Contact: Jeff Sattora
SETTING THE SCENE-The Cleveland State Vikings (3-8, 0-5 EWL) will face three teams this week, as they host a quad-meet in their final weekend of regular season competition for the 2012-13 season. The Vikings will take on Ohio (1:00 p.m.), Northern Illinois (3:00 p.m.), and Gardner-Webb (5:00 p.m.) this Sunday in the Woodling Gymnasium.
LAST TIME OUT-The Vikings last hit the mat February 10th when they hosted Clarion in Eastern Wrestling League action, falling 23-9. Despite the loss, CSU had multiple wrestlers pick up wins, with three coming away victorious individually on the day.
Nick Flannerypicked up the first victory of the day for CSU, taking a 10-6 decision win at 141 pounds. The win for Flannery was his third straight dual meet win of the season, as he also earned a 5-2 decision win vs. Bloomsburg and a 14-4 major decision win at Kent State. He is now 10-10 on the year and the sixth Viking to hit double digit wins on the season.
One of those six wrestlers with double-digit wins is Corey Carlo, and was also able to get a victory vs. Clarion. The redshirt senior picked up his 12th win of the season in a 9-2 decision win at 165 pounds. The 12 wins now pass his total of 11 from all of last season.
Freshman Riley Shaw also closed the match for CSU with a victory. He picked up his 15th win of the 2012-13 season in a 10-6 decision victory. The win for Shaw now puts him in second place on the team in wins, trailing only Ben Willeford's19 on the year.
SPECIAL SENIORS- Sunday marks the final home meet for the Vikings' senior class, consisting of Nick Anthony, Corey Carlo, Mike Mencini, and Brian Roddy Jr., as they begin the final stretch of their CSU careers.
This class of graduating seniors has been instrumental in growing and improving not only this year's squad, but also the program as a whole over their time in Cleveland. Nick Anthony, Corey Carlo, and Mike Mencinihave all had at least one top-six finish at the EWL Championships over the last three years for CSU. Their finishes were-
Nick Anthony- 6th at 197 lb. in 2011
Corey Carlo- 5th at 157 lb. in 2009 and 3rd at 165 lb. in 2012
Mike Mencini- 5th at 141 lb. in 2010
For Roddy Jr., while this is only his first year at CSU following a stellar four-year career at Northwestern, he has been an important veteran on this year's squad in a leadership role.
WILLEFORD LEADING THE WAY- CSU currently has six wrestlers with double-digit wins on the year, led by junior Ben Willefordwith 19. Willeford had 18 wins all last season for the Vikings. Following Willeford with double-digit wins on the year are Riley Shaw (15), Matt Donohoe (14), Michael Carlone (14), Corey Carlo (12), and Nick Flannery(10).
THREE RECOGNIZED BY NCAA- The Cleveland State Vikings' wrestling squad was recognized nationally last week 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 are Ben Willeford at 33rd at 125 pounds,Michael Carlone at 33rd at 133 pounds, and Riley Shawat 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.).
TOP RANKED COMPETITION-Cleveland State has faced three teams in 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 8-36), is 14th, Edinboro, who CSU fell to 3-37 on January 26th is 15th, and Bloomsburg, who CSU fell to 6-29 to on February 2nd, is currently ranked 17th.
STILL STARTING- Two Vikings have started every dual meet this season for the Cleveland State. These wrestlers are Ben Willeford (125 lb.) and Matt Donohoe(157).
UP NEXT- CSU heads to Edinboro, Pa. to participate in the Eastern Wrestling League tournament on March 9th beginning at 10:00 a.m.
