The dual win wrapped up the 16th winning season in program history, and second in the last three years for Eastern.
EMU took six matchups on the day, while Old Dominion (5-11, 0-6 MAC) won four bouts. Only one dual resulted in bonus points, when redshirt senior No. 21 Anthony Abro (Canton, Mich. - Canton) won a major decision at 197 lbs. in his final dual action of his career.
Highlighting the day was redshirt sophomore Kyle Springer (New Boston, Mich.-Davenport Assumption) when he upset former All-American No. 12 Chris Mecate at 141 lbs. by an 11-4 decision. It was Springer's second win over a ranked opponent this season, and was a revenge match for him after falling to Mecate by 4-2 decision at The Midlands.
The dual started at 184 lbs. with redshirt freshman Derek Hillman (Woodhaven, Mich.-Woodhaven-Brownstown) having the tough task of facing No. 14 Jack Dechow of Old Dominion. Despite only trailing 3-2 after one period, Hillman was shutout the rest of the way, falling by a 5-2 decision.
Eastern quickly took the lead back at 197 lbs. when Abro overmatched his opponent for an 11-3 major decision win. It moved Abro's record to 18-6 on the season, and was his fourth major decision victory. It was also his tenth dual win this year. After two, EMU led 4-3.
The lead extended at the heavyweight bout when redshirt sophomore No. 28 Gage Hutchison (Buchanan, Mich.-Buchanan) faced a tough test against Old Dominion's Austin Coburn who wrestled up a class. Trailing 2-1 after one, Hutchison tied it on an escape in the second. With about 15 seconds left in the third, Hutchison notched the takedown to secure a 4-2 decision. It was also his 10th dual win and 18th overall win of the season.
Going back to the top, redshirt freshman Armando Torres (Lorain, Ohio-Elyria) rematched with No. 32 Brandon Jeske, after the two faced off at The Midlands. Torres started off strong, leading 3-2 after one. In the second, the tide turned in favor of Jeske as he notched a reversal and a near-fall to go ahead 8-3. Torres began to slowly come back in the third, but ultimately fell short, losing 10-6.
EMU rebounded at 133 lbs. when junior Shayne Wireman (Lansing, Mich.-Lansing) picked up his third dual win of the season with a 7-2 decision win over Josh Markham, who had an 8-1 record coming into the dual. Wireman used a 5-0 first period to coast to victory. Midway through the dual, EMU held a 10-6 lead.
Then came time for the big matchup for Springer at 141 lbs. Facing a ranked opponent for the seventh time this season, Springer picked up his second win over such opponents with the 11-4 decision, narrowly missing the major decision. For Springer, it was his 17th win of the season, and broke a four-bout losing skid.
In the only matchup of ranked opponents on the day, redshirt junior No. 24 Nicholas Barber (Cleveland, Ohio- St. Edward) went up against reigning All-American and No.8 ranked Alex Richardson at 149 lbs. Despite a hard-fought battle from Barber, he was ultimately felled by 9-3 decision. After seven, EMU maintained the lead 13-9
A fresh face graced the lineup for EMU at 157 lbs. when redshirt senior Michael Shaw (Allegan, Mich.-Allegan) made just his second start at that class this season, wrestling up from his normal 141 lbs. spot. The veteran was up to the challenge though, taking a thrilling 2-1 decision. It was a stalemate almost the whole way until Shaw found himself down 1-0 into the third. Late in the final period, Shaw notched the reversal to take the 2-1 win. It was Shaw's tenth win of the season and second dual win.
With two matchups to go and holding a 16-9 lead, EMU needed just one more win to secure the victory. The win wouldn't come at 165 lbs. when redshirt freshman Dakota Juarez (Grand Haven, Mich.-Grand Haven) dropped an overtime match by 6-4 decision to make it 16-12 going into the final bout.
At 174 lbs., redshirt junior No. 32 Jacob Davis (North Ridgeville, Mich.-St. Edward) secured the dual win for the Eagles when he controlled the bout from start to finish, completing an 8-3 decision. For Davis, it was his tenth dual win of the year as well as his 60th career EMU win.
With the dual schedule complete, the Eagles now turn their sights towards the MAC Championships. The two-day tournament will take place Saturday-Sunday, March 5-6. The tournament will be hosted by EMU at the Convocation Center for the first time since 2009.
Results:
125: No. 32 Brandon Jeske (ODU) over Armando Torres (EMU) (Dec 10-6)
133: Shayne Wireman (EMU) over Josh Markham (ODU) (Dec 7-2)
141: Kyle Springer (EMU) over No. 12 Chris Mecate (ODU) (Dec 11-4)
149: No. 8 Alexander Richardson (ODU) over No. 24 Nicholas Barber (EMU) (Dec 9-3)
157: Michael Shaw (EMU) over Devin Geoghegan (ODU) (Dec 2-1)
165: Seldon Wright (ODU) over Dakota Juarez (EMU) (SV 6-4)
174: No. 32 Jacob Davis (EMU) over Terrell Forbes (ODU) (Dec 8-3)
184: No. 14 Jack Dechow (ODU) over Derek Hillman (EMU) (Dec 5-2)
197: No. 21 Anthony Abro (EMU) over Kaleab Fetahi (ODU) (MD 11-3)
285: No. 28 Gage Hutchison (EMU) over Austin Coburn (ODU) (Dec 4-2)
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