Courtesy: CMU Athletic Communications

CMU's Ben Bennett is the 2012 MAC Wrestler of the Year, while Tom Borrelli claims the MAC Coach of the Year honor for a record 12th time.

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MOUNT PLEASANT - Central Michigan head wrestling coach Tom Borrelli and junior Ben Bennett have claimed two of the Mid-American Conference's three postseason awards.

Borrelli was named MAC Coach of the Year for a conference record 12th time, while Bennett was recognized as the MAC Wrestler of the Year. The awards were selected by a vote of the conference's six head wrestling coaches.

Despite using a lineup that included three true freshmen and six individuals appearing at their first conference tournament, Borrelli led the Chippewas to their 11th straight MAC Championships title in 2012. It was the program's 14th conference tournament team title in the last 15 years.

Seven Chippewas advanced to the NCAA Championships, where CMU finished 24th in a 70-team field. Among CMU's 14 dual meet victories this season was Borrelli's 300th career win; he is now 260-109-7 in 21 seasons at CMU and 306-134-8 in 26 seasons as a collegiate head coach.

Bennett earns the MAC Wrestler of the Year honor following a season in which he won his third straight individual MAC title and secured his third consecutive All-America honor.

Bennett was 34-6 overall in 2011-12, setting a new career high for victories, and finished sixth at 184 pounds at the NCAA Championships to earn All-America recognition. Twenty-seven of his 34 victories scored bonus points for the Chippewas.

Bennett is just the third three-time Division I All-American in CMU history and the fifth overall. He is the 10th Chippewa to win three individual MAC titles, and he is just the fifth different Chippewa to be named MAC Wrestler of the Year.

CMU was 14-9 overall in dual meets before claiming its 11th straight conference tournament championship in 2012. Five Chippewas were crowned individual MAC champions: sophomore Joe Roth (125 pounds), true freshman Zach Horan (133 pounds), junior Donnie Corby (157 pounds), true freshman Mike Ottinger (165 pounds) and junior Ben Bennett (184 pounds). Bennett's All-America finish marked the 10th straight season CMU produced at least one All-American.