Contact: Jeff Sattora
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SETTING THE SCENE
The Cleveland State Vikings will be on the road this week as they head to the University of Pittsburgh to take on the Panthers in Eastern Wrestling League action Thursday at 7:00 p.m.
LAST TIME OUT
CSU spent last weekend hosting the CSU Open at Woodling Gymnasium. Freshman Riley Shaw led the way for the Vikings on the weekend in the heavyweight class with a 4-2 record and fourth place finish in his weight class. Shaw was one of six Cleveland State wrestlers to pick up multiple wins on the weekend. Matt Donohoe led the other multiple winners with a 3-2 record at 157 pounds, with Ben Willeford going 2-2 at 125 pounds, Daniel King 2-2 at 141 pounds, Corey Carlo 2-2 at 165 pounds, and Nick Anthony 2-2 at 197 pounds for CSU.
FRESHMAN SHAW SHINING
The Cleveland State Vikings have wrestled in three Opens so far this young season, and freshman Riley Shaw has led the way and performed well in each. Shaw is the only Viking to place in the top six in his weight class at all three events. The freshman began his college wrestling career with a third place finish at the Eastern Michigan Open, following that with a fourth place finish at the Navy Classic, and concluding with his finish at the CSU Open this past weekend. Shaw also currently leads the team with 12 wins on the year.
IN THE RANKINGS
Heading into the CSU Open, the Vikings have 10 wrestlers ranked in the Eastern Wrestling League's individual rankings. The rankings list the top four wrestlers in each class, along with two honorable mention wrestlers. CSU currently has one individual represented in each class. The CSU individuals in the rankings include: Ben Willeford (third at 125 lb.), Mike Carlone (HM at 133 lb.),Nick Flannery (HM at 141 lb.), Mike Mencini (HM at 149 lb.), Matt Donohoe (fourth at 157 lb.), Xavier Dye (fourth at 165 lb.), Corey Carlo (third at 174 lb.), Bobby Blankenship (HM at 184 lb.), Nick Anthony (HM at 197 lb.), and Riley Shaw (HM at 285 lb.).
IN THE NATIONAL RANKINGS
Cleveland State will face two teams on their dual meet schedule that are currently ranked in the Top 25 USA Today/NWCA/AWM Coaches Poll. Pittsburgh, who the Vikings face next Thursday December 20th, is currently ranked 13th in the poll. Edinboro, who CSU takes on January 26th, is currently ranked 18th. Both of those dual meets are on the road. The Vikings will also take on one team in the "others receiving votes" category in Bloomsburg. CSU will face the Huskies February 2nd at 1:00 p.m. at home in the Woodling Gym.
YOUTH TOURNAMENT
On Saturday (Jan. 5), the Vikings will be hosting Cleveland State's OAC Seeding and State Ranking Youth Tournament. Wrestling begins at 9:00 a.m., with the cost being $20 per wrestler. Check csuvikings.com or contact Assistant Coach Josh Zupancic at (216) 870-7521 or at j.zupancic00@csuohio.edu for more information.
UP NEXT
The Vikings will be off until the New Year when the team heads down to Chattanooga, Tenn. for the Southern Scuffle tournament. Four wrestlers currently on the Vikings' roster picked up wins last season at the Southern Scuffle.
THE HEAD COACH
Ben Stehura
(Lock Haven '00)
AT CSU: 16-58-0
(Fifth year)
OVERALL: 42-108-1
(Ninth year)
THE STEHURA FILE
Ben Stehura is in his fifth season as the head coach of the Vikings' wrestling program, and has recruited a talented group of young wrestlers that expect to make noise in the Eastern Wrestling League this year. Stehura has a history of developing young talent, as he has coached seven NCAA qualifiers, three NCAA All-Americans and two Olympic alternates over the past seven years. Stehura joined CSU in 2008 after building a successful program at Limestone in Gaffney, S.C. The first head coach in Limestone's history, Stehura took the team from three wins his first year to 13 in 2007-2008. Stehura will use his experience with coaching a young program to lead the Vikings during the 2012-13 season.
