One of the most overlooked and underappreciated programs in NCAA Division I wrestling, the Cleveland State Vikings haven't gotten near the recognition or credit they deserve for the vast improvements they have made over the years. I began following NCAA Division I wrestling closely about 20 years ago & while Cleveland State has had some good teams, this 2021-2022 is about the best I've ever seen.
Not only do I think that the Vikings can crown their first MAC champion this season, I think they have an ability to put 5, yes you read that right, 5 in the MAC finals. This is a good team. Good things are happening at Cleveland State. We've seen glimpses of it over the past few seasons and this season we'll see even more.
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| 125 Logan Heil Sophomore Record: 27-16 MAC: 20'6th |
After a year at 133, Heil moves back down to 125 lbs where he was 24-12 as a freshman. I see no reason at all why Heil can't make a run at the MAC title & become the Viking's first champion. He's beaten Willy Girard of Bloomsburg twice by scores of 11-9 sudden victory and 6-5. He pinned Luke Werner of Lock Haven in 2:36 and he owns a 7-4 win over Jake Ferri of Kent State.
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| 149 Marcus Robinson Sophomore Record: 48-33 NCAA: 21'NQ MAC: 20'7th, 21'2nd |
With Brent Moore of Clarion and Alex Madrigal of George Mason, I will say that if both are healthy, Robinson has his work cut out for him. Nevertheless, he is still a contender for the MAC title.
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| 165 Riley Smucker Sophomore Record: 47-29 MAC: 20'5th, 21'4th |
A match away from NCAA qualification last season, I don't see Smucker defeating Izaak Olejnik of Northern Illinois, but I think anyone else at the weight class is fair game. Smucker stands as good of a chance as does anyone making the MAC finals.
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| 184 DeAndre Nassar Sophomore NCAA: 21'NQ MAC: 20'7th, 21'3rd |
Like Smucker, I don't see Nassar winning the MAC title this season. I think Northern Illinois' Britt Wilson is too much to overcome. I do think though that Nassar contends with Max Wohlabaugh of Clarion & George Walton of Rider for runner-up honors.
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| 197 Ben Smith Junior Record: 53-38 NCAA: 21'NQ MAC: 20'7th, 21'2nd |
Not only do I think Smith can win an MAC title this season, I think he'll be the forerunner to do so. Not sure if anyone else on the Viking roster will enter the MAC's seeded #1, but Smith should. His most impressive win was a 12-5 dismantling of Greg Bulsack of Clarion last season, but he owns other impressive victories as well. He's beaten Missouri's Wyatt Koelling twice and he owns a 12-4 major decision over J.J. Dixon of Oregon State.
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| HWT John Kelby Junior Record: 41-46 MAC: 20'6th |
A win over NCAA qualifier Jordan Earnest of Ohio & a victory over SOCON champion Michael McAleavey of The Citadel, I would think John Kelby could be another qualifier for the Vikings this season. HWT in the MAC is pretty tough, but Kelby should place somewhere between 4th and 6th.
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125 - NQ
133 - DNQ
141 - DNQ
149 - NQ
157 - DNQ
165 - NQ
174 - DNQ
184 - NQ
197 - NQ
HWT - NQ
For a team on the brink of extinction not all that long ago, I think six NCAA qualifiers is a pretty good showing. They are more than capable of this predicted success.
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