Contact: Jeff Sattora
Follow the Vikings on TWITTER
Follow Wrestling on TWITTER
CSU Athletics on YouTube
Become a Fan on Facebook
SETTING THE SCENE: The Cleveland State Vikings (4-10, 0-5 EWL) head to Edinboro, Pa. this Saturday to participate in the 38th edition of the EWL Championships beginning at 10:00 a.m.
CLEVELAND STATE'S PROJECTED EWL CHAMPIONSHIPS LINEUP
125- Ben Willeford
133- Michael Carlone
141- Nick Flannery
149- Mike Mencini
157- Matt Donohoe
165- Corey Carlo
174- Xavier Dye
184- Bobby Blankenship
197- Corbin Boone OR Nick Anthony
285- Riley Shaw
LAST TIME OUT: The Vikings ended their 2012-13 regular season February 24th in a home quad-meet. CSU fell to Ohio (6-37) and Northern Illinois (11-26), before taking down Gardner-Webb (18-15).
Nick Flannery led the way for CSU on the day, going a perfect 3-0, including two dominating pins. Flannery picked up pins vs. Ohio and Gardner-Webb, and took home a 10-6 decision win over Northern Illinois.
Flannery was followed in the win column by Corey Carlo and Riley Shaw with two wins each, as they each brought home victories vs. Northern Illinois and Gardner-Webb. The CSU wrestlers that picked up one win were Ben Willeford (125), Mike Carlone (133), and Corbin Boone (197).
EWL CHAMPIONSHIPS- SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
10:00am- Session I begins
20 bouts - championship round 1 - 2 mats
20 bouts - semi-finals - 2 mats
20 bouts - consolation semis - 2 mats
5:45pm-Session II begins
20 bouts - 2 mats - 3rd & 4th/5th & 6th
Parade of Champions
Hall of Fame
10 bouts - Finals - 1 mat
TICKET INFO: Tickets will be available at the door with all session adult passes available for $25 while all session senior and student passes are $15. Individual session tickets will also be available for $15 (adult) and $10 (students and seniors).
WHAT IS AT STAKE: A total of 23 wrestlers (three from 133, 149, 157, 165 and 285; two from 141, 184 and 197; and one from 125 and 174) will qualify for the NCAA Tournament from the Eastern Wrestling League via the selection system. After all of the qualifying events have concluded, the NCAA Division I Wrestling Committee will meet in-person to select the remaining 40 at-large qualifiers.
EWL TOURNAMENT FACTS: Edinboro has won or tied for first place in 12 of the last 15 EWL Tournaments including titles in 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, a tie in 2004, a win in 2003, and a string of four straight from 1998-2001. West Virginia tied for first in 2004 and won the title in 2002, while Lock Haven won in 1997, West Virginia in 1996 and Clarion won back-to-back titles in 1994 and 1995. Pitt won its first team title in 2011 and was able to repeat the first place finish last season in 2012.
WILLEFORD LEADING THE WAY: CSU currently has six wrestlers with double-digit wins on the year, led by junior Ben Willefordwith 20. Willeford had 18 wins all last season for the Vikings. Following Willeford with double-digit wins on the year are Riley Shaw (17), Michael Carlone (15), Matt Donohoe (14), Corey Carlo (14), and Nick Flannery (13).
THREE RECOGNIZED BY NCAA: The Cleveland State Vikings' wrestling squad was recognized nationally earlier this season as three Vikings were recognized as top wrestlers in their individual weight classes in the NCAA's first RPI rankings of the 2012-13 season. In order to become eligible for an RPI (rating percentage index) ranking, a wrestler must have a minimum of 17 Division I matches at any one weight class. After determining each qualified wrestler, the NCAA has noted the top 33 in each class for their RPI rankings. The CSU wrestlers recognized in the top 33 nationally for their class were Ben Willeford at 33rd at 125 pounds,Michael Carlone at 33rd at 133 pounds, and Riley Shaw at 32nd at 285 pounds.
IN THE EWL RANKINGS: Looking at the latest Eastern Wrestling League rankings, the Vikings have six wrestlers listed in the rankings, which 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.), and Riley Shaw (5th at 285 lb.).
