March 6, 2010

MAC Championships Day One Results in PDF Format

MT. PLEASANT, Mich. - The Northern Illinois University wrestling team will have two wrestlers competing for conference titles after Bryan Deutsch and Patrick McLemore each posted victories in their semifinal bouts of the 2010 Mid-American Conference Championships at Central Michigan's Rose Center Saturday afternoon.

"I think we wrestled pretty tough," NIU head coach Dave Grant said. "We have a great opportunity in the finals. We just have to have a good day of wrestling tomorrow."

Deutsch, the No. 2 seed in this year tournament and defending MAC champion at 157, will look to repeat when he faces No.1 seed Steve Brown of Central Michigan. Deutsch, the Columbia City, Ind. native, advanced to the championship match after scoring a major decision victory over Kent State's Mallie Shuster, 12-3.

"He [Deutsch] wrestled smart and got some back points and was consistent about his effort," Grant said. "It was a big win for him. He's got a big match up in the finals and just has to be ready to go."

McLemore earned his spot in the championship match after scoring a 6-4 decision over Ohio's Germane Lindsey at 141. The victory was a bit of redemption for McLemore as the Hinkley, Ohio product lost to Lindsey during NIU's dual meet with the Bobcats during the regular season.

Deutsch and McLemore will not be the only Huskies looking to place tomorrow. Senior Dan Ruettiger (Joliet, Ill./Providence) is still alive, going 2-1 on the day. Ruettiger posted a 6-1 win over Kent State's Marcel Clopton, but fell to No. 1 seed Desi Green of Buffalo, 3-2, dropping him to the consolation round. Ruettiger knocked off David Pienaar of Eastern Michigan in his first consolation semi-finals match and will compete for third place Sunday. His first opponent will be No. 2 seed Tony D'Alie of Central Michigan.

"He had a really tough match with the kid from Buffalo," he said. "He came back through the wrestle backs and won another match."

Junior Tristen DeShazer (Wichita, Kan./Wichita West) will also be wrestling for placing tomorrow. Because the NCAA selection committee views the 133 weight class in the MAC as a strong class and there is a possibility of multiple qualifiers, DeShazer will be wrestling in the fifth place match despite having two losses. DeShazer will face Quentin Keyes of Ohio.

The Huskies are currently in fifth place with 17.5 points, while Central Michigan leads the field with 54.5 points. Kent State is second with 44, followed closely by Buffalo (41.5). Ohio is in fourth with 38 points and Eastern Michigan is last with 11 points.

The 2010 MAC Wrestling Championships conclude tomorrow with the first match of the day starting at 9:30 a.m. CST.

Team Standings 1. Central Michigan 54.5
2. Kent State 44
3. Buffalo 41.5
4. Ohio 38
5. Northern Illinois 17.5
6. Eastern Michigan 11

-NIU-