June 19, 2003
CLEVELAND - Coming off of one of the most successful seasons in Cleveland State history, wrestling Head Coach Jack Effner announced Thursday that his incoming recruiting class is a dozen strong.
Ohio high school standouts Alec Bottomlee, Nathan Browning, Nathan Hough-Snee, Mike Hurley, Ryan Hurley, Sengbe Kemokai, DeAngelo Penn, Ryan Riggs, William Seng and Joe Wornoff will be joined by a pair of transfers -- Matt Kallai from Ohio State and Kevin Linich from Kent State.
"All 12 wrestlers we are bringing in next year were at the very least state qualifiers with a combined total of over 1,400 high school victories," said Effner.
"With the loss of tri-captains Gerald Harris, Phil Mansueto and Rocco Mansueto to graduation, we needed to bring in a good recruiting class.
When you add these outstanding newcomers to the 16 returning letterwinners, including seven seniors, I believe we have the potential to have another very successful year."
In 2002-03, the Vikings finished 13-6 in dual meets before coming in third at the EWL Championships, their highest finish since the 1986-87 campaign.
In addition, the Vikings sent a school record-tying six qualifiers to the NCAA Championships, led by EWL champions Rocco Mansueto and Harris at 125 and 184 pounds, respectively.
A detailed list of the 12 recruits and their accomplishments follows.
| Name | Projected Wt. | Cl./Elig. | Hometown/High School (Previous School) (Notable) |
| Alec Bottomlee | 141/149 | Fr./Fr. | Elyria, Ohio/Elyria (31-5 as a senior; 111-29 overall; state qualifier) |
| Nathan Browning | 125/133 | Fr./Fr. | Bellbrook, Ohio/Bellbrook (39-2 as a senior; 126-26 overall; four-time state qualifier (5th in 2003)) |
| Nathan Hough-Snee | 197 | Fr./Fr. | Mentor, Ohio/Mentor (43-7 as a senior; 107-38 overall; two-time state qualifier; Junior National Team member) |
| Mike Hurley | 141 | Fr./Fr. | Akron, Ohio/St. Vincent-St. Mary (43-2 as a senior; 162-16 overall; three-time state placer -- 2nd in 2000 & 2001, 1st in 2002; Junior National Team member; 2nd place at High School Nationals) |
| Ryan Hurley | 149 | Fr./Fr. | Akron, Ohio/St. Vincent-St. Mary (41-5 as a senior; 161-19 overall; four-time state placer -- 2nd in 2000, 1st in 2001, 3rd in 2002, 5th in 2003; 7th place at High School Nationals; Junior National Team member; 1st place at Reno Tourney) |
| Matt Kallai | 174/184 | So./Fr. | Wadsworth, Ohio/Wadsworth (Ohio State) (44-0 as a senior; 150-17 overall; four-time state placer -- 3rd in 1999, 6th in 2000, 3rd in 2001, 1st in 2002; 2nd place at High School Nationals; Junior National Team member; redshirted at Ohio State) |
| Sengbe Kemokai | 197 | Fr./Fr. | Wadsworth, Ohio/Wadsworth (36-10 as a senior; 63-26 overall; state qualifier) |
| Kevin Linich | 125/133 | Sr./Jr. | Lyndhurst, Ohio/University School (Kent State) (42-4 as a senior; 149-28 overall; two-time state placer -- 4th in 1999, 3rd in 2000; posted a 20-12 record in two seasons at Kent State) |
| DeAngelo Penn | 125 | Fr./Fr. | Solon, Ohio/Solon (10-4 as a senior; 80-20 overall; two-time state placer -- 4th in 1998, 6th in 1999) |
| Ryan Riggs | 125 | Fr./Fr. | Massillon, Ohio/Perry (29-9 as a senior; 106-27 overall; three-time state qualifier; Junior National Team member) |
| William Seng | 174 | Fr./Fr. | Findlay, Ohio/Findlay (32-9 as a senior; 88-39 overall; state qualifier) |
| Joe Wornoff | 125 | Fr./Fr. | Garfield Heights, Ohio/Garfield Heights (35-8 as a senior; 132-25 overall; three-time state qualifier (3rd in 2002 & 2003)) |
