Contact: Jeff Sattora
SETTING THE SCENE- The Cleveland State Vikings will be home for a dual meet for the first time this season, as the team will have two home matches on the weekend. CSU will first take on Lock Haven in Eastern Wrestling League action Friday at 6:00 p.m., before then taking on Chattanooga Sunday at 1:00 p.m. in non-league action.
LAST TIME OUT- CSU spent last weekend on the road at the Patriot Classic at George Mason, where the team split two matches. The Vikings first fell to Brown 12-29, before then taking down George Mason 20-15. Four CSU wrestlers were able to lead the way for the Vikings with perfect 2-0 records. Those wrestlers were Ben Willeford (125 lb.), Corey Carlo (165), Xavier Dye (174), and Riley Shaw (285).
WILLEFORD LEADING THE WAY- CSU currently has five wrestlers with double-digit wins on the year, led by junior Ben Willeford with 16. Willeford had 18 wins all last season, and is well ahead of that pace. The junior is coming off of a perfect performance at the Patriot Classic at George Mason last Friday, finishing with a 2-0 record.
FRESHMAN SHAW SHINING- The Cleveland State Vikings have wrestled in four opens so far this season, and freshman Riley Shaw has led the way and performed well in each. Shaw leads the Vikings placing in the top six in his weight class at three of the four events. The freshman began his college wrestling career with a third place finish at the Eastern Michigan Open, following that with a fourth place finish at the Navy Classic, also earning a fourth place finish at the CSU Open. Shaw also currently is second on the team with 14 wins on the year, behind only Willeford.
IN THE ATLANTIC REGION RANKINGS- According to the latest Atlantic Region Wrestling Rankings, consisting of both the Eastern and Southern regions of the United States, the Cleveland State Vikings have four wrestlers ranked. In order of weight class they include Ben Willeford at 24th (125 lb.), Mike Carlone at 22nd (133), Matt Donohoe at 25th (157), and Riley Shaw at 25th (HWT).
IN THE EWL RANKINGS- Looking at the latest Eastern Wrestling League rankings, the Vikings have six wrestlers listed in the rankings. The rankings list the top five wrestlers in each class. The CSU individuals in the rankings include: Ben Willeford (2nd at 125 lb.), Michael Carlone (5th at 133 lb.), Matt Donohoe (5th at 157 lb.), Corey Carlo (4th at 165 lb.), Xavier Dye (4th at 174 lb.), andRiley Shaw (4th at 285 lb.).
IN THE NATIONAL RANKINGS- Cleveland State will face two teams on their dual meet schedule that are currently ranked in the Top 25 USA Today/NWCA/AWM Coaches Poll. Pittsburgh, who the Vikings met Thursday December 20th (CSU fell 36-8), is currently ranked 17th in the poll. Edinboro, who CSU takes on January 26th, is currently ranked tied for 16th. Both of those dual meets are on the road.
UP NEXT- The Vikings will be on the road next weekend when they head to Edinboro to take on the Fighting Scots next Saturday, January 26th, at 7:00 p.m.
