Vikings wrestling prepares for an exciting new season

After last season’s accomplishments, the team has a lot to look forward to this year, including a potential return to the NCAA Championships

Let’s get ready to rumble! Vikings wrestling is on the way. The Vikings will travel to Piscataway, New Jersey to visit Rutgers University on Nov. 7 where they will compete in a tri-match which also includes Binghamton and NJCU. They will kick off the 2021-22 season when they host Purdue for the home opener on Nov. 14. 

The team will end the month of November at the Navy Classic on Nov. 20. Cleveland State University will host their first CSU Open on Dec. 11. Before the holidays the team will travel to West Virginia to face off against Chattanooga and WV. The team will then compete at the Ken Kraft Midlands Championships to end 2021 and kick off 2022 with back-to-back matches on the road against Kent State and Clarion. 

Finally, those who are looking to get their fill of Vikings wrestling will get that wish granted. The team will return home mid-January and compete in four straight home matches facing Edinboro, Rider, Navy and to cap the home stretch the Vikings will host the Ohio Bobcats.

Redshirt sophomore Marcus Robinson gets an opponent down on the mat. Photo courtesy of Vikings Athletics

Who should Vikings fans be excited to watch? One to keep an eye on is sophomore Marcus Robinson. The Mid-American Conference named Robinson the Distinguished Scholar Athlete for 2020-2021 as well as a NWCA Scholar All-American and a MAC All-Academic honoree.

Last season was the first time in the school’s history that Cleveland State has had three or more student-athletes qualify for the NWCA Scholar All-American with fellow sophomore teammates DeAndre Nassar and Riley Smucker also achieving the honor. 

At CSU, Robinson was placed on the dean’s list, ending the year with a cumulative GPA of 3.75. Transitioning to the mat, the redshirt sophomore was 8-6 last season with a 3-1 dual record and 2-0 in his conference matches. If all that wasn’t enough, Robinson also qualified for the NCAA Championship at the 149 weight class. He will be one of the bright stars to watch as wrestling prepares to get its season underway.