouts, and EMU needed a big win at 165 lbs. to stay alive. At 165, a third senior, Devan Marry (Hudson, Mich.-Hudson) was up to the task, taking a thrilling 10-4 decision.

Marry began in a hole, giving up a takedown to trail 2-0 into the second. In the second, Marry got a turn and a four-point near fall to take the lead, 4-2 into the third. In the third, Marry started on bottom and nearly got pinned himself, giving up the two back points, but Marry turned the near fall into a reversal, and a four-point near fall himself to get the 10-4 win. With three to go, EMU was still in range, 14-9.

Needing a win to get in striking distance, the Bobcats won the next two at 174. And 184 lbs., both by decision, 6-3 and 12-9, to put the dual out of reach, 20-9. In the final bout, redshirt sophomore Derek Hillman (Woodhaven, Mich.-Woodhaven) ended the match on a high note, winning 4-3 over OU's Bailey Faust who was undefeated in duals coming into the day, going 5-0. Hillman began in a hole, 2-0 after one, but tied it up in the second with a takedown to make it even, 2-2 into the third. Starting on top, Hillman gave up an escape, but got a takedown and rode out the 4-3, and finish the dual, 20-12.

Eastern has a quick turnaround with a dual against Old Dominion on Sunday, Jan. 8. The matchup with the Monarchs is set for noon inside the Convocation Center.

285: Zack Parker (OHIO) over No. 14 Gage Hutchison (EMU) (Dec 7-2)
125: No. 19 Shakur Laney (OHIO) over No. 18 Noah Gonser (EMU) (Dec 4-1)
133: Shayne Wireman (EMU) over KeVon Powell (OHIO) (Dec 10-3)
141: Noah Forrider (OHIO) over Kyle Springer (EMU) (Dec 4-1)
149: Nick Barber (EMU) over Kade Kowalski (OHIO) (Dec 8-2)
157: Cullen Cummings (OHIO) over J.J. Wolfe (EMU) (TF 19-0 6:36)
165: Devan Marry (EMU) over Austin Reese (OHIO) (Dec 10-4)
174: Arsen Arshughyan (OHIO) over Kayne MacCallum (EMU) (Dec 6-3)
184: Dontae McGee (OHIO) over Mitch Malott (EMU) (Dec 12-9)
197: Derek Hillman (EMU) over Bailey Faust (OHIO) (Dec 4-3)

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Players Mentioned

Nick Barber

Noah Gonser

Derek Hillman

Gage Hutchison

Kayne MacCallum

Mitch Malott

Devan Marry

Kyle Springer

Shayne Wireman

J.J. Wolfe

Eastern Michigan Athletics