March 7, 2010

Final MAC Championships Brackets in PDF Format

MT. PLEASANT, Mich. - The Northern Illinois University wrestling team concluded its run in the 2010 Mid-American Conference Championships at Central Michigan's Rose Center placing three wrestlers and taking fifth place overall Sunday afternoon.

The Huskies had three grapplers competing for a chance to advance to the NCAA Championships and two shooting for MAC titles when day two began. Bryan Deutsch (Columbia City, Ind./Columbia City) and Patrick McLemore (Hinkley, Ohio/Padua Franciscan) were in position to win MAC championships at 157 and 141 respectively, while senior Dan Ruettiger (Joliet, Ill./Providence) needed to win two matches to finish third at 149 and qualify for nationals.

Deutsch, who entered the tournament as the defending MAC champion at 157, faced Steve Brown of Central Michigan. Deutsch led 4-3 heading into the final period on a takedown and two escapes. However, Brown scored an escape, takedown and nearfall to take an 8-4 lead, eventually winning the match 8-5. Deutsch would then have to face Ohio's Clay Tucker to determine a true second place finisher at 157.

Duetsch scored a 15-6 major decision victory over Tucker in a dominating performance. He jumped out to a 5-0 lead with a takedown one minute into the match and a three-point nearfall. An escape and takedown in the second and a takedown in the third gave him a 10-3 lead over Tucker. A takedown and two-point nearfall gave Deutsch a 14-4 lead.

"That was a good finish by Bryan," NIU head coach Dave Grant said. "It's always hard when you lose in the finals and have to come back and wrestle later. It was a pretty decisive win for him. We're really pleased with his finish."

McLemore suffered a 6-2 loss to Central Michigan's Conor Beebe in his championship match. Beebe jumped out to a 3-0 lead after a takedown in the first period and an escape in the second. McLemore cut the deficit to 3-2 with a takedown in the third, but Beebe scored a reversal and added riding time to take the victory. McLemore finished the tournament in second place at 141.

McLemore and Deutsch earned All-MAC Honorable Mention by virtue of their second place finishes.

Ruettiger, who entered Sunday's action with an opportunity to advance to NCAAs with a third place finish, had to get past Tony D'Alie of CMU. With the match tied 3-3 heading into the final period, but an escape and takedown by D'Alie in the third period gave the Chippewas a 6-3 victory, ending Ruettiger's run at the MACs and his career at NIU.

"Dan, our only senior, wrestled with a lot of intensity," Grant said. "He can be proud that he ended his career leaving everything out on the mat. He's a special person in our program. He always gave 100 percent."

Ruettiger ends his Huskie career with a fourth place finish at 149 and a 16-15 overall record and a 48-38 career record.

Central Michigan won the team title, scoring 94 points, while Kent State finished in second with 73 points. Ohio edged out Buffalo for third place with 62 points and the Bulls finished with 60.5. Eastern Michigan finished in sixth with 18 points.

Team Standings 1. Central Michigan 94
2. Kent State 73
3. Ohio 62
4. Buffalo 60.5
5. Northern Illinois 24.5
6. Eastern Michigan 18

-NIU-