Jan. 31, 2006
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Setting the Scene: The Eastern Wrestling League season kicks into high gear this week, as the Vikings hit the road to Pennsylvania for a 7:30 p.m. match at Lock Haven on Saturday (Feb. 4) and a 1:00 p.m. meet at Bloomsburg on Sunday (Feb. 5).
Previewing the Vikings: The Vikings (5-4, 1-0 EWL) have been successful of late, winning four of their last six matches including their league opener against Pittsburgh on Thursday (Jan. 26). The team is benefiting greatly from the leadership of senior co-captain Ron Howard, who is ranked No. 19 at 184 pounds in the NWCA/Intermat Coaches Poll and leads the team with a 20-7 record. Freshmen Jayrl Hunt (125), Victer Crenshaw (157) and Rashard Goff have provided a boost in their first collegiate season, with Hunt touting an 11-8 mark with three pins, Crenshaw going 17-10 with three pins and two tech falls and Goff recording a 17-14 mark with four pins. Sophomore David Armstrong has been a steady competitor at 133, posting a 15-7 record, while sophomore transfer Tim Scarl has stepped in to replace injured NCAA qualifier Marcus Effner, recording a 3-2 mark with two major decisions.
Last Week's Results:
Jan. 26, 2006 - Woodling Gymnasium - Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland State 16, Pittsburgh 15
CSU trailed 15-7 with three bouts remaining against the Panthers at Woodling Gym before rallying for three decisions to record a close 16-15 win. Seniors Ron Howard (184) and Ishaml Williams (197) as well as freshman Rashard Goff (285) got the Vikings the points they needed to claim the win. A major decision by freshman Victer Crenshaw at 157 proved to be the difference in the score in a match where nine of 10 bouts went as decisions. The win gave the Vikings a 1-0 record in the EWL, while the Panthers fell to 0-2.
Coach Effner's Thoughts: "Our guys are learning a hard lesson. The margin of error is so small at this level. You have to get up for every bout. We need to keep the energy up for the next few weeks. We need all of our guys to step up and perform they way they are capable of."
Howard Nationally Ranked: Senior Ron Howard enters the week ranked among the nation's best, according to the latest NWCA/Intermat Coaches Poll. Howard currently sits at No. 19 at 184 with a record of 20-7, including two pins and three major decisions.
Sophomore Success: The success of the Cleveland State wrestling team rests on the shoulders of its young starters, especially its sophomores. In fact, four of the 10 regular starters in the CSU lineup are sophomores, including David Armstrong (133), co-captain Mike Hurley (141), NCAA qualifier Ryan Hurley (149) and transfer Tim Scarl (165). Additionally, Joe Wornoff (125) and JT Miller (174) provide a strong presence in the lineup that is crucial to the success of the team.
...But Don't Forget the Freshmen: While a large portion of the the CSU lineup is composed of sophomores, the freshman trio of Jayrl Hunt, Victer Crenshaw and Rashard Goff have provided the biggest lift to the team's success so far this season. The first-year wrestlers have combined to register 44 of the starter's 110 wins, with Hunt posting a 11-8 mark at 125, Crenshaw touting a 17-10 mark at 157 and Goff going 17-14 at 285.
...And Senior Leadership: Senior Ron Howard has become one of the most reliable competitors in the Viking lineup during his four seasons on the squad. The Cincinnati native is a two-time NCAA qualifier at 184 pounds and is currently ranked 19th nationally. A team co-captain, he owns a 67-58 career record, including a 20-7 mark this season that includes the 184-pound title at the Ashland University Harris Auto Center Open on Nov. 19. He has been especially hot of late, winning five of his last six bouts.
Smolyakov Joins Vikings: The Vikings will have added depth for the remainder of this season and for the next two years with the addition of Russian transfer Dmitry Smolyakov. A 23-year-old sophomore from Kaliningrad, Russia, Smolyakov joins Cleveland State after spending a year and a half at Russian State University of Sport. A member of the Russian Junior Team, he won titles at the Zone Championships of Russia and the Championship of Poland wrestling at 96 kg (211 lbs.). He is currently working to fit into the Viking lineup at the 197 pound weight class and may see action in the lineup as early as this week.
From Director Ron Howard: While he may not be making blockbuster films quite yet, senior Ron Howard is well on his way to finding himself in the film industry. A digital media and film major at Cleveland State, Howard has been getting hands-on experience this season at CSU men's and women's basketball home games. For each of the Vikings' Horizon League contests this season, he has served as the director in charge of coordinating four arena cameras for the internet television broadcasts. He hopes to someday have a career in video production.
The Cardiac Kids: Cleveland State's wins in the last month have been nothing short of entertaining if not nerve-wracking. Three of the Vikings' last four wins have come the hard way, with CSU needing to rally from early deficits to come out on top. Ohio State put Cleveland State in a 10-0 hole to start the match on Jan. 7 before the Viking surged to claim a 25-18 win over the Buckeyes. At the Wendy's Duals on Jan. 22, CSU and Davidson battled through four lead changes before the Vikings took control in the final three bouts to win, 27-15. Last week against Pittsburgh, the Vikings rallied from an eight-point deficit in the last three bouts to claim a 16-15 win.
A Long Time Coming: Cleveland State's win over Ohio State on Jan. 7 was a big win for the Vikings in a lot of ways, especially when you consider how long it has been since a CSU squad has topped the Buckeyes. It was the first victory for the Viking program since defeating the Buckeyes, 18-15, at Woodling Gym on Dec. 14, 1986. Since that time, CSU had gone 0-12 against the Big Ten foe.
Scarl Steps Right In: The loss of Marcus Effner leaves a big hole at the 165-pound weight class, but a new addition to the roster may provide an ample replacement. Tim Scarl, a sophomore transfer from Indiana, became eligible for competition on Jan. 7 and will be the top option at 165 for the spring. In his first four bouts with the Vikings, he holds a 3-2 record with a pair of major decisions. A graduate of St. Edward High School, Scarl went 13-9 with three tech falls in 2004-05 with the Hoosiers.
Head Coach Jack Effner: Head coach Jack Effner is in his eighth season at the helm of the Vikings and holds a 56-71-3 dual meet record. During his tenure, he has coached 27 NCAA qualifiers and four Eastern Wrestling League Champions. The Vikings sent five wrestlers to the NCAA Championships last season, the fourth-straight year that four or more CSU wrestlers have qualified for the national tournament. Additionally, Effner has instilled an emphasis on academic success in his teams. The Vikings have finished in the top 20 nationally in grade-point average in all seven of Effner's seasons, with the 2000 squad posting the highest ranking when it finished seventh out of nearly 100 teams.
Chittick Signs with CSU: High school senior Kyle Chittick, who won the Michigan state title at 171 pounds last season, has signed a national letter of intent to attend Cleveland State and wrestle beginning in the fall of 2006. A senior at Davison High School near Burton, Mich., he holds a 146-21 career record and enters his senior season ranked 12th or higher at 171 pounds in every high school ranking, including a No. 8 ranking in Wrestling USA Magazine. Chittick placed in the top eight at the state championships in his first three years, finishing sixth as a freshman, fourth as a sophomore and first last year. He was tabbed as a Freestyle Cadet All-American his sophomore season before being named to the Freestyle Junior National Team last year.
Next Up: The Vikings return to Woodling Gym on Feb. 9 for a 7:00 p.m. match with Edinboro before heading to Clarion on Feb. 12 for a 2:00 p.m. meet.
