Open Three
Event: 59th Annual Ken Kraft Midlands Championships
Date/Time: Day 1 - Friday, Dec. 29 | Day 2 - Saturday, Dec. 30
Location: Hoffmann Estates, Ill. | NOW Arena
Follow: Day 1 Video | Day 2 Video | Scoring

Cleveland State Entries
125 – Ben Aranda | Nick Molchak
133 - Jake Manley
141 - No.24/23 Dylan Layton
149 - No. 33 Douglas Terry
157 - Shane Heil
165 - Tate Geiser | Daniel Patten
174 - DeAndre Nassar
197 - No. 26/33 Ben Smith
***Flo/Intermat Rankings

Last Time Out
Cleveland State toppled Clarion 25-11 in their final dual of the first half of the season on Dec. 21. The Vikings won eight of the ten matches, highlighted by a major decision victory from Dylan Layton at 141-pounds, along with DeAndre Nassar taking down No. 33 John Worthing at 174-pounds, 4-2.

About the Midlands Championships
The field is comprised of 42 teams along with a women's division for a second straight year.

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 29

• 9:30 a.m. – First Session (10 Mats) – (Championship Rounds 1 & 2, Wrestlebacks)
• 7:00 p.m. – Second Session (10 Mats) – (Quarterfinals, Wrestlebacks)

SATURDAY, DECEMBER 30

• 11:00 a.m. – Third Session (8 Mats) – (Semis, consolation, 7th place match, women's division begins)
• 6:05 p.m. – Fourth Session (4 Mats) – (1st, 3rd, 5th place matches–men's and women's divisions)
• • Awards ceremony to conclude at 9:00 p.m.
  • Midlands Hall of Fame Inductions will be before the final session

Preseason Poll
Cleveland State was chosen to finish third in the MAC for the 2023-24 season after receiving 86.5 points. Lock Haven was picked to claim its third straight title with 126.5 points, and Central Michigan was second with 119 points. 

Welcome Back, Placers
The Green and White return four placers from last season: Ben Aranda (125 Pounds), Jake Manley (133 Pounds), DeAndre Nassar (184 Pounds), and Daniel Bucknavich (285 Pounds).

The Return of the Champ
Ben Smith returns to the Cleveland State lineup after taking this past season off to focus on school. In 2022, Smith became the Vikings first-ever MAC Champion, winning at 197-pounds. This season, he will start the year as the favorite to win his second MAC title in the same weight class.

Purchase Tickets to Home Matches
Individual and season tickets to watch the Vikings are on sale now. Click here to purchase.

Up Next
Cleveland State will be off until the two-day Davidson Duals on Thursday, Jan. 11, and Friday, Jan. 12. The Vikings will face Gardner Webb and Little Rock on day one, followed by Presbyterian and Citadel on day two.