Cheek Advances to Day Two of Southern Scuffle

Cheek Advances to Day Two of Southern Scuffle

Photo courtesy of Sam Janicki

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. - Redshirt senior Evan Cheek of the Cleveland State University wrestling team advanced to the second day of the Southern Scuffle, presented by Compound Sportswear, as the opening day of the competition took place Wednesday at Chattanooga's McKenzie Arena.

Cheek earned the sixth seed in the event at 141 pounds and drew a bye in the opening round. He then dispatched of his opponent from Drexel by a 15-1 margin, twice earning four-point near falls. Cheek then took down a conference foe in his next bout, posting takedowns early and late in the match to claim a 5-2 victory.

Cheek dropped his quarterfinal bout to the third seed. He will face an opponent from Oregon State in his first consolation bout Thursday as he seeks to place in the event in the second straight year he has competed in it.

Eight other Vikings won matches during the opening day of the event Wednesday.

Redshirt senior Sam Matzek notched a first-period pin over his opponent from Navy at 149 pounds in his first consolation bout.

Senior Collin Kelly had a great start to the event by defeating the sixth seed in the heavyweight class by a 4-1 margin. However, he then suffered a cruel exit as he lost in sudden victory in his next bout before being eliminated via a one-point loss.

Redshirt senior Justin Patrick claimed a major decision victory over an Atlantic Coast Conference opponent at 133 pounds in his first consolation bout. However, he was then eliminated by one point in a bout in which he had the lead in the final minute.

True freshman DeAndre Nassar had a win at 184 pounds to start the tournament. After coming up short against the top seed in his next bout, he was eliminated with a loss in a bout that went to two tiebreaker periods.

Redshirt junior Nico O'Dor claimed a win at 157 pounds while his two losses were by a combined three points.

Redshirt freshman Caleb Cass (157), redshirt sophomore John Kelbly (285) and sophomore Ben Smith (197) also each added a win for the Vikings Wednesday.

Cheek will continue action in the event Thursday with the competition set to resume at 10:00 a.m.

CSU Results at the Southern Scuffle

125
First Round: Logan Heil (CSU) - bye
Second Round: Malcolm Robinson (Rutgers) over Heil (CSU) - 5-3 dec.
Consolation First Round: Carson Smith (Appalachian State) over Heil (CSU) - 8-6 dec.

133
First Round: No. 4 Chance Rich (Cal State Bakersfield) over Cameron Lathem (CSU) - Fall 6:34
First Round: Justin Patrick (CSU) - bye
Second Round: No. 2 Cam Sykora (North Dakota State) over Patrick (CSU) - 16-1 TF 4:14
Consolation First Round: Gabe Hixenbaugh (Campbell) over Lathem (CSU) - 10-3 dec.
Consolation Second Round: Patrick (CSU) over Drake Doolittle (Duke) - 11-1 MD
Consolation Third Round: Ramazan Attasauov (Iowa State) over Patrick (CSU) - 9-8 dec.

141
First Round: No. 6 Evan Cheek (CSU) - bye
Second Round: No. 6 Cheek (CSU) over Julian Flores (Drexel) - 15-1 MD
Third Round: No. 6 Cheek (CSU) over Pete Lipari (Rider) - 5-2 dec.
Quarterfinals: No. 3 Real Woods (Stanford) over No. 6 Cheek (CSU) - 12-3 MD

149
First Round: Jaden Abas (Stanford) over Sam Matzek (CSU) - 8-1 dec.
Consolation First Round: Matzek (CSU) over Jared Arlett (Navy) - Fall 2:47
Consolation Second Round: Brevin Balmaceda (Oklahoma State) over Matzek (CSU) - 10-5 dec.

157
First Round: Caleb Cass (CSU) - bye
First Round: No. 3 Matt Zovistoski (Appalachian State) over Nico O'Dor (CSU) - 2-0 dec.
Second Round: Ethan Woods (Stanford) over Cass (CSU) - 6-3 dec.
Consolation First Round: Cass (CSU) over Benny Baker (Finger Lakes) - DQW
Consolation First Round: O'Dor (CSU) over Wilder Wichman (Thomas More) - 2-1 SV
Consolation Second Round: Trey Brisker (Air Force) over Cass (CSU) - 8-3 dec.
Consolation Second Round: Scout Skidgel (Navy) over O'Dor (CSU) - 3-2 dec.

165
First Round: Riley Smucker (CSU) - bye
Second Round: Dazjon Castro (The Citadel) over Smucker (CSU) - 7-3 dec.
Consolation First Round: Smucker (CSU) - bye
Consolation Second Round: Austin Bell (Lock Haven) over Smucker (CSU) - 6-4 dec.

174
First Round: Hunter Fortner (Chattanooga) over Chase Archangelo (CSU) - 3-2 dec.
Consolation First Round: Jared Siegrist (Lock Haven) over Archangelo (CSU) - 13-2 MD

184
First Round: DeAndre Nassar (CSU) over Julian Gorring (Appalachian State) - 3-2 dec.
Second Round: No. 1 Trent Hidlay (N.C. State) over Nassar (CSU) - 18-5 MD
Consolation Second Round: TJ Pottinger (North Dakota State) over Nassar (CSU) - 3-1 TB-2

197
First Round: Ben Smith (CSU) - bye
Second Round: Smith (CSU) over Logan Andrew (Chattanooga) - 7-3 dec.
Third Round: No. 3 Nick Reenan (N.C. State) over Smith (CSU) - 13-5 MD
Consolation Third Round: Joel Shapiro (Iowa State) over Smith (CSU) - 8-5 dec.

285
First Round: John Kelbly (CSU) over Jarrod Snyder (Cal State Bakersfield) - 6-5 dec.
First Round: Collin Kelly (CSU) over No. 6 Chris Beck (VMI) - 4-1 dec.
Second Round: Tyrie Houghton (N.C. State) over Kelbly (CSU) - 9-5 dec.
Second Round: Jamarcus Grant (Oregon State) over Kelly (CSU) - 3-1 SV
Consolation Second Round: No. 6 Beck (VMI) over Kelbly (CSU) - 6-2 dec.
Consolation Second Round: Snyder (Cal State Bakersfield) over Kelly (CSU) - 2-1 dec.