Nov. 12, 2008

Complete Release in PDF Format

Contact: Ryan Mulford

SETTING THE SCENE: The Cleveland State wrestling team prepares for a busy weekend as they compete in the Ashland Open Saturday (Nov. 15) and the fourth ranked Ohio State on Sunday (Nov. 16).

PREVIEWING THE VIKINGS: The Vikings have gotten off to quick start competing in both the Eastern Michigan and Michigan State Opens. Rashard Goff has been the team leader recording both a first and second place finish to open the season. Jordan Keller has also shown success early in his career by tallying a second and sixth place finish.

RECAPPING LAST WEEK: The Vikings had three place winners as they competed in the Michigan State Open. Senior Rashard Goff went undefeated en route to a first place crown, while Josh Palivoda and Jordan Keller both had exceptional days winning three matches on their way to sixth place finishes.

THE HEAD COACH: Ben Stehura (Lock Haven, 2000) Overall Record: 26-50-1 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.

STEHURA ON THE VIKINGS: "We have been working hard in the practice room this week and are expecting to continue the success we have shown early on this season."

Goff Keeps on Rolling: After posting a 3-1 record en route to a second place finish at the Eastern Michigan Open (11/1), Rashard Goff took it up a notch going undefeated on his way to a first place championship at the Michigan State Open on Sunday (11/9). In the championship match, Goff got out to an early lead against Indiana's Nate Everhart and never looked back winning the match be a 4-3 decision.

Looking to Repeat: Rob Michaels will attempt to continue his success and build upon his third place finish at the Ashland Open. Alek Hughes (197) and Eric Schwartz (HWT) earned bronze medals while JT Miller (174) earned a fifth place finish.

CSU all-time VS. Ohio State: CSU has defeated the Buckeyes in 13 of their head-to-head meetings, including a 25-18 victory the last time they faced off in 2006 in Cleveland.

Palivoda Continuing Family Tradition: With his uncle and father both wrestling at CSU, sophomore Josh Palivoda is writing the next chapter in family history. His father, Paul, wrestled for the Vikings in the late 70's and early 80's and his uncle, Joe, was an NCAA qualifier for CSU in 1979. Palivoda has already collected 13 victories in his short Viking career.

He's Not In Kansas Anymore: Jordan Keller, a two-time Kansas high school state champion and last year's high school national champion is quickly becoming a rising star. In his first collegiate action at the Eastern Michigan Open, Keller went 3-1 on his way to a second place finish. Keller, then continued his success at the Michigan State Open where he posted a 3-3 record, earning a sixth place finish to run his overall record to 6-4.

Never Quitting: Hard work and perseverance are traits every wrestler must have; no one knows that better than Lawrence Cavello. Cavello who competed in limited action during his red shirt freshman season, has come out strong in his first season in the starting lineup winning four matches at 141 pounds.

Up Next: The Vikings will have a week off before taking on crosstown rival John Carroll on Tuesday, Nov. 25. The match will take place in University Heights, Ohio and will begin at 7:00 p.m.