2024 NCAA Championships in Kansas City, Missouri
Season Stats | NCAA Brackets | Championship Central

Setting the Scene
Cleveland State is sending two wrestlers to the 2024 NCAA Championships, held March 21-23 in Kansas City, Missouri at the T-Mobile Center.

Cleveland State Lineup/Seed
197: Ben Smith - 25
285: Daniel Bucknavich – 20

Championship Information
Thursday, March 21
12:00 PM | Session 1 | ESPNU/ESPN+
7:00 PM | Session 2 | ESPN/ESPN+

Friday, March 22
12:00 PM | Session 3 | ESPNU/ESPN+
8:00 PM | Session 4 | ESPN/ESPN+

Saturday, March 23
11:00 AM | Session 5 | ESPNU/ESPN+
7:00 PM | Session 6 | ESPN/ESPN+

Opening Round Matchups
No. 25 Ben Smith vs. No. 8 Stephen Buchanan (Oklahoma)
No. 20 Daniel Bucknavich vs. No. 13 Yaraslau Slavikouski (Rutgers)

A Two-Time Champion
After taking a year off, Ben Smith reclaimed the 197-pound MAC Championship as the graduate student went 4-0. Smith started his run with an 18-3 technical fall over Tyler Kocak of George Mason and then claimed a 14-3 major decision over Azeem Bell of Rider. In the semifinals, Smith earned an 8-3 decision over Blake Schaffer of Kent State and won his second championship behind an 8-3 decision over No. 28 Sam Mitchell of Buffalo.

Smith at the Championships
2022 Championship
Champ. Round One: No. 4 Patrick Brucki (UM) DEC No. 29 Smith (CSU), 8-3
Cons. Round One: No. 20 Jacob Koser (Navy) MD No. 29 Smith (CSU), 12-0

2021 Championship
Champ. Round One: No. 9 Noah Adams (WVU) DEC No. 24 Smith (CSU), 6-0
Cons. Round One: No. 24 Smith (CSU) MD No. 25 JJ Dixon (ORST), 12-4
Cons. Round Two: No. 10 Cameron Caffey (MSU) FALL No. 24 Smith (CSU), 5:00

Got the Ticket
Bucknavich had a dominant first day at the MAC Championship with three shutouts to advance to the championship match. The junior started with an 11-0 major decision over Lonne Owens-Pabon of Buffalo and then an 8-0 decision over Ethan Miller of Lock Haven. In the semifinals, he won 13-0 over Bryan Caves of Central Michigan, before falling in the finals to No. 27 David Szuba of Rider, 7-3.

Bucknavich at the Championships
Bucknavich will be making his debut at the 2024 NCAA Championships.