CLEVELAND, Ohio - The Cleveland State University wrestling team fell to visiting Clarion, 34-6, in each team's Eastern Wrestling League finale Sunday afternoon inside Woodling Gymnasium.
"I would just like to express my gratitude to the seniors" head coach Ben Stehura said as CSU celebrated Senior Day Sunday. "I want to thank them for all they've put into this program over the past four years."
Sophomore Evan Cheek and redshirt junior Nick Corba collected victories for the Vikings in the setback.
The dual began at 125 pounds and featured a scoreless opening period. Clarion took control in the second stanza with a takedown and would hold on to win by decision.
A similar script unfolded at 133 pounds, but this time Clarion used an escape to take the lead in the second period after a scoreless opening frame. The Golden Eagles would take the second match via decision as well.
Cheek got the hosts on the scoreboard at 141 pounds, and it began with a first-period takedown. Cheek got an escape and a takedown in the second period to take a 5-0 lead after five minutes, and he held on for a 6-1 win.
The highest scoring match of the day came at 149, but unfortunately for the hosts, they were on the wrong end of the final score. Senior Nick Montgomery posted a takedown in the third period to come back and tie the match. Montgomery had a point of riding time looking likely, but his opponent, Jake Keller, was able to score some late points and take a 10-7 victory.
At 157 pounds, for the third consecutive match, Cleveland State took an early lead. Redshirt senior RJ LaBeef registered a takedown to pull ahead in the first period and led 3-1 after three minutes. However, his opponent took control in the second period and would hold on for a three-point win.
The only bout in the back half of the lineup that the Vikings were able to win was at 184 pounds. After a scoreless opening frame, Corba was able to rack up over a minute of riding time before allowing an escape late in the second frame. He was then able to post an escape of his own early in the third period to tie the match, and he would claim the victory with his riding time point.
Cheek now owns a 22-9 record this season while Corba sits at 19-7. Cheek finished 5-1 in EWL action this season while Corba went 4-2.
Cleveland State will close the regular season next weekend when it hosts a tri-dual involving Gardner-Webb and Northern Illinois. The first dual will commence Saturday, Feb. 18, at 11:00 a.m.
Clarion 34, Cleveland State 6
125: Jake Gromacki (CLAR) over John Martin (CSU) - 8-1 dec. | Clarion leads, 3-0
133: Roshaun Cooley (CLAR) over Andrew Coghill (CSU) - 7-1 dec. | Clarion leads, 6-0
141: Evan Cheek (CSU) over Evan Myers (CLAR) - 6-1 dec. | Clarion leads, 6-3
149: Jake Keller (CLAR) over Nick Montgomery (CSU) - 10-7 dec. | Clarion leads, 9-3
157: Mac Tanner (CLAR) over RJ LaBeef (CSU) - 8-5 dec. | Clarion leads, 12-3
165: Evan Delong (CLAR) over John Vaughn (CSU) - 10-0 MD | Clarion leads, 16-3
174: Dominic Rigors (CLAR) over Devon Pingel (CSU) - Fall 2:20 | Clarion leads, 22-3
184: Nick Corba (CSU) over Scott Marmoll (CLAR) - 2-1 dec. | Clarion leads, 22-6
197: Terrell Fields (CLAR) over Collin Kelly (CSU) - Fall 2:48 | Clarion leads, 28-6
285: Evan Daley (CLAR) over Michael Furbee (CSU) - Fall 3:33 | Clarion wins, 34-6
