Contact: Jeff Sattora
SETTING THE SCENE- The Cleveland State Vikings will be home Saturday for the first time this season as they host the Cleveland State Open beginning at 9:00 a.m. in Woodling Gymnasium. This will be the eighth consecutive year that the Vikings have hosted an open.
LAST TIME OUT- The Vikings have been off from competition for just over two weeks, with the team last hitting the mat November 30th at Eastern Michigan against the Eagles. CSU fell in a hard fought match to the Eagles 15-21 on the road. Four Vikings who were able to pick up wins, including Mike Carlone (133 lb.), Nick Flannery (141 lb.), Mike Mencini (149 lb.), and Xavier Dye(174 lb.).
RECAPPING THE 2011 CSU OPEN- The Vikings had four wrestlers place in the top six in their weight class at the 2011 CSU Open, led by a 4-0 day and a first place title from Ben Willeford at 125 pounds. At 133 pounds Nick Flannery placed fourth for CSU, with Josh Palivoda and Koort Leyrer also making the fifth/sixth place rounds for the CSU in their respective weight classes. Championship winners on the day included: Cleveland State's Ben Willeford (125 lb.), Central Michigan's Christian Cullinan (133 lb.), Old Dominion's Justin LaValle (141 lb.), Cornell's Chris Villalonga (149 lb.), Notre Dame's Jake Patacsil (157 lb.), Finger Lake's Craig Scott (165 lb.), Pittsburgh's Nick Bonaccorsi (174 lb.), Kent State's Casey Newburg (184 lb.), Kent State's Ryan Buckner (197 lb.), and Notre Dame's Orlando Scales (285 lb.).
IN THE RANKINGS- Heading into the CSU Open, the Vikings have 10 wrestlers ranked in the Eastern Wrestling League's individual rankings. The rankings list the top four wrestlers in each class, along with two honorable mention wrestlers. CSU currently has one individual represented in each class. The CSU individuals in the rankings include: Ben Willeford (fourth at 125 lb.), Mike Carlone (HM at 133 lb.), Nick Flannery (HM at 141 lb.), Mike Mencini (HM at 149 lb.), Matt Donohoe (fourth at 157 lb.), Xavier Dye (fourth at 165 lb.), Corey Carlo (third at 174 lb.), Bobby Blankenship (HM at 184 lb.), Nick Anthony (HM at 197 lb.), and Riley Shaw (HM 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 face next Thursday December 20th, is currently ranked 15th in the poll. Edinboro, who CSU takes on January 26th, is currently ranked 20th. Both of those dual meets are on the road.
IN THE MID MAJOR RANKINGS- Looking at the latest NWMA Division I Mid-Major Poll the Cleveland State Vikings currently sit in the 23rd spot. On the Vikings' schedule the team will face four others who are currently ranked in the latest Mid-Major poll: Edinboro (seventh), Bloomsburg (15th), Clarion (16th), and Lock Haven (22nd).
MIDDLE SCHOOL TOURNAMENT- On Sunday (Dec. 16), the Vikings will be hosting a middle school tournament at Woodling Gymnasium. Wrestling begins at 9:00 a.m. Contact Assistant Coach Josh Zupancic at (216) 870-7521 or at j.zupancic00@csuohio.edu for more information.
UP NEXT- The Vikings will compete again as a team next Thursday when the group heads to Pittsburgh to take on the Panthers at 7:00 p.m. in Eastern Wrestling League action.
THE HEAD COACH
Ben Stehura (Lock Haven '00)
AT CSU: 16-58-0 (Fifth year)
OVERALL: 42-108-1 (Ninth year)
THE STEHURA FILE: Ben Stehura is in his fifth season as the head coach of the Vikings' wrestling program, and has recruited a talented group of young wrestlers that expect to make noise in the Eastern Wrestling League this year. Stehura has a history of developing young talent, as he has coached seven NCAA qualifiers, three NCAA All-Americans and two Olympic alternates over the past seven years. Stehura joined CSU in 2008 after building a successful program at Limestone in Gaffney, S.C. The first head coach in Limestone's history, Stehura took the team from three wins his first year to 13 in 2007-2008. Stehura will use his experience with coaching a young program to lead the Vikings during the 2012-13 season.
