Contact: Jeff Sattora
Follow the Vikings on TWITTER
Follow Wrestling on TWITTER
CSU Athletics on YouTube
Become a Fan on Facebook
SETTING THE SCENE: For the first time since 2009 the Cleveland State Vikings will be represented at the NCAA Wrestling Championships, as junior Ben Willeford (125 lb.) and freshman Riley Shaw(285 lb.) both qualified following performances at the EWL Championships March 9th. The two Vikings will head to Des Moines, Iowa this week for the Championship from this Thursday-Saturday, March 21st through the 23rd. The action will begin at 11:00 a.m. CT Thursday morning.
SCHEDULE FOR NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS:
Day 1
11:00 a.m.- Session 1 (Eight Mats - Pigtails and First-Round)
6:30 p.m.- Session 2 (Eight Mats - Preliminaries: Wrestleback Preliminaries, Wrestleback First Round; Championship
Round: Second Round, Consolation Round)
Day 2
10:00 a.m.- Session 3 (Eight Mats - Quarterfinals and Wrestlebacks) 6:30 p.m.- Session 4 (Six Mats - Semifinals and Wrestlebacks)
Day 3
10:00 a.m.-Session 5 (Three Mats - Wrestleback Semifinals and 3rd-8th Medal Rounds)
7:00 p.m.- Session 6 (One Mat - Finals and Awards Ceremony)
*All times Central Time Zone
LAST TIME OUT: The Vikings ended the 2012-13 team season March 9th at the EWL Championships in Edinboro, Pa. Junior Ben Willeford (125 lb.) and freshman Riley Shaw(285 lb.) both led the way for CSU at the EWL Championships and earned their way to the 2013 NCAA tournament.
Willeford upset the field at the Championships, becoming the EWL Champion at 125 pounds as the bracket's third seed. The junior followed a round one bye with a 6-4 decision upset win over second seeded Tyler Fraley of Clarion to advance to the finals. Willeford took the re-match vs. Fraley, after falling 3-2 earlier this season at home in Woodling Gym. The upset win paved the way for a championship match-up with fourth-seeded Kory Mines of Edinboro. The Viking junior continued his winning streak with a pin victory at the 4:32 mark to become a champion.
With the win Willeford became the first Viking to take home an EWL Championship crown since Rashard Gofftook home first place in 2009 at heavyweight for the Vikings.
Speaking of the heavyweight division, freshman Riley Shawalso made a statement, taking home a third place finish in that division to join Willeford in qualifying for the 2013 NCAA tournament. With the top three finishers from the heavyweight class in the EWL advancing on to the NCAA's, Shaw, the fifth seed, knew he'd need a big day. With that in mind he bounced back from a tough 3-2 decision defeat in his first match with an upset win, taking down the bracket's third seed, Earnest James from Edinboro, in a 4-3 thriller. The upset got things rolling for Shaw, who then took down Phil Cartrucco from Clarion in a 6-1 decision for the third place finish.
Other CSU wrestlers who picked up wins were Mike Carlone (133) and Corey Carlo (165) placing fourth, with Xavier Dyealso placing fifth at 174 pounds.
LOOKING AT THE BRACKET: As the Championship gets closer; the NCAA announced the 2013 bracket this past week. Taking a look at the match-ups, Ben Willefordwill face the third seed at 125 pounds, Matt McDonough from Iowa. McDonough, who finished 20-3 this season for the Hawkeyes, is a no stranger to the NCAA tournament, taking home the NCAA title at 125 pounds in both 2010 and 2012, while placing second in 2011.
Riley Shawwill also see a Big Ten opponent in round one on Thursday, as we he will take on eighth seeded Michael McClure from Michigan State. McClure led the Spartans with 32 wins on the year and is making his first career NCAA appearance as a junior this season.
ANOTHER EWL CHAMP: Ben Willeford is the first EWL Champion for the Vikings since Rashard Gofftook home the title as a senior in 2009 in the heavyweight division. Willeford is the first CSU EWL Champion at 125 pounds since Rocco Mansueto in 2003.
A TRUE FRESHMAN: Freshman Riley Shaw is the first Cleveland State true freshman to participate in the NCAA Championships since both Marcus Effner (157 lb.) and Joe Dennis(285 lb.) qualified as true freshmen for the 2005 NCAA Championships.
CSU AT THE NCAA CHAMPIONSHIPS:The Vikings have had a total of 125 representatives at the NCAA Championship since 1965, eight of which have earned All-American honors. The last Viking to become an All-American was Dan Carcelli, who finished fourth at the 1995 national championship at 142 pounds.
DOUBLE-DIGIT WINNERS: CSU ended the 2012-13 EWL season with seven wrestlers with double-digit wins on the year, led by freshman Riley Shaw and junior Ben Willeford each with 23. Following Shaw and Willeford with double-digit wins on the year areMichael Carlone (16), Corey Carlo (15), Matt Donohoe (14), Nick Flannery (13), and Xavier Dye (10).
