Michalak Runner-Up at NCAA Championships

ST. LOUIS - Central Michigan University senior 197-pounder Wynn Michalak of Caro (Mich.) High School has finished runner-up at the NCAA Wrestling Championships.

Wynn Michalak, the No. 4 seed at 197 pounds, was defeated by No. 2 seed Phil Davis (Penn State), 7-2, in the national championship match Saturday night.

Davis (26-1 overall) took a 2-0 lead with a takedown midway through the first period. Michalak escaped later in the period, then evened the score at 2-2 with an escape after starting in the bottom position in the second period.

A takedown later in the second period gave Davis a 4-2 lead entering the third period. He scored an escape, was awarded a point when Michalak was called for stalling and added the riding time point for the 7-2 decision.

Michalak closes his senior season 30-2 overall. He is one of four Chippewas to earn All-America honors in 2008, joining Brandon Sinnott (fifth, 174 pounds), Christian Sinnott (fourth, 184 pounds) and Bubba Gritter (seventh, heavyweight).

The Chippewas finished tied for seventh in the team standings with 69 points. The 69 points are the most Central Michigan has ever scored at the national tournament. The Chippewas last finished in the top 10 in 1999, when they were seventh with 67.5 points.