Boasting nine nationally ranked wrestlers in their lineup, the Chippewas (11-4 overall, 3-0 Mid-American Conference) will be the overwhelming favorite in every match during the 7:30 p.m. dual meet at Rose Arena.
Despite the challenge, Bobcat head coach Joel Greenlee thinks his wrestlers can compete with their highly-touted counterparts in many of the match-ups.
"We can wrestle with them at almost all the weights," Greenlee said. "It's not all gloom and doom because I think we've got a pretty good team as well. If we go up there and out-fight them, we've got a chance."
Five of Central Michigan's victories have come against ranked opponents this year, including a 19-15 win over then-No. 3 Oklahoma at the National Duals on Jan. 14 and a 33-2 pasting of No. 24 Northern Illinois last Friday. The Chippewas, however, are not taking Ohio lightly.
"Ohio is a dangerous team," said CMU head coach Tom Borrelli. "They are young and talented and are in a position where they could turn the corner at any time."
The Bobcats (11-10, 1-3 MAC) are led by junior 184-pounder Brian Cesear (21-13), 125-pound sophomore Caleb Metcalf (19-14) and reigning MAC Wrestler of the Week Terry Jackson (14-8) at 133 pounds.
Friday's meet will close out the regular season for Ohio. The Bobcats will then have two weeks to prepare for the MAC Championships, being held March 3-4 in DeKalb, Ill.
Tentative lineup for Friday night's dual:
125 - Ohio's Caleb Metcalf (19-14) vs. #11 Luke Smith (17-4)
133 - Ohio's Terry Jackson (14-8) vs. #11 Jason Borrelli (19-6)
141 - Ohio's Albert Madsen (9-10) vs. #12 Brandon Carter (15-8)
149 - Ohio's Aaron Gomoll (14-17) vs. #5 Mark DiSalvo (19-5)
157 - Ohio's Jake Frerichs (13-7) vs. #16 Andy Keller (19-8)
165 - Ohio's Kent Smith (5-19) vs. Trevor Stewart (8-5)
174 - Ohio's Ryan Knapp (18-17) vs. #17 Brandon Sinnott (22-9)
184 - Ohio's Brian Cesear (21-13) vs. #18 Christian Sinnott (19-10)
197 - Ohio's Nick Terbay (15-11) vs. #1 Wynn Michalak (25-1)
HWT - Ohio's Marcus Adelman (10-10) vs. #13 Bubba Gritter (17-12)
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