CLEVELAND, Ohio – Redshirt senior Evan Cheek of the Cleveland State University wrestling team surged up the national rankings released this week.
Cheek moved up five spots in Intermat's weekly rankings and now sits 14th in the organization's latest weekly release. He is the second-highest ranked student-athlete at his weight that does not hail from a school in a Power Five conference. Cheek also sits 17th in Wrestling Insider Newsmagazine's latest list.
The veteran Viking surged after producing a big win in the showcase match of Cleveland State's dual with Ohio this past weekend.
Wrestling against Ohio's Shakur Laney, Cheek claimed a 10-3 victory over his in-state opponent to notch his 27th win of the season. Cheek secured a takedown late in the second period and went on to claim four near-fall points, opening up a 7-0 lead after five minutes. He added one more takedown in the final frame to polish off the win. Laney had entered the match inside the top 20 in multiple rankings, including being listed 14th by The Open Mat.
Cheek now sits at 27-3 this season and is a perfect 6-0 in dual bouts. He owns eight pins and 16 total bonus-point victories. His 27 victories have already tied his previous career high that he set during the 2016-17 season.
Cheek won the Eastern Wrestling League title at 141 pounds two years ago and was named Outstanding Wrestler of the EWL Championships. He then redshirted during the 2018-19 season.