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 George Mason University for the Patriot Classic. CSU will first take on Brown University at 4:00 p.m. before then taking on the home team George Mason at 7:00 p.m. Live coverage can be found on gomason.com during the event.
LAST TIME OUT- CSU spent last weekend off, and last competed January 1st and 2nd at the Southern Scuffle held at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. Junior Ben Willeford led the way for the Vikings as he was the only CSU wrestler to pick up multiple wins with a 3-2 record at the Scuffle. Other Cleveland State wrestlers that picked up wins at Chattanooga were Michael Carlone (133 lb.), Nick Flannery (141), Matt Donohoe (157), Corey Carlo (165), Xavier Dye (174), and Corbin Boone(184).
FRESHMAN SHAW SHINING- The Cleveland State Vikings have wrestled in four opens so far this season, and freshman Riley Shaw has led the way and performed well in each. Shaw leads the Viking with placing in the top six in his weight class at three of the four 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 fourth place finish at the CSU Open this past weekend. Shaw also currently is second on the team with 12 wins on the year, only trailing Ben Willefordwho has 14.
IN THE ATLANTIC REGION RANKINGS- According to the latest Atlantic Region Wrestling Rankings, consisting of both the Eastern and Southern regions of the United States, the Cleveland State Vikings have six wrestlers ranked. In order of weight class they include Ben Willeford at 14th (125 lb.), Mike Carlone at 19th (133), Matt Donohoe at 22nd (157), Corey Carlo at 25th (165), Xavier Dye at 25th (174), and Riley Shawat 25th (HWT).
IN THE EWL RANKINGS- Looking at the latest league rankings in the Eastern Wrestling League, the Vikings have 10 wrestlers listed in the 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 (3rd at 125 lb.),Michael Carlone (HM at 133 lb.), Nick Flannery (HM at 141 lb.), Mike Mencini (HM at 149 lb.), Matt Donohoe (4th at 157 lb.), Corey Carlo (4th at 165 lb.), Xavier Dye (3rd 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 met Thursday December 20th (CSU fell 36-8), is currently ranked 13th in the poll. Edinboro, who CSU takes on January 26th, is currently ranked tied for 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.
WILLEFORD LEADING THE WAY- CSU currently has four wrestlers with double-digit wins on the year, led by junior Ben Willefordwith 14. Willeford had 18 wins all last season, and is well ahead of that pace. The junior is coming off leading the Vikings with three wins at one of the nation's best in-season tournaments at the Southern Scuffle.
UP NEXT- The Vikings will be off until next weekend when the team will host its first home dual meet of the season when they take on Lock Haven Friday the 18th at 6:00 p.m.
