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Chief wrestler Winekoff commits to EMU

  The Canton-to-Eastern Michigan University wrestling pipeline grew considerably longer and stronger last week.

  Chief senior grappler Brent Winekoff, a three-time state-qualifier heading into this season, verbally committed to wrestle for the Eagles' wrestling program on Oct. 6.

  Winekoff, who advanced to the Division 1 individual semifinals last spring, will join former Chief state champion Corey Phillips at EMU.

  "There aren't that many D1 wrestling programs out there, so to be able to get a scholarship tells you what kind of wrestler Brent is," said Canton coach Cory Mancuso, who wrestled for the Eagles from 2000-2004.

  Winekoff is very familiar with EMU's wrestling program as he regularly attends a twice-a-week practice camp at the school during the off-season.

  Winekoff's father, Carl, who is an assistant coach at Canton, also wrestled for the Eagles.

  "I chose Eastern for a number of reasons," said Winekoff, who will wrestle at 152 and 160 pounds for the Chiefs this winter. "One reason was because Corey (Phillips) goes there. He helped me a lot when we wrestled together at Canton.

  "Another reason  is because I like the coaches a lot and I really liked it when I went there on a visit."

  Winekoff said the early plans call for him to red-shirt his freshman year.

  "After that," he said, "I feel, personally, that I can break into the starting line-up."

  Winekoff had a stellar summer on the mats. He went 15-0 at the Junior Olympics and 12-2 at the Disney Duals, where he earned All-American status.

  Mancuso envisions a success-filled senior season for Winekoff.

  "I expect him to go undefeated and win a state title -- he's definitely capable of doing that," he said.

  Winekoff isn't sure what he's going to major in yet at Eastern, but his long-term plans are as firm as one of his wrestling holds.

  "I eventually want to go to law school," he said. "My brother Carl is in law school right now, so I've learned a lot about what goes into it from him."

Ed Wright can be reached at info@plymouthcantonsports.com or (734) 453-1980.