Jan. 7, 2007

From Central Michigan Athletics

MOUNT PLEASANT, Mich. (cmuchippewas.com) - If ever a tie felt like a win for the Central Michigan University wrestling team, it was this one.

Fifth-ranked Bubba Gritter's 10-2 major decision over unranked Matt Pollock at heavyweight capped a stunning comeback as No. 9 CMU tied No. 3 Hofstra University, 18-18, in Rose Arena Sunday afternoon.

The tie is the first for CMU (5-2-1 overall) since a 15-15 draw with Northwestern in Rose Arena Dec. 12, 1999. For Hofstra, it was the second stalemate in as many days. The Pride won four of the final five matches in an 18-18 tie at No. 11 Michigan Saturday night.

Hofstra (7-0-2) won five of the first six bouts and held a commanding 18-3 lead entering the 174-pound matchup. From there, however, CMU's four winningest individuals this season took control.

Fifth-ranked Brandon Sinnott ignited the comeback with a 4-1 decision over No. 12 Alton Lucas at 174 pounds. Following a scoreless first period, Sinnott tallied an escape early in the second period and a takedown with 55 seconds left in the third for the victory.

Ninth-ranked Christian Sinnott dominated unranked Rich Muzikar throughout at 184 pounds, posting a 20-3 technical fall in the third period. Sinnott scored four takedowns in the third period alone as he cut the Hofstra lead to 18-11.

The 197-pound bout featured a rematch from the 2006 NCAA Tournament, as 10th-ranked Wynn Michalak with No. 3 Chris Weidman. Weidman, who posted a 10-7 win over Michalak at the national tournament, scored a takedown in the opening seconds that Michalak immediately answered with an escape. Another Michalak escape in the second period evened the score at 2-2 entering the third period. Weidman took his first lead with a reversal, but Michalak cut the deficit to 4-3 with his third escape of the match. Then, with just 25 seconds remaining, he scored a takedown, followed by three back points just before the final buzzer to post an 8-4 victory.

Michalak's win cut the Hofstra lead to 18-14 entering the finale at heavyweight. Gritter's takedown in the closing seconds of the third period, along with a pair of stalling points and riding time advantage, locked up a 10-2 major decision and evened the score at 18-18.

CMU's only other win came at 149 pounds, where Brandon Carter earned an 8-2 decision over Mike Parziale. Carter tallied a takedown in each period and had nearly a three-minute advantage in riding time.

CMU is back in action next weekend, traveling to Cedar Rapids, Iowa for National Duals.