Eastern Wrestling Championships

When: March 8

Where: Woodling Gym, Cleveland State

Participating teams: Bloomsburg, Clarion, Cleveland, Edinboro, George Mason, Lock Haven, Rider

The skinny: The venerable conference has altered its look since the tournament last stopped at Cleveland State in 2007. Pitt (ACC) and West Virginia (Big 12) have left for other conferences. George Mason and Rider are new additions. ... Twenty-two spots for the NCAA Division I Championships, which are March 20-22 in Oklahoma City, are at stake. Three wrestlers at 133, 149 and 184 pounds earn automatic spots, an encouraging sign for Madison graduate Nick Montgomery, Cleveland State's starting 149-pounder. Montgomery, a state finalist last year, is 16-10. ...Edinboro is a heavy favorite to capture the team title. The Fighting Scots are led by 2013 NCAA finalist Mitchell Port, who's ranked No. 1 at 141. Seven other Edinboro wrestlers are ranked in the top 20. ...The tournament begins at 10 a.m. The finals are scheduled for 7 p.m.

-- Guy Cipriano | @newsheraldguy