KSU Chine reaches milestone

In his fifth year as a Kent State wrestler, Eric Chine from Austintown is hoping to win his first Mid-American Conference championship and qualify for the first time to the NCAA Division I Championships.

These two possible achievements, after placing third at the MAC meet the previous two years, would be great toppings to Chine’s already outstanding career at both the 174- and 184-pound weight classes.

He has compiled a 101-48 career record that has made him only the eighth KSU wrestler ever to surpass the 100-win mark.

But before Chine makes his MAC title bid March 7-8 at Ypsilanti, Mich., for a chance to qualify for the NCAA Division I championships March 19 in St. Louis, he has three more regular-season matchups on tap starting tonight in the home final against Ohio University at the M.A.C. Center at 7 with the league lead at stake.

The Golden Flashes and Bobcats share first place with Central Michigan with 2-0 records.

However, tonight’s event will be more than just a key MAC battle, it also will be a night for recognition for Chine and his five senior teammates who will be honored for their outstanding careers.

The six seniors were the first recruits by coach Jim Andrassy, and have combined for a individual-match record of 438-253 (63.4 percent) and a team record of 53-16-1 (76.8).

The other seniors are Jermail Porter (285), 23-1 and ranked No. 3 in the nation; Drew Lashaway (141), 24-5, ranked No. 11 in the nation and a four-year starter; Michael Blackwell (197), Clint Sponseller (149) and Clayton Stark (141).

Andrassy has guided KSU to a 10-4 record this season and a No. 16 ranking in the nation.

Chine is 17-9 and is No. 23 in the nation.

After tonight, KSU has two more regular-season matchups at Eastern Michigan on Feb. 15 and at Central Michigan Feb. 19 before competing in the MAC Championships.

Chine, in his third year as a starter, has made steady improvement on the KSU team.

Last year as a junior, he had a 31-12 record and placed third at the MAC Championships.

The year before, Chine enjoyed a breakout year as a starter at 184 and placed third in his weight class at the MAC Championships. He led the team with 29 wins (29-12 record) which included five major decisions and a technical fall.

In 2005-06, he posted a 13-8 record with one pin and two major decisions at 174 pounds.

In 2004-05, he was redshirted but was named the team’s Newcomer of the Year with an 11-7 overall record unattached at open events. He was 7-6 at 174 pounds.

While at Fitch High, Chine was coached by Brett Powell and Jeremy Gondel, and was a three-time state qualifier. He placed fifth at state at 171 pounds as a junior.

Chine also was a three-time All-Eastern Ohio Wrestling League selection as a freshman, sophomore and junior, and made the All-Federal League team as a senior.

For his career at Fitch, he had a 132-43 record with a school-record 524 takedowns.

Chine is the son of Jeffrey and Cindy Chine, and is majoring in sports management.

Also on the KSU team is Ross Tice (157), a redshirt freshman from Brookfield High.

While at Brookfield, Tice compiled a 155-32 record, winning more than 30 duals every season. He was a state qualifier his final three seasons, gaining runner-up as a senior and placing seventh as a junior.

Tice also was named to the Honor Roll, Beta Club and Art Student of the Year.

The son of Richard and Tracy Tice, Ross is majoring in education.

XJohn Kovach covers colleges for The Vindicator. E-mail him at kovach@vindy.com.