December 7, 2000
In their first Eastern Wrestling League (EWL) dual of the year, the Cleveland State wrestlers fell to Edinboro, 32-9. "I always want to win, but Edinboro is the best team in the conference," said Head Coach Jack Effner. "This is my third year here, and this is the best we've wrestled against them, we're in every match now."
In the 125 lb. match, sophomore Co-Captain Rocco Mansueto used three takedowns to beat Charlie Soto, 8-2. Mansueto moves to 2-0 on the season in dual matches. In the next match junior Co-Captain Nick Boucher (133 lbs.) pinned Jacob Grey 1:04 into the second period. It was also Boucher's second win in dual matches. The Vikings started five freshmen in the contest, all of whom gained experience against the Fighting Scots. Anthony Coleman went against the nation's 14th ranked 149 pounder, Ryan Shapert. After a scoreless first period, Shapert used two takedowns and backpoints to win, 9-0. In perhaps the closest match of the night, Jason Effner (157 lbs.) battled the nation's 8th ranked wrestler, Shaun Shapert. Shapert managed only a takedown, an escape and riding time to win, 4-0. In the 174 lb. match, Joe Phillips wrestled the 2nd ranked wrestler in the nation, Josh Koscheck. Koscheck took advantage of Phillip's youth, pinning him in 1:42. "We took a young group, and losing to a team that's in the top 15 in the nation is just part of our progress," commented Effner. "It may not look good on paper, but wrestling Edinboro makes us better."
The Viking grapplers fall to 1-1 in dual matches this season and 0-1 in the EWL. The Vikes head to Evanston, Illinois for the Midlands Invitational or Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania for the Wilkes Open next. On January 3 CSU will host its first home match against EWL rival Clarion.
