CLEVELAND, Ohio – The Cleveland State University wrestling team will resume dual action against a trio of foes this Friday, Jan. 10.
The Vikings will begin the day with an interdivision MAC matchup against Clarion at 11:00 a.m. CSU will then have non-conference matchups against California Baptist (1:00 p.m.) and host VMI (3:00 p.m.). The dual against the Keydets will be the final road non-league matchup of the season. The matchup with VMI will also have live video available by clicking here.
Cleveland State will remain on the road after having competed at the Southern Scuffle to begin the New Year. Redshirt senior Evan Cheek tallied four wins in the event to place seventh at 141 pounds and was one of nine total Vikings to win a match during the event. Cheek owns a team-leading 23 wins, 13 of which have been of the bonus-point variety.
Prior to the Scuffle, Cleveland State won its MAC home opener, 22-14, as the Vikings won the final three bouts to come from behind against George Mason. In doing so, CSU moved to 4-0 for the first time in 16 years while also moving to 2-0 in conference action.
Clarion has won three straight duals after starting the year 0-3, including a 30-13 win over SIU Edwardsville this past Tuesday. Clarion, who defeated Lock Haven for the first time in six seasons in December, lost their first two duals by a combined three points before falling to nationally ranked Purdue. Redshirt junior Greg Bulsak (197) and redshirt senior Brock Zacherl (149) are both well inside the top 20 in national rankings and own 13 and 11 wins on the season, respectively.
Clarion has a 30-16 advantage in the all-time series against the Vikings and has won three of the past five meetings. CSU's last win in the series came in the 2015-16 campaign. Brady Barnett, Cameron Lathem and Sam Matzek won bouts in the dual with Clarion last season while Cheek has a pair of wins in his career in dual action against the Golden Eagles.
California Baptist is 2-2 on the season and will compete against at Davidson Thursday before heading to VMI. The Lancers own wins over Gardner-Webb and Life Pacific and suffered losses to Drexel and Navy. Redshirt sophomore AJ Raya (149) and redshirt junior Zach Schrader (285) are tied for the team lead with 13 wins each.
Cleveland State will be facing California Baptist in dual competition for the first time after the Lancers began their program in 2008-09.
VMI owns a 3-4 record on the season with wins against Davidson, LIU Post and Hofstra. The Keydets last competed in the Southern Scuffle where the team took 18th place and redshirt senior Neal Richards finished fifth at 174 pounds. Richards tops the team with 21 wins while freshman Job Chishko has 16 wins at 149 pounds.
Cleveland State is 3-0 all-time against VMI after claiming a 35-8 victory over the Keydets last season. Barnett, Collin Kelly, Lathem, Nico O'Dor and Ben Smith all won bouts in last year's dual against VMI. Friday's dual will be the first meeting between the teams that does not take place at a neutral site.
Cleveland State will return home for the first time this decade next Saturday, Jan. 18, when it hosts Ohio.