May 30, 2002

CLEVELAND - The Cleveland State University wrestling team has been honored as one of the 2002 Academic Top 25 Division I wrestling teams by the National Wrestling Coaches Association (NWCA), it was recently announced.

The Vikings checked in 14th nationally with a 2.97 cumulative grade point average, tied with the University of Iowa. Sacred Heart University topped the nation's wrestling teams with a 3.40 gpa. Among Eastern Wrestling League members, CSU and Lock Haven University (8th, 3.126) were the only two schools to make the grade.

Individually, junior Rocco Mansueto (Middletown, N.Y./Middletown) was named to the NWCA All-Academic honorable mention team. Mansueto, who was an NCAA qualifier at 125 pounds, carries a 3.44 gpa and majors in psychology.

Mike Moyer, executive director of the NWCA commented, "The results of the 2002 NWCA Academic All-American rankings confirms the NWCA's belief that many of our nation's top collegiate wrestlers are committed to the highest level of achievement in the classroom as well as the wrestling mat. These results demonstrate that the sport of wrestling is building leaders for life as many of these athletes will go on to be our leaders of tomorrow."

Earlier this spring, six Viking grapplers were feted at the 2002 CSU Athletic Academic Honors Luncheon for maintaining a 3.000 gpa or better. Mansueto and his brother Phil Mansueto, also a junior, senior Nick Boucher (Sunfield, Mich./Lakewood), sophomore Russ Davie (Perrysburg, Ohio/Perrysburg), sophomore Anthony Coleman (Bellevue, Ohio/Bellevue) and junior Matt DePolo (Bellevue, Ohio/Bellevue) all made the grade.