NORFOLK, Va. -- The Old Dominion wrestling team (6-13, 1-7 MAC) fell to No. 19 Central Michigan, 21-15, in front of an electrifying crowd at the Jim Jarrett Athletic Administration Gymnasium Sunday afternoon in its final dual meet of the season. CMU prevailed on the strength of a late third-period takedown from eighth-ranked senior Mike Ottinger over redshirt freshman Jared Swan.
Beginning at 184, No. 11 Jack Dechow turned in a huge third period, scoring an escape, a takedown and rideout to defeat an upset-minded Jordan Ellingwood, 4-3.
At 197, Austin Severn knotted the dual meet score at 3-3 with an 8-2 decision over Kaleab Fetahi. Senior Jackson Lewis kept the momentum rolling for the Chippewas, knocking off Austin Coburn, 5-3, in a battle of 197 pounders who bumped up to heavyweight.
After a forfeit win for Brandon Jeske at 125, Central Michigan's Corey Keener came out swinging with a headlock to pin Josh Markham in 58 seconds. CMU lead ODU 12-9 at the halfway point.
In the feature matchup of the afternoon, No. 16 Chris Mecate prevailed over No. 14 Zach Horan with a takedown in the final five seconds of overtime to tie the dual meet, 12-12.
Central Michigan responded at 149, as ninth-ranked Justin Oliver upended No. 8 Alexander Richardson, 5-4, in an action-packed nailbiter to put CMU up, 15-12. No. 16 Luke Smith followed up with a 3-0 decision over Devin Geoghegan at 157.
Seldon Wright secured two takedowns and a stalling point to earn his fourth consecutive win, knocking off Central Michigan's Colin Heffernan, 5-3, who entered the bout ranked No. 13 down a few weight classes at 149.
In a thriller at 174, redshirt freshman Jared Swan made his dual meet debut for the Monarchs and led No. 8 Mike Ottinger for much of the match after securing an ankle-pick takedown in the first period, but the fifth-year senior Ottinger prevailed late with a 5-4 decision to seal the win for the Chippewas.
ODU will now prepare for the individual MAC Championships at Eastern Michigan in Ypsilanti on March 5-6.
No. 19 Central Michigan 21, Old Dominion 15
184: #11 Jack Dechow (ODU) dec. Jordan Ellingwood (CMU), 4-3
197: Austin Severn (CMU) dec. Kaleab Fetahi (ODU), 8-2
285: Jackson Lewis (CMU) dec. Austin Coburn (ODU), 5-3
125: Brandon Jeske (ODU) won by forfeit
133: Corey Keener (CMU) pin Josh Markham (ODU), 0:58
141: #16 Chris Mecate (ODU) dec. #14 Zach Horan (CMU), 3-1 OT
149: #9 Justin Oliver (CMU) dec. #8 Alexander Richardson (ODU), 5-4
157: #16 Luke Smith (CMU) dec. Devin Geoghegan (ODU), 3-0
165: Seldon Wright (ODU) dec. #13 (at 149) Colin Heffernan (CMU), 5-3
174: #8 Mike Ottinger (CMU) dec. Jared Swan (ODU), 5-4