April 25, 2003

The Cleveland State wrestling team advanced six wrestlers to the NCAA national tournament in Kansas City. Earning the trip for the Vikings were seniors Phil Mansuetto, Rocco Mansueto and Gerald Harris and juniors Anthony Coleman, Stipe Miocic and Russ Davie.

The seniors used their added experience to post a combined record of 6-6. Harris (Tulsa, Okla./East Central) split his four matches while Rocco Mansueto (Middletown, N.Y., Middletown) lost two close bouts after pulling off a huge upset of eighth-seeded Skyler Holman of eventual national champion Oklahoma State. Phil Mansueto (Middletown, N.Y./Middletown) gave the Vikings their best chance for an all-American representative as he posted a record of 3-2, missing the prestigious status by just one match.

Coleman (Bellevue, Ohio/Bellevue), Davie (Perrysburg, Ohio/Perrysburg) and Miocic (Willowick, Ohio/Eastlake North) wrestled well but were left with nothing to show for their outstanding seasons, as they posted a combined tournament record of 0-6.

While the Viking's season may have ended quicker than the team had hoped, it was by no means a reflection of the numerous successes of the season. The Vikings set or tied several team and individual records, including tying a school record for dual meet wins with 13. Harris set school records for wins in a season (40), wins in a career (118) and dual meet record (18-1).

The squad finished second in EWL regular season, the program's best finish in 19 years. They carried that momentum into the EWL tournament, placing third for their highest mark since the '86-'87 season. In addition, the six Viking NCAA qualifiers are the most to advance since the 1987 season.