The No. 4-ranked Chippewas (16-2 overall, 5-0 MAC) have won 12 MAC titles overall. Sunday's win was CMU's 29th straight in MAC action and 53rd in its last 54 conference outings. The Chippewas have finished with unbeaten MAC records each of the last five seasons.
CMU's seven seniors—Brandon Carter, Bubba Gritter, Ben Kelto, Wynn Michalak, Brandon Sinnott, Christian Sinnott and Luke Smith—were honored prior to the start of Sunday's dual. The senior class helped lead the Chippewas to four straight conference titles and perfect 20-0 mark in MAC duals during its career.
The Chippewas capped their championship campaign in dominating fashion, rolling up a season-high 45 points and posting their third shutout of the season. The 45-point margin of victory was the largest in a MAC dual since a 46-0 win over Miami in 1999.
Smith (125 pounds), Carter (149) and Michalak (197) all recorded falls in their final Rose Arena appearance. CMU also scored bonus points at 133 (major decision), 157 (major decision), 165 (void) and 285 (major decision).
Michalak's pin was his team-high 11th of the season and 48th of his career. He finishes the season with a perfect 15-0 dual record. Michalak also improved to 18-1 in his career in conference duals, the best career MAC record for a Chippewa since Casey Cunningham was also 18-1 from 1995-99.
Smith opened the dual with his fifth fall of the season, pinning Heath Allen at the 4:04 mark. The win was Smith's eighth straight and 101st of his career.
Conor Beebe stretched CMU's lead to 10-0 with an 11-3 major decision at 133 pounds. Beebe scored three takedowns in the win.
A first-period takedown was all Eric Kruger needed in a 3-0 win at 141 pounds. He also tallied an escape in the second period.
Carter posted CMU's second pin at 149. He put Kevin Christensen to his back at the 1:58 mark in the first period. The pin was Carter's fourth of the season.
At 157, Steve Brown scored seven points in the third period en route to a 14-5 win over Clay Tucker. Brown led 2-1 at the end of the first period and 6-3 after the second period. He also built a riding time advantage of 3:19 during the match.
Ohio (6-16 overall, 0-5 MAC) voided the 165-pound bout, and the forfeit extended CMU's lead to 29-0.
Brandon Sinnott earned a 9-6 decision at 174 pounds, his team-leading 25th victory of the season. Christian Sinnott followed with a 10-3 decision at 184, his 23rd victory of the year and 95th of his career.
Michalak was leading 14-4 at 197 pounds before pinning Chris Iammarino at the 6:36 mark. Michalak finishes the regular season with an overall record of 24-1; he has won 13 straight matches.
Gritter capped the victory with a 20-6 major decision at heavyweight. Gritter scored eight takedowns in the victory and amassed a riding time advantage of 4:33.
CMU is off next weekend before traveling to Kent State for the Mid-American Conference Championships on March 7-8. The Chippewas have won six straight conference tournament titles.
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