College Preview - Central Michigan

PREVIOUS SEASON RECAP

In the 2022-23 season, the Chippewas finished with a 6-10 dual record. However, those dual losses were inflated due in large part to a brutal out-of-conference schedule. CMU wrestled the likes of Penn State, Michigan, Michigan State, North Carolina, North Carolina State, and Oregon State in non-MAC action. In conference action, CMU went 5-1, beating Buffalo, Ohio, Kent State, SIUE, and Northern Illinois. The lone MAC loss came to Clarion.

CMU put together an outstanding MAC tournament, finishing only 2.5 points behind tournament champions Lock Haven. Leading the way for the Chippewas was Johnny Lovett and Alex Cramer who were crowned conference champions. Additionally, Corbyn Munson's 5th-place finish earned him a qualifying bid to the NCAA tournament. All three NCAA qualifiers from last season are back and will look to build on those campaigns.

KEY DEPARTURES

CMU will return 9 of 10 starters, with their only departure being former D1 MHSAA state champ Ben Cushman (Flushing). Cushman was a four year starter for the Chippewas and won 43 career matches in the Maroon & Gold, including a career-high 16 wins in his Senior campaign. Central has a few options to replace Cushman at 184lbs, including Adrien Cramer, who is a transfer from Maryland. Cramer's brother (Alex) was an NCAA qualifier and MAC champ last season for CMU.

IMPACT NEWCOMERS

The Chippewas have a big class coming in, which includes 10 Freshmen and one transfer. The transfer, Adrien Cramer, will look to make the most immediate impact in the lineup. Cramer, who transferred in from Maryland, was an Illinois state champion, a Fargo Greco champion, and the #76 overall recruit coming out of high school. He projects to wrestle at 184lbs.

This class is loaded with state champs, including Skebba and Aure from Wisconsin, as well as Stahl, Chinavare, Stradling, Adams, Hopkins, and Gautreau from Michigan. Luke Cochran (Georgia), who projects at 197/285, makes one more state champ for the class.

Kaden Chinavare could be a name to watch out for this year. A 2x state champ and 4x placer out of Dundee HS, Chinavare could challenge Nugent and Merritt for the spot at 141lbs out of the gate. Luke Cochran is another threat to compete as a true freshman, as he is a top-200 overall recruit and pinned his way through the Georgia state championships last season.

While it isn't likely for a true freshman to unseat Tracy Hubbard from the starting spot at 165lbs, Cameron Adams is dangerous and could have an outstanding career for CMU. A 3x state placer, Adams had a breakout Senior season, winning a D1 state championship for Detroit CC, and picking up numerous wins over nationally ranked wrestlers.

Brayden Gautreau, who also will likely redshirt with NCAA qualifier Alex Cramer at 174lbs, is a big pick up for the Chippewas. Gautreau is a 2x state champ out of Gaylord and is one of the biggest Greco threats in the country. Gautreau is a 2x Fargo All American and made the finals of the 2023 U20 Greco World Team Trials.

Full Incoming Class
125 - Wyatt Skebba (WI)
133 - Grant Stahl (Mt. Pleasant HS)
141 - Kaden Chinavare (Dundee HS)
141- Kellen Aure (WI)
141 - Brock Smith (IL)
149 - Louden Stradling (Gaylord HS)
165 - Cameron Adams (Detroit CC HS)
174 - Brayden Gautreau (Gaylord HS)
184 - Cole Hopkins (Evart HS)
184 - Adrien Cramer (Transfer, Maryland)
197 - Luke Cochran (GA)

PROJECTED LINEUP

As mentioned, there is a lot of experience in this lineup, with 9 of 10 starters returning. There are some questions at the lower weights to start the season. Sean Spidle looks to be the answer at 125lbs again after winning 12 matches a season ago. There will be some big wrestle offs at 133 and 141, with Perez/Austin and Nugent/Merritt, being options at those weights, respectively.

The middle weights will anchor this lineup once again. Munson, Lovett, and Cramer are returning qualifiers at 149, 157, and 174, respectively, while Tracy Hubbard is had a spectacular career thus far at 165lbs.

While the upper weights are young, they will look to have a huge year for the Maroon & Gold. Cramer can come in and make some immediate noise, while Wood and Craves can build off successful first years in the lineup.

Projected Lineup
125 - Sean Spidle
133 - Vince Perez / Andrew Austin
141 - Jimmy Nugent / Ja'Kerion Merritt
149 - #14 Corbyn Munson
157 - #15 Johnny Lovett
165 - Tracy Hubbard
174 - #18 Alex Cramer
184 - Adrien Cramer
197 - Cameron Wood
285 - Bryan Caves

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