Davidson Duals
Match 6: Cleveland State (1-4) vs. Gardner Webb (2-3) | Thursday, Jan. 11 | 11:00 AM
Match 7: Cleveland State (1-4) vs. Little Rock (5-4) | Thursday, Jan. 11 | 3:00 PM
Match 8: Cleveland State (1-4) vs. Presbyterian (1-5) | Friday, Jan. 12 | 2:00 PM
Match 9: Cleveland State (1-4) vs. Citadel (7-1) | Friday, Jan. 12 | 4:00 PM
Location: Davidson, N.C. | John M. Belk Arena
Follow: Video | Scoring

Cleveland State Projected Lineup
125: Ben Aranda (5-5)/Nick Molchak (6-9)
133: Canyon Wells (3-6)
141: Dylan Layton (9-5)/Connor Saylor (3-6)
149: Douglas Terry (8-5)
157: Shane Heil (8-10)/Nick Abounader (2-4)
165: Tate Geiser (12-9)/Daniel Patten (3-8)
174: DeAndre Nassar (4-4)/Ronald Dimmerling (1-9)
184: Joey Lyons (2-9)
197: Ben Smith (10-3)
285: Daniel Bucknavich (11-2)/Mason Cover (5-4)

Last Time Out
The Vikings concluded the two-day 59th Annual Ken Kraft Midland Championships with two placers. Dylan Layton (141 Pounds) and Tate Geiser (165 Pounds) each finished eighth in their respective weight classes. All nine Vikings that competed at the event won at least one match.

Vikings in the Rankings
Daniel Bucknavich (285 Pounds) – No. 23 FloSports | No. 25 Intermat | No. 20 TCWR
Ben Smith (197 Pounds) – No. 28 FloSports | No. 25 Intermat | No. 27 TCWR

About Gardner Webb
The Runnin' Bulldogs enter their first match of the Davidson Duals with a 2-3 overall record. Gardner Webb last competed on Jan. 6, falling on the road to Virginia, 22-19. This will be the second match between these two teams, with Gardner Webb winning back in 2016, 22-9.

About Little Rock
The Trojans hold a 5-4 overall record and will take on Davidson before facing the Vikings. Little Rock last competed at the Southern Scuffle on Jan. 2, finishing with three placers. Joseph Bianchi (165 Pounds), and Nasir Bailey (133 Pounds) each placed third, while Josiah Hill stood on the podium in back-to-back years. Five Trojans are currently ranked: Nasir Bailey (8/133), Matt Bianchi (24/157), Joseph Bianchi (28/165), Tyler Brennan (29/174), and Stephen Little (9/197). This will be the first-ever meeting between these two teams.

About Presbyterian
The Blue Hose are 1-5 overall and will face Little Rock before taking on the Green and White. Last time out, Presbyterian competed at the F&M open on Jan. 5. Nathan Carnes led the way with four victories at heavyweight, while Ryan Luna (141 Pounds) and Michael Ramirez (165 Pounds) each won two matches. This will be the first-ever meeting between these two teams.

About Citadel
The Bulldogs are 7-1 overall and will battle Brown before taking on Cleveland State. Citadel last competed at the Southern Scuffle on Jan. 2, where Jacob Silka compiled a 5-2 record at 141-pounds, placing him in seventh. This will be the first-ever meeting between these two teams.

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 host its first dual match of the year at home on Friday, Jan. 19, against Northern Illinois in a MAC match at 7 p.m.