Written by: Justin Lee

Love is an indescribable feeling that's often difficult to put into words or perspective. Most of us struggle with expressing our love, as it is a challenge for us to open up with our words. That's why many of us express our love through our actions or gestures to show our appreciation for what and for whom we love.

Former Cleveland State University wrestler Riley Shaw is a fine example of this as he demonstrated love and passion for his alma mater through his actions. Now, his love begins at home with his wife, Anna, and young son, Frazier, but CSU remains close to home as one quickly gathers from his aptly-named dogs—his pit bull Vike and his retriever mix Magnus.

Shaw started wrestling at the age of eight and was a multi-sport athlete in high school, playing football and competing in the shot put and discus for his track team along with wrestling. Although he was a great high school wrestler, Shaw's focus was not always on the mat.

"If I had my pick, I would have played football in college. It didn't happen because I was too slow," Shaw said, laughing!

Though his initial dreams of playing on the gridiron didn't happen, Shaw was recruited by colleges for all three sports before eventually deciding to wrestle at Cleveland State.

"The offer was awesome, and my visit was great. Meeting Mike Carlone and the other guys, I really connected with them and felt I was at home with them."

Struggles and adversity are something that most wrestlers go through and can be very challenging to contend with. It could be said that how someone perseveres through adversity is more revealing than the struggle itself.

Riley Shaw is an embodiment of perseverance. Upon arriving at Woodling Gym in the summer of 2012, it was not all easy going for Shaw. Shaw qualified for the NCAA tournament as a freshman, but that didn't tell the whole story of his first year as a Viking.

"It was a tough year. It was tough at opens and wrestling at tournaments. I was getting my butt kicked. It was a struggle."

Sophomore year was not much different for Shaw. In fact, his performances didn't even match up to the year prior, as he failed to qualify for the NCAA tournament. Shaw credits his teammates for helping overcome his early year struggles.

"In wrestling, getting your butt kicked is a good thing. That's how you get better. I wrestled guys like Nick Anthony and Corbin Boone and those guys gave me lumps and bruises but they also helped shape the rest of my career at Cleveland State."

Going into his junior season, Shaw made a complete 180 degree turn, producing perhaps his best season as a Viking. The beginnings of the turnaround went all the way back to the summer before the season started, as Shaw changed his summer routine by going to Erik Burnett's grueling wrestling camp in Milan, Ohio.

"Erik Burnett was a huge part of developing me and getting me where I needed to be. I lived out there, we did sessions for the kids, we counseled and worked out in between throughout the whole summer. If I had to credit one thing for my success, it would have to be that summer at Erik's."

Burnett's tutelage and strategies focused on how to use mental capacity as well as strength. Shaw took these lessons into his junior year and never looked back. Shaw competed in the NCAA tournament and was voted as the department's Male Athlete of the Year by his fellow Vikings.

"I was very surprised when I won. It was humbling. It was a great acknowledgment and even more rewarding getting the award from my peers."

Shaw eventually finished his career at Cleveland State with over 100 victories, three NCAA tournament berths and two league titles while captaining the Vikings team.

Since graduating in 2016, Shaw has pursed other ventures, both physical and professional.

To stay active after wrestling, Shaw started running and eventually ran in a marathon. Through his efforts, Shaw lost a significant amount of weight. Prior to his running regimen, the former collegiate heavyweight weighed 265 pounds around the time of his graduation. In 2017, Shaw began running a 5k every day, culminating in his current weight of 220 pounds. Along with running, Shaw found himself in an unlikely situation, coaching his former teammates at CSU.

"It was a spur of a moment thing. I was happy to work with Coach Moore. I love what he's doing with the program—it was a really fun year."

Shaw was an amazing athlete, competitor, teammate and coach. However, his work ethic and competitiveness didn't end in a singlet.

"I always wanted to go to law school. Originally in high school I wanted to be a politician."

Shaw is now a defense attorney at the law firm of Tucker Ellis. Shaw finds that his time on the mat is more similar to the courtroom than one would perceive.

"They have their differences, but the principle, the work ethic, the mental toughness—that's the same and that's what drives me."

As new challenges await the Tucker Ellis lawyer, and although he doesn't miss his 6 a.m. lifts with his former strength coach Sean Wallace, Shaw's love and perseverance still remain the same for his teammates, the sport of wrestling and Cleveland State University.

"My work ethic was strengthened at CSU. The connections, the teammates, the coaches who are still dear friends—those relationships I have through Cleveland State, they are ones I have now and ones I'll have for the rest of my life. It's very special."