MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The Vikings split their tri-match at West Virginia on Monday, defeating Chattanooga 17-16, before falling to the host, 24-10. With the results, Cleveland State remains .500 on the year in dual matches at 3-3.

Day Highlights

• DeAndre Nassar (184) and Ben Smith (197) led the way with two wins apiece.
• Cleveland State recorded one technical fall and a major fall on the day.
• The Vikings are now 2-0 against Chattanooga and 10-27 against West Virginia all-time.

Match 1: Cleveland State (17) vs. Chattanooga (16)
After dropping the first five matches, Cleveland State won the final five matches to complete the 17-16 come from behind victory.

Chattanooga started the match with four decisions and one major decision to lead 16-0.

The reigning MAC Wrestler of the Week, Smucker got the Vikings on the board with a 5-4 decision at 165 pounds to trail 16-3. Anthony Rice (174) and DeAndre Nassar (184) each recorded 5-3 decisions as the Green and White pulled to within 16-9. 

Ben Smith notched a 23-6 technical fall in 5:21 at 197 pounds as Cleveland State trailed 16-14, setting up a winner take all heavyweight match.

In the final match, Kelbly outlasted Matthias Ervin 5-1 as the Vikings won the match, 17-16.

Results: Cleveland State 17, Chattanooga 16
125: No. 20 Fabian Gutierrez (UC) DEC No. 32 Logan Heil (CSU), 8-3
133: Brayden Palmer (UC) MD Jake Manley (CSU), 9-0
141: Franco Valdes (UC) DEC Hunter Olson (CSU), 9-7
149: Noah Castillo (UC) DEC Ryan Granger (CSU), 8-2
157: Weston Wichman (UC) DEC Daniel Patten (CSU), 9-5
165: Riley Smucker (CSU) DEC Caleb Waddell (UC), 5-4
174: Anthony Rice (CSU) DEC Carial Tarter (UC), 5-3
184: DeAndre Nassar (CSU) DEC Matthew Waddell (UC), 5-3
197: Ben Smith (CSU) TF Landon Lewis (UC), 22-6
HWT: John Kelbly (CSU) DEC Matthias Ervin (UC), 5-1

Match 2: Cleveland State (10) vs. West Virginia (24)

West Virginia opened the match with a major decision followed by three straight decisions to lead 13-0.

Daniel Patten scored a takedown in overtime to win 4-2 at 157 pounds as Cleveland State trailed 13-3.

The Mountaineers answered right back with a major decision and decision, extending their advantage to 20-3.

DeAndre Nassar made it a perfect day after recording an 11-3 major decision at 184 pounds as Cleveland State trailed 20-7. Ben Smith followed suit with his second victory of the day, notching a 6-2 decision at 197 pounds to make it 20-10.

West Virginia ended the day with a major decision at the heavyweight division, winning the match 24-10.

Results: Cleveland State 10, West Virginia 24
125: No. 6 Killian Cardinale (WVU) MD No. 32 Logan Heil (CSU), 14-5
133: Garett Lautzenheiser (WVU)DEC Jake Manley (CSU), 4-2
141: Caleb Rea (WVU) DEC Hunter Olson (CSU), 6-2
149: Jeffrey Boyd (WVU) DEC Ryan Granger (CSU), 8-2
157: Daniel Patten (CSU) DEC Alex Hornfeck (WVU), 4-2 (OT)
165: No. 12 Peyton Hall MD Riley Smucker (CSU), 12-3
174: Scott Joll (WVU) DEC Anthony Rice (CSU), 8-4
184: DeAndre Nassar (CSU) MD Kyle Myers (WVU), 11-3
197: Ben Smith (CSU) DEC Jackson Moomau (WVU), 6-2
HWT: No. 22 Michael Wolfgram (WVU) MD John Kelbly (CSU), 13-4

Alumni Day
Cleveland State will be hosting Alumni Day on Saturday, February 5 at 7 p.m. against Ohio University inside Woodling Gymnasium. For $20 alumni can attend a reception at Mather Mansion and then get into the match. Alumni are asked to RSVP by February 1 and can do so by clicking here.

Up Next
The Vikings conclude the calendar year at the Ken Kraft Midlands Championships on December 29 and 30.