Both teams have multiple wrestlers ranked in the top five in the MAC individual rankings. In the 125-pound weight class, senior Nic Bedelyon, who is ranked No. 1 in the MAC rankings, will be matched up with No. 3 Jared Germaine of EMU. Junior Keith Witt, ranked No. 1 in the 197-pound class, will take on No. 2 Nick Wittenberg. Junior Stevie Mitcheff will challenge the Eagles’ Andrew Novak, the No. 1-ranked MAC wrestler in the 133-pound class.

“They’re a very dangerous team because of the matchups,” Andrassy said. “In a dual meet, it’s all about the matchups. We have to come out strong and be ready to wrestle.”

Andrassy said because of the potential title implications, both teams are going to be motivated to fight hard and come out on top.

“This is their MAC title chance,” Andrassy said. “They have an opportunity to get a share of the title, and we have an opportunity to win it outright. So they’re going to be excited and fight hard. We have to match that intensity.”

Historically, Kent State has enjoyed consistent success against Eastern Michigan with an all-time record of 38-1-1. EMU hasn’t won a dual meet against the Flashes since 1974.

Eastern Michigan is a very improved team, however, and Andrassy said the Flashes wrestlers are working hard in practice to prepare themselves.

“So far, we’ve proven that we’re the best team in the conference,” Andrassy said. “We’ve done the hard part. Now, we just have to finish the job.”

Contact Tim Dorst at [email protected].