2024-25 Central Michigan University Season Preview

2023-24 Recap

The Chippewas had three NCAA qualifiers a season ago with two of them returning. Johnny Lovett (157lbs) and Alex Cramer (174lbs) both won MAC championships to earn their spot at the NCAA tournament, and both guys will return this year. Corbyn Munson qualified for nationals once again last season but has since graduated. Lovett, Cramer, and Munson were key factors in helping the Chippewas win another MAC tournament championship. CMU led start-to-finish, ultimately beating runner-up Rider by 16.5 points.

In the regular season, CMU went 8-8 in duals but saw an outstanding record of 6-1 in conference duals. CMU's lone dual loss came to Northern Illinois, although CMU would avenge that by beating the Huskies by more than 50 points at the MAC tournament.

Key Departures

The biggest departure from the program is long-time head coach Tom Borelli, who retired after 33 seasons with the Chippewas. Borelli lead CMU to 15 MAC tournament championships and was the MAC Coach of the Year 15 times. In his place, CMU legend Ben Bennett will be taking over after 11 seasons as Borelli's assistant. Bennett, a 4x All American for the Chippewas, will look to make it back-to-back team MAC championships for his alma mater.

CMU also lost Corbyn Munson, one of the winningest wrestlers in program history. Munson will have tough shoes to fill after qualifying for the NCAA tournament in three straight seasons. Tracy Hubbard is the also starter to graduate. Hubbard started for three seasons, being entered at the MAC tournament twice.

Key Additions

CMU brought in four freshmen, as well as one big impact transfer at 184lbs. Aidan Fockler (Massillon Perry HS, Ohio) is the biggest incoming recruit. Fockler was a 2x state champ and 3x finalist in D1 in Ohio, finishing at #154 in the Class of 2024 recruiting rankings. Cam Chinavare (Dundee HS) is a really nice in-state pick up himself as a 3x state champ. Nick Blackburn, a 3x state placer in Ohio, will provide depth at 149lbs this year. Trey Myers (Fremont HS) rounds out the incoming freshmen and is expected to redshirt at 184lbs.

Adrien Cramer transferred in from Maryland and is expected to challenge for the spot at 184lbs. Adrien is the brother of Alex, CMU's returning starter at 174lbs.

2024-25 Projected Lineup

The Chippewas are returning guys that were at least part-time starters at 9 of 10 weights. The only true newcomer is transfer Adrien Cramer at 184lbs, and he started at Maryland. Munson (149lbs) and Hubbard (165lbs) were the starters last year and have since graduated, although Swiderski was the entry at the MAC tournament last season, and Shrader has plenty of varsity experience himself. There is a lot of depth on this team with guys like Trenton Wachter (149lbs) and Brayden Gautreau (174lbs). The Chippewa roster is young and talented, so we would expect numerous variations of the lineup throughout the year.

Wt - Name (Previous School)
125 - Sean Spidle (Flint Powers HS)
133 - Vince Perez (Tecumseh HS)
141 - Jimmy Nugent (Downers Grove South HS, Illinois)
149 - Mason Shrader (Brighton HS)
157 - Johnny Lovett (Miami Southridge HS, Florida)
165 - Tyler Swiderski (Dundee HS)
174 - Alex Cramer (Old Dominion)
184 - Adrien Cramer (Maryland) or Cody Brenner (New Boston Huron HS)
197 - Cameron Wood (Montoursville HS, Pennsylvania)
285 - Bryan Caves (Riversdale HS, Illinois)

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