Farewell Cleveland State

[flyingcement]

I haven't heard any more news but the evidence seems clear from transfers and coaching hires.

Most prominent benefactors from the closure in a personnel sense: Kent State

The Golden Flashes hired Josh Moore from Cleveland State as their new head coach and siphoned off four wrestlers from the Vikings.

Cleveland State departures that I have seen confirmed are as follows:

125: Ruben Lorenzana (Kent State)
133: Nick Molchak (Kent State), Peyton Costa (Clarion)
141: Ethan Mitchell (Glenville State)
149: Dylan Layton (Rider), Andrew Parish (Findlay), Connor Saylor (Gannon)
157: Reese Stephen (Kent State)
165: Tate Geiser (Edinboro), Connor Holm (Glenville State)
184: Steven Duffy (Kent State)
197: Xander Myers (Ohio State)
285: Mason Cover (CSU Bakersfield)
------------------------------
Separately thought we should honor the All Americans from Cleveland State wrestling past:
Dan Carcelli - 4th place - 142 lbs - 1996
David Zahoransky - 8th place - 142 lbs - 1986, 1988
John Ciotoi - 3rd place - 134 lbs - 1979
Tobey Matney - 5th place - 158 lbs - 1979
Tom Cavanaugh - 2nd place - 150 lbs - 1973
Tony DeGiovanni 5th place - 134 lbs - 1972, 6th place - 134 lbs 1973
Frank Yoo - 3rd place - 142 lbs - 1972
Paul Azzaniti - 6th place - Unlimited - 1971
Lee Barylski - 5th place - 142 lbs - 1970
 

Boldfaced above indicates a division one all-american.  The remainder are D2 or D3.

[flyingcement]

I meant beneficiary where I said benefactor.  Thanks Bob 

Edited July 6, 2025 by flyingcement

[reversaloffortune]

Div I will be reduced to two conferences and two dozen teams soon.

[ScottishSteel]

I had hoped that legislature that was introduced in, I think the Ohio state congress (maybe?) would get something but I feel nothing came of it

[Owen Rector]

6 hours ago, reversaloffortune said:

Div I will be reduced to two conferences and two dozen teams soon.

Womens wrestling is on the rise which could help prevent programs being cut from title ix, like a lot of sec schools were. But the lack of profit from wrestling is gonna make it hard for most smaller schools to keep it around...

[Owen Rector]

I'm glad Cleveland State was at least able to get a national qualifier with Daniel Bucknavich for their final season.

[Husker_Du]

There were 100 DI programs cut across all sports just in the last few months.

Thankfully just one was wrestling. 

[Husker_Du]

 

[1032004]

Still weird that RAF is using their arena…

[Ragu]

5 hours ago, Husker_Du said:

 

Interesting to see basketball being cut in places. Usually money guaranteed

[Jason Bryant]

That account tracks things a little differently- here is my all division tracker that breaks out the data in several ways - much like I did during COVID.

https://almanac.mattalkonline.com/house

[1032004]

Johnni DiJulius not holding anything back

 

 

 

 

 

[Hilton Head Joe]

I thought they had the money to save Cleveland State? This means they wanted it gone no matter what. So the 2nd best state after PA only has 3 D1 programs. So sad. But when you see all the other sports being cut I am thankful along with additions to women's wrestling. But honestly how does NC have double the amount of D1 programs over OH?? 

[Winners Circle]

14 minutes ago, Hilton Head Joe said:

I thought they had the money to save Cleveland State? This means they wanted it gone no matter what. So the 2nd best state after PA only has 3 D1 programs. So sad. But when you see all the other sports being cut I am thankful along with additions to women's wrestling. But honestly how does NC have double the amount of D1 programs over OH?? 

This was the case a few years ago. But I don't think it still, unfortunately. New Jersey is 2nd. 

[Hilton Head Joe]

45 minutes ago, Winners Circle said:

This was the case a few years ago. But I don't think it still, unfortunately. New Jersey is 2nd. 

I can see that NJ being #2. But dang NC having all those programs and CSU gets the axe. So much history there.

[1032004]

Interesting thread here.  Apparently CSU wrestling was making money.  
 

 

 

[GimJustafan]

what a shame / and a black eye  for the school and sport