DEPARTMENT HIGHLIGHTS LACROSSE JOINS ASUN The 2022 season marked a first for Cleveland State Lacrosse, as the Vikings competed as a conference member for the first time in their six year history. Cleveland State joined the ASUN as an affiliate member in July of 2021, and was part of a six-team field for the 2022 campaign. Cleveland State’s first ASUN contest came on Saturday, April 2, when the Vikings traveled to Bellarmine to kickoff the five-game ASUN season. Following their inaugural season, the Vikings earned multiple conference accolades, including Gannon Matthews earning Freshman of the Year honors.
FENCING JOINS CENTRAL COLLEGIATE CONFERENCE Prior to the 2021-22 season, what was formerly known as the Midwest Conference became the Central Collegiate Fencing Conference, with Cleveland State competing as one of four teams in the competitive conference. During the first season of competition as the CCFC, Cleveland State’s men’s team finished second at the conference championships, while the women’s team placed third, combining for seven All-Conference accolades.
WRESTLING CAPTURES FIRST-EVER INDIVIDUAL MAC TITLE In Cleveland State’s third year competing as an affiliate member of the Mid-American Conference, wrestling picked up its first individual title at the 2022 MAC Championships, as junior Ben Smith brought home the crown at 197-pounds. Third-seeded Smith picked up a 7-2 decision against Lock Haven in the quarterfinals and a 6-3 decision against Kent State in the semifinals, before capturing the title by pinning the top seed from Clarion in 2:07.
HORIZON LEAGUE SUCCESS Cleveland State also continued its success in the Horizon League - the Vikings’ primary athletic conference - finishing third in the 2021-22 McCafferty Trophy standings (leaguewide all-sports trophy). The Vikings captured regular season titles in men’s basketball and women’s tennis, while advancing to the championship contests in men’s soccer and women’s basketball. Overall for the year, the Vikings combined for 75+ Horizon League victories and 12 tournament appearances.
