Chippewas, Huskies stand in Bobcats path

by Eric Pfahler
Staff Writer

After dropping three straight matches that were tighter than a singlet, the Ohio wrestling team bull-rushed North Carolina State 26-12 Jan.19 for its first win since Dec.16.

The Bobcats (3-7-1) hope to ride the momentum against Mid-American Conference opponents Central Michigan and Northern Illinois this weekend.

Ohio wrestler Anthony Carrizales (133 pounds) said Ohio defeated North Carolina State with a conscious team effort.

“I don’t think it was so much the win, but how we got the win,” Carrizales said. “Our coaches are telling us, ‘Guys you’ve got to start doing things as a team. You’ve got to start getting excited. You’ve got to start taking it to the other team.’ Against North Carolina State guys were excited. Guys were being aggressive. It was more of a team effort.”

The Bobcats will face Central Michigan (4-4) tonight. Ohio coach Joel Greenlee said Central Michigan is Ohio’s biggest rival. The teams have combined to win the last five MAC championships. The Chippewas and Bobcats possess 20 of the MAC’s 50 championships.

This season appears to be no different. Four Chippewas rank in the top 20, including No. 13 Jason Mester (141).

The Bobcats counter with two ranked wrestlers of their own, including No. 10 Jake Percival (149) and No. 16 Ryan Smith (157).

Ohio then faces Northern Illinois in its first home meet of the season. Northern Illinois (1-3) brings three ranked wrestlers, including MAC wrestler of the Week Scott Owen (157). Owen is 20-1 this season and ranked No.10 by InterMat. He won with two technical falls against Kent State and Northwestern last week.

A key match-up for the Bobcats is Mark Shrout’s match against No. 16 Ben Heizer. Shrout is 3-0 since returning from a shoulder injury.

Shrout said he wants to face quality competition because it adds to the match.

“I try not to put too much into the rankings because you could psych yourself out,” Shrout said. “But when you see a ranking you can’t help getting a little excited because you have a chance to beat a known kid.”

Greenlee said the bull’s eye is Ohio’s two opponents and the Bobcats want to earn some respect in the rankings.

“(Having ranked team members) kind of gives them a target on their back,” Greenlee said. “Our guys really think we deserve to be there, and I think for the most part a lot of our guys do deserve to be there, but for one reason or another we are not ranked.”

Ohio faces Central Michigan tonight at 7 at Mt. Pleasant, Mich. The Bobcats then square off against Northern Illinois Sunday at 2 p.m. at The Convo.