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SETTING THE SCENE- The Cleveland State Vikings will be back home this Saturday at 1:00 p.m. to take on Eastern Wrestling League opponent Bloomsburg in Woodling Gymnasium. CSU enters the meet 3-5 on the year and 0-2 in league action. The Huskies come into Cleveland with a #14 national ranking and an 12-2 (2-0) record.
LAST TIME OUT- The Vikings were on the road this past weekend, where they fell<= to Edinboro 3-37. Junior Ben Willeford was able to pick up one win, but unfortunately for CSU that's all the Vikings were able to get Saturday night.
Willeford, who picked up a 5-2 decision to start the match at 125 pounds, tied his 2011-12 season total with the 18th win of his 2012-13 campaign. He is now 18-12 on the year, with six of those wins coming in dual meet action.
Despite the final margin, multiple matches were close and competitive on the night, with five of the nine CSU losses coming by five points or less. That includes an overtime thriller by Riley Shaw at heavyweight vs. the 20th nationally ranked Ernest James, a match-up Shaw eventually lost 5-7.
WILLEFORD LEADING THE WAY- CSU currently has five wrestlers with double-digit wins on the year, led by junior Ben Willefordwith 18. Willeford had 18 wins all last season for the Vikings.. Following Willeford with double-digit wins on the year are Matt Donohoe (14), Michael Carlone (14), Riley Shaw (14), and Corey Carlo (11).
FRESHMAN SHAW SHINING- The Cleveland State Vikings wrestled in four opens 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 currently is tied for 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, 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.).
IN THE NATIONAL RANKINGS- Cleveland State has faced or will face three teams in their dual meet schedule that are currently ranked in the Top 25 USA Today/NWCA/AWM Coaches Poll. Bloomsburg, who CSU takes on this Saturday, is currently ranked 14th. Pittsburgh, who the Vikings met Thursday December 20th (CSU fell 8-36), is right behind them at 15th, and Edinboro, who CSU fell to last weekend 3-37 is 16th.
WINNING BY PINNING- The Vikings currently have 13 wins by pin on the season, led by three each from Michael Carlone (133) and Xavier Dye (174). In total, eight CSU wrestlers have picked up at least one pin this season.
BALANCED VIKINGS: CSU has developed this year into a very balanced squad, with athletes in each class contributing. Looking at the team's double-digit winners, that group consists of a redshirt senior (Corey Carlo), junior (Ben Willeford), redshirt sophomore (Matt Donohoe), redshirt freshman (Michael Carlone), and freshman (Riley Shaw). Redshirt freshman Xavier Dye is also looking to join that group Saturday as he currently has nine wins on the year.
STILL STARTING: Four Vikings have started every dual meet this season for the Cleveland State. These wrestlers are Ben Willeford, Michael Carlone, Matt Donohoe, and Xavier Dye.
UP NEXT- The Vikings head back on the road next week, taking on Kent State Friday at 7:05 p.m.
