Cleveland State Competes in Pair of Duals This Weekend

Cleveland State Competes in Pair of Duals This Weekend

CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Cleveland State University wrestling team will split time at home and on the road this weekend with a pair of duals.

CSU begins the weekend by hosting Eastern Wrestling League foe Clarion Friday, Feb. 8, at 7:00 p.m. Live results and live video will be available through TrackWrestling. The live video for this dual will be available for free as part of an introductory offer with the service.

The Vikings will close the weekend with their road finale Sunday, Feb. 10, at Michigan State at 1:00 p.m. The dual against the Spartans can be watched on BTN Plus ($).

The Vikings nearly pulled off the upset last time out, taking the lead into the final bout, but came up on the short end of a 23-20 decision to Kent State. Three Vikings registered pins in the win.

Redshirt freshman Brady Barnett notched a first-period pin against Kent State at 149 pounds, earning his team-leading eighth pin of the season. Redshirt sophomore Nico O'Dor followed with a pin at 157 pounds to pick up his 22nd win of the season. Both Barnett and O'Dor have won three straight dual matches entering the weekend.

Redshirt sophomore Colton Carroll collected his first pin of the season against Kent State with his fall at 174 pounds. Classmate Ryan Ford added a come-from-behind, 6-5, win at 165 pounds to move to 11-4 on the season.

Redshirt senior Armando Torres continues to lead the team with 26 victories on the season and is tied with Barnett for the team lead in dual wins (8).

Clarion has a 29-16 advantage all-time against the Vikings. The Golden Eagles and Vikings have split the past four matchups, with Clarion sealing their win last year in the final bout. Among Vikings not redshirting this season, Ryan Ford and John Vaughn own dual victories in their careers against Clarion.

Clarion is 5-5 overall on the season with a 2-1 mark in EWL action as the Golden Eagles own wins over Bloomsburg and George Mason and lost to Rider. Clarion and CSU's only non-conference common opponent is Buffalo, with both squads losing to the Bulls. Sophomore Shae Bloom owns a team-leading 15 wins at 184 pounds while redshirt sophomore Greg Bulsak (197) and sophomore Max Wohlabaugh (174) both have 13 wins and are 3-0 in EWL action.

Cleveland State is 0-3 all-time against the Spartans with the most recent meeting taking place in February 2016. MSU claimed a tight, 21-17, win in that matchup while current CSU assistant coach Riley Shaw scored a major decision win at heavyweight.

Michigan State is 7-6 on the season and will host Northwestern Friday in advance of welcoming CSU. The Spartans won the Navy Classic that CSU competed in and have three common dual opponents—Bloomsburg, Buffalo and Kent State. Sophomore Rayvon Foley is 26-1 at 125 pounds and ranked as a top-10 wrestler by most publications. Redshirt freshman Cameron Caffey is 23-3 at 184 pounds and is ranked among the top 15 by multiple outlets.

Cleveland State will return home next weekend as it hosts two opponents back-to-back Saturday, Feb. 16.