CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Cleveland State University wrestling team will begin a new era this weekend as it commences the 2018-19 season.
Josh Moore was named as the program's head coach during the offseason, and the first event of this season will represent the collegiate head coaching debut for the former NCAA All-American.
CSU opens the season this Saturday, Nov. 3, at the Clarion Open. It will mark the second straight season, and the fourth time in five years, that CSU has opened its season at this event. The event will begin at 9:00 a.m. Live video will be available on FloWrestling with live results on FloArena.
Senior Evan Cheek is the most accomplished returning Viking and was selected as the Eastern Wrestling League's preseason favorite at 141 pounds. He won the EWL title at 141 last year and was named Outstanding Wrestler of the Championships, becoming the first Viking in 35 years to earn that honor. He pinned two foes at the EWL meet to help qualify for the NCAA Championships for the first time.
Senior John Vaughn was slotted third in the EWL's rankings at 157 pounds. He was injured during the EWL Tournament last year but won 13 matches during the season while dropping from 165 to 157 during the season.
An offseason transfer from Eastern Michigan, redshirt senior Armando Torres was tabbed fourth in the EWL preseason listing at 133 pounds. Other returning starters for CSU are: redshirt sophomore Ryan Ford at 149 pounds, sophomore Georgio Poullas at 165, sophomore John Kelbly at 197 and Collin Kelly at heavyweight.
CSU has also added five true freshmen to its roster—Dylan Burns (133), Caleb Cass (157), Hunter Ryan (125), Ben Smith (197) and Dimitri Williams (174).
Senior John Vaughn won four matches at the Clarion Open last year, including beating a seeded opponent with a takedown late in the match. Classmate Evan Cheek picked up a trio of DI wins at this event last season.
In addition to CSU and the host Golden Eagles, the following schools are expected to send teams to the event: Bloomsburg, Gardner-Webb, Kent State, Lock Haven and Pittsburgh. In addition, individual athletes from Big Ten and Big XII schools are expected to compete.
Cleveland State will open dual action on the second weekend of November as it competes in a quad dual with Buffalo, VMI and host Bucknell.
