Nov. 19, 2009

Contact: Renee Adam

Complete Release in PDF Format

SETTING THE SCENE: The Cleveland State wrestling team is prepared for a busy week, as the Vikings host Eastern Michigan on Thursday (Nov. 19) in their first dual of the season, then travel to Columbus, Ohio on Sunday (Nov. 22) to face Notre Dame, Findlay and Ohio State at the Ohio State duals.

REVIEWING LAST WEEK: The Vikings participated in the Michigan State Open last Sunday, leaving with a first and third place finisher. Jordan Keller won the 125 pound weight class by knocking off wrestlers from Findlay Northern Illinois, and Central Michigan. Corey Carlo placed third in the 157 pound weight class, falling only to Brian Deutsch of Northern Illinois.

THE HEAD COACH
Ben Stehura (Lockhaven '00)
AT CSU: 4-13 (1 year)
OVERALL: 30-63-1 (5 years)

THE STEHURA FILE: Ben Stehura enters his second season as the head coach of the Cleveland State wrestling program. Stehura returns after leading a young Viking team to a 4-13 record during his first season at the helm. Stehura continued the trend of coaching a wrestler to the NCAA Championships last season, and for the 48th straight year a Viking wrestler advanced to the NCAA Championship with Rashard Goff representing CSU in 2009. Stehura also coached Goff to an EWL Heavyweight championship, the first league champion for CSU since the 2006 season. Stehura will use his experience with coaching a young program and lead the Vikings during the 2009-10 season, working to improve in the EWL and continuing the history and tradition of CSU wrestling.

PREVIEWING THE VIKINGS: The Vikings have once again started their season with the Eastern Michigan and Michigan State Opens. Multiple wrestlers have stepped up to represent CSU in both opens. Jordan Keller recorded a first place finish to open his sophomore season, while his classmate Corey Carlo placed third in the 157 pound weight class at MSU. Rob Michaels and Marcus Effner have also placed for the Vikings during the first two meets, recording a fourth a sixth place finish respecitvely at EMU.

KELLER CONTINUES SUCCESS IN MICHIGAN: Last year Jordan Keller started his freshman campaign off with a second place finish at the Eastern Michigan Open, and he continued his early season success this year as he won the 125 pound weight class at the Michigan State Open.

FRESHMEN FRENZY: The freshmen class is making a strong impact in the early going, as six out of the 10 probables for the first dual meet of the season are newcomers. Zachary Zupancic, Zech Huff, Ronald Butler, Nick Anthony, Gahad Suleiman and Chris Weber are those included in the line up as of now. The freshmen class accounts for more than 50-percent of the roster so it comes as no surprise that they will be heavily relied upon this year.

MICHAELS SEARCHES FOR FIFTY: Junior Rob Michaels will be out for his 50th career victory this season needing only nine more wins to achieve the task. Over his freshman and sophomore seasons he posted 23 and 18 victories respectively, putting 50 wins well within his reach.

TEAM LEADERS: Rob Michaels and Jordan Keller are the lone returners that led the squad last season in statistical categories. Michaels led the Vikings with five pins, and was also fourth with 18 wins. Keller was first on the squad with 11 major decisions and second behind Rashard Goff with 23 wins.

CSU ALL-TIME VS. EASTERN MICHIGAN: The Vikings hold a 9-5 record against the Eagles, but CSU will be searching for its first victory since the 2006-07 season when they posted a 25-18 victory in Ypsilanti, Mich. Last season Jordan Keller (125), Rob Michaels (165) and Rashard Goff (HWT) posted victories, with Goff posting his 96th career win and Keller his 17th vs. the Eagles.

...VS. FINDLAY, NOTRE DAME & OHIO STATE: CSU has defeated the three teams a combined 16 times, with the last victory coming during the 2005-06 season when the Vikings bested the Buckeyes, 25-18. Against Notre Dame, Cleveland State is a perfect 1-0, facing them in 1976. The 1999-2000 season marks the last time that CSU has faced Findlay, recording a 30-12 victory at Woodling Gymnasium.

NEXT UP: The Vikings will close out the month of November when CSU hosts cross town rival John Carroll on Tuesday (Nov. 24) at 7:00 p.m. in Woodling Gymnasium.