Central Michigan is a man among boys when it comes to MAC wrestling.
Thursday night the Chippewas improved their MAC winning streak to 27 consecutive dual meets with a 41-3 victory over NIU in front of 859 fans in Mount Pleasant, Mich.

Central Michigan (12-2 overall, 3-0 MAC), won nine out of the 10 matches and was able to pick up three pins, three major decisions and a technical fall.
“Considering we’re putting six freshmen out there this year, our guys are wrestling hard,” NIU head coach Dave Grant said. “We have to come back strong. We’re going through some growing pains.”

NIU’s (8-7, 2-2) lone victory came from senior Pat Castillo, ranked No. 10 in the nation. Castillo won his tenth straight match with a 5-2 win over CMU’s Conor Beebe.

“It was a big win,” Castillo said. “Winning those conference ones are always big.”
Castillo has been a constant source of energy for the Huskies, Grant said.
“The guy goes out and he’s aggressive every time,” Grant said. “He’s really a great leader for this program.”

The key match of the night was supposed to be between two nationally ranked wrestlers, NIU’s Duke Burk and CMU’s Brandon Sinnott. The match didn’t disappoint. Burk fought hard, but ended up losing his first match since Midlands, 4-1.

NIU travels to Ypsilanti, Mich., Saturday, where it will have its MAC finale against Eastern Michigan, and will also face Gardner Webb and Clarion.
“Every match is important in this conference,” Grant said. “It goes down into your seeding, so every match is crucial.”

Castillo will face his first ranked opponent since Midlands when he goes against Eastern Michigan’s Sean Clair, ranked No. 16 in the nation.

“It’s a big one to get that good seed,” Castillo said. “I have to be ready to go like always. He’s gonna be one of the top guys that I face.”

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