Cleveland State Wrestling Prepares for Navy Classic
The Official Website Of Cleveland State University Athletics
Classic One Event: Navy Classic Date/Time: Saturday, Nov. 23 | All Day Location: Annapolis, Md. | Wesley A. Brown Field House Follow: Scoring
Opening Notes The Vikings return to the mat for the Navy Classic with a plethora of athletes competing at various weight classes.
Cleveland State Entries 125 | Ben Aranda 133 | Nick Molchak | Jake Manley 141 | Landen Duncan | Michael Markulin 149 | Connor Saylor | AJ Parish 157 | Douglas Terry | Reese Stephen | Nick Abounader 165 | Tate Geiser 174 | Gavin Ricketts | Ronald Dimmerling 184 | JR Reed 197 | Joey Lyons | Justin Jaeckin 285 | Mason Cover | Shane Cook | Mekhi Bradley Kaiden Haines
Last Time Out Cleveland State dropped its first dual match of the season at home to Columbia, 27-15. The Vikings won five matches on the day by decisions from Aranda (125). Manley (133), Terry (157), Lyons (197), and Bucknavich (285).
Teams in the Classic Maryland, Nebraska, Indiana, American. Lehigh, Navy, The Citadel, Bucknell, Kent State, Ohio.
A Look Back at the Navy Classic The Vikings had four placers and finished in sixth place with 67.5 points last season. No. 22 Daniel Bucknavich was the runner-up at 285-pounds after registering two falls on the day. No. 21 Dylan Layton finished third at 141-pounds after going 3-1 with a fall. No. 23 Ben Smith placed fourth at 197-pounds after going 2-2 with a fall and Tate Geiser placed sixth at the Navy Classic after going 4-2 with two tech falls at 165-pounds.
Bucky is Back Bucknavich will look to make his second straight appearance at the NCAA Championships as the senior was picked to win the 285-pound championship in the MAC. In his first trip to the NCAAs, the senior defeated No. 29 Nash Hutmacher of Nebraska in sudden victory, 5-2. Welcome Back, Placers The Green and White return three placers from last season: Ben Aranda (125 Pounds), Tate Geiser (165 Pounds), and Daniel Bucknavich (285 Pounds). In the Rankings Daniel Bucknavich – No. 18 {Intermat} | No. 20 {FLO} | No. 18 {Open Mat} Preseason Poll Cleveland State was chosen to finish tenth in the MAC for the 2024-25 season after receiving 48 points. Central Michigan claimed the top spot after receiving 106 points, Lock Haven was second with 104.5 points, and George Mason was third with 103 points.
Success off the Mat The Vikings secured a Top 3 GPA in the country for a fourth straight year and second straight with the second highest. Last season the Green and White posted a 3.54 GPA which was the highest cumulative in program history. The team led the MAC with 11 Academic honorees and six NWCA Scholar Athletes.
Up Next Cleveland State will host the annual Cleveland State Open inside Woodling Gymnasium on Saturday, December 7.
Ben Aranda Redshirt Sophomore
Daniel Bucknavich Redshirt Junior
Tate Geiser Sophomore
Dylan Layton Sophomore
Ben Smith Redshirt Senior
Nick Abounader Redshirt Sophomore 157/165
Ben Aranda Redshirt Junior 125
Mekhi Bradley Redshirt Freshman 285
Shane Cook Redshirt Freshman 285
Jake Manley Senior 133
AJ Parish Redshirt Freshman 149/157
Gavin Ricketts Redshirt Freshman 174
Ben Aranda Redshirt Sophomore
Daniel Bucknavich Redshirt Junior
Tate Geiser Sophomore
Dylan Layton Sophomore
Ben Smith Redshirt Senior
Nick Abounader Redshirt Sophomore 157/165
Ben Aranda Redshirt Junior 125
Mekhi Bradley Redshirt Freshman 285
Shane Cook Redshirt Freshman 285
Jake Manley Senior 133
AJ Parish Redshirt Freshman 149/157
Gavin Ricketts Redshirt Freshman 174