With conference play beginning tonight for the Ohio wrestling team, the Bobcats will try to leave their poor finish to last year in the past.
Picked to finish second in the Mid-American Conference preseason poll, Ohio managed to place just four individuals in the final two meets of 2003. But with the new year, the Bobcats look to start conference matches off on a positive note.
Ohio travels to Ypsilanti, Mich., to face Eastern Michigan, a team that finished last in the MAC this previous season. But at the Midlands Collegiate Championships a week ago, the Eagles finished 22nd while Ohio failed to place in the top 25.
Both Ohio coach Joel Greenlee and Eastern Michigan coach Charlie Branch were quick to point out that the Eagles are a better tournament team than dual meet team, however.
I know we're better suited as a tournament team
Branch said. In a dual meet you need to be a more balanced team. I think we are more balanced (this season) but we have a ways to go that's for sure.
Last season the Bobcats defeated Eastern Michigan 31-6. But Greenlee said that result is not always typical when his team faces the Eagles.
Every time we've wrestled Eastern Michigan
with the exception of last year
they've given us a good match
he said. Last year we really put it to them pretty good
but they were a much better team than that down the stretch.
The only Eagle to win a match last season was Chad Roush (157-pound weight class), but in order for him to win this year, he would have to do something no wrestler has done this season - beat Jake Percival.
Starting the season a perfect 24-0, Percival was forced out of the Midlands because of a shoulder injury. After resting it a couple days, he will be prepared for today's match, Greenlee said.
Ohio's strongest competition could come from J.J. Holmes (165), who placed seventh at the Midlands. Ohio wrestler Vinny DiGiovanni, who will face Holmes, failed to place.
Other competitive weight classes could come at the 141, 174 and 184 classes. Jon Spires (141), who finished below Eastern Michigan wrestler Jermaine Thompson at the Midlands, has never faced Thompson, but said he was impressed watching him wrestle a week ago.
He's definitely a top contender
Spires said. I'm really going to have to step it up if I want to beat him.
Wrestler Ed Willis also finished below his Eastern Michigan counterpart at last week's tournament, but has been one of the more consistent wrestlers on the team.
The dual meet will begin at 7 p.m. in Ypsilanti at Bowen Field House.
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