Jan. 2, 2009

Complete Release in PDF Format

Contact: Ryan Mulford

SETTING THE SCENE: The Vikings open their home dual meet schedule this weekend when they host Buffalo, Gardner-Webb and the University of Northern Iowa. The first match is scheduled to begin at 12:00 p.m., with additional matches at 2:00 p.m. and 4:00 p.m. in the Woodling Gymnasium.

VS. BUFFALO: The Vikings are 5-5 all time against Buffalo. Cleveland State last beat the Bisons in February of 1976, by a score of 17-15. This season the Bisons have a record of 8-1 and are currently riding a six-match win streak.

VS. UNIVERSITY OF NORTHERN IOWA: Cleveland State has a 1-5 overall record against the UNI Panthers. The Vikings notched their lone victory in 1977 when they defeated the Panthers, 27-7. UNI is currently 2-2, including a 25-15 victory over 21st ranked Old Dominion.

VS. GARDNER-WEBB: This meeting will mark the first time these two programs have met. The Runnin' Bulldogs have a 2-4 record this season, including a 28-18 loss to University of the Cumberlands, who the Vikings detfeated 24-19 on Nov. 16.

PREVIEWING THE VIKINGS: Cleveland State is coming off a 27th place finish at the Midlands Invitational. Jordan Keller was able to bounce back after a first round loss to eventual champion Brandon Precin to win two matches, including a 14-3 major decision over Maryland's Louis Ruland. Josh Palivoda notched his first Midlands win on Monday (12/29) defeating Northwestern's Eric Galka 8-6. Rob Michaels came back from a first round loss to win two matches, and grab his team high fifth pin.

GOFF TAKES SIXTH AT MIDLANDS: Rashard Goff continued his success at the Midlands Invitational this week(12/29-30). Goff was able to win three matches, including a 3-1 decision over fourth ranked Kyle Massey of Wisconsin. The senior heavyweight has placed in each of the four tournaments that he has competed, including a first place finish at the Michigan State Open and a second place finishes at the Eastern Michigan Open as well as the Penn State Open.

MICHAELS CHALLENGING SINGLE SEASON PINS RECORD: Rob Michaels has collected 13 victories this season, five of which have come by pin fall. Michaels is currently nine pins away from tying the season high record of 14 set during the 1983-84 season by Matt Ghaffari.

KELLER CONTINUES SUCCESS: Kansas native, Jordan Keller has provided the Vikings with a consistent presence at 125 pounds this season. The freshman is second on the team with 14 wins and has a team high seven major decisions.

BEAR IS BACK: Derek Cummins returned to action on Monday(12/29) at the Midlands Invitational. Last season while competing at 184 pounds Cummins was able to score nine victories, two coming by way of major decision.

PALIVODA SOLID IN DUAL MEETS: Josh Palivoda has proven himself to be a durable wrestler at 133 pounds for head coach Ben Stehura. Palivoda has three wins in dual meets this season including a 16-6 major decision over Cumblerands Travis Sullivan and a 16-1 tech fall over Tyler Harmer of Wagner.

CARLO WINNING EMPHATICALLY: Freshman Corey Carlo has quietly been putting together a stellar season. Carlo began the year winning five matches at the Eastern Michigan Open and the Michigan State Open, including three by way of major decision. In dual meets, Carlo has three wins, including an 18-3 tech fall over Wagner's Nicholas Dalcero.

THE HEAD COACH: Ben Stehura (Lock Haven, 2000) Overall: 29-53-1

Former Viking graduate assistant coach Ben Stehura is in his first season as head coach. Stehura is only the third head coach for the Viking wrestling program after serving the last five years as the head coach at Division II Limestone College in Gaffney, S.C. The only head coach in Limestone history, Stehura quickly built the program and has already coached one NCAA National Champion, three NCAA All-Americans, five NCAA National qualifiers and eight NCAA All-Academic team members. A 2000 graduate of Lock Haven University with a Bachelor's of Science in Secondary Education, Stehura was a three-year starter, earning fourth and fifth place finishes in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Tournament.

Up Next: The Vikings will be back in action on Sunday January 11, when they travel back to Ypsilanti, Michigan to compete against Eastern Michigan. Action is scheduled to begin at 3:00 p.m.