Friday, March 28, 2014

College wrestling a hit on ESPN

Could college wrestling be making a comeback?

A combination of Division I schools dropping the sport, Iowa and Oklahoma State hogging championships, the emergence of other sports such as soccer, lacrosse and hockey, and date conflicts with football and basketball created pessimism about college wrestling's future.

But like its participants, college wrestling has shown resiliency and received this jolt of encouraging news on March 27: the NCAA Division I championships reached a record television audience.

According to an ESPN news release, the four telecasts on ESPNU and two telecasts on ESPN last week reached 8.6 million people. ESPN also attracted 12.8 million on its digital platforms. The finals and semifinals were shown live on ESPN in primetime slots.

Wrestling fans are devoted, so the numbers don't take into account repeat customers, which were likely numerous. On the flip side, wrestling's presence on ESPN likely attracted new fans.

Last week's tournament included many memorable moments, ranging from a tight team race involving Penn State, Minnesota and Oklahoma State to the individual star power provided by athletes such as Ohio State's Logan Stieber and Penn State's Ed Ruth and David Taylor. The generous bonus Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith received for Stieber's accomplishments has kept college wrestling in the news this week. Penn State won its fourth straight team title last week, another sign the sport is expanding from its Midwest nucleus.

Few sports offer the drama wrestling provides. Years of training produce solitary moments, exhausting physical and mental capacities. My wife once compared watching a wrestling meet to viewing a play except nobody knows the outcome. The sport also leaves room for underdogs. An athlete doesn't need to be a high school champion to succeed at the Division I level and small schools such as Edinboro, which finished fifth in the team standings, can compete with major institutions. All of this plays well on television.

This year's rating suggest ESPN will offer more college wrestling next year.

In wrestling terms, consider the development bonus points for a sport that needs some.

-- Guy Cipriano | @newsheraldguy

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Thursday, March 27, 2014

Toledo coach Matt Campbell big fan of Lake County high school football

Matt Campbell begins his third season as Toledo's head football coach on Aug. 30.

The 34-year-old Mount Union graduate has quickly established recruiting roots in at least one Northeast Ohio county.

After practice on March 27, Campbell discussed three players from Northeast Ohio, including two from Lake County in running back Kareem Hunt and defensive end John Stepec.

Hunt played at Willoughby South. Stepec played at Lake Catholic.

When assessing the duo, Campbell made it a point to laud their respective high school coaches.

Campbell said Coach Matt Duffy's system is a big reason why Hunt excelled as a freshman in 2013. Hunt eclipsed 100 rushing yards in five of the Rockets' last six games.

“You look at his head coach in high school," Campbell said. "You come from that program and so much was expected out of you.  He was a lot more mature than a lot of other young men in our football program. I give a lot of credit to Coach Duffy and where he came from, and I certainly appreciate him being ready to go for us because he was certainly a difference-maker for us last year.”

Campbell had similar praise for former Lake Catholic coach Mike Bell, who will coach at Eastlake North in 2014. Stepec was Bell's last Division I recruit at Lake Catholic.

"He's a guy whose career is going to skyrocket as well," Campbell said of Stepec. "Again, you talk about coming from a great high school program, Coach Bell develops players who come into college ready to go. You're getting a first-class player from a first-class high school football program.”

Campbell, a Massillon native, also has a strong relationship with Mentor's Steve Trivisonno. Campbell even brought to Toledo to Mentor for a Friday night practice last spring as a benefit for former Cardinal and Rocket defense lineman Ben Pike's then-fiancee, now-wife, Ashley Barrett, who was battling leukemia.

Toledo didn't land any scholarship players from Lake County in 2014. But it wasn't from a lack of effort or networking.

-- Guy Cipriano | @newsheraldguy

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Wednesday, March 26, 2014

UMass + Mid-American Conference = Disaster

The move never made sense for either side.

UMass, a New England school, joined the Mid-American Conference, which features a Midwest nucleus, as a football-only member in 2012. After two straight 1-11 seasons, the Minutemen have solidified plans to leave the conference.

UMass and the MAC issued a joint announcement on March 26 declaring 2015 as the Minutemen's final season in the conference. UMass tried filling a void when Temple left the MAC to return to the Big East in 2012. The Owls now play in American Athletic Conference.

The only thing UMass created is a hole at the bottom of the conference. The program's lone wins since joining the MAC are against Akron in 2012 and Miami (Ohio) in 2013. Both teams went winless in MAC play. 

Adding UMass hasn't generated interest for the MAC -- or college football -- in New England. The program is averaging 13,590 fans per game since joining the MAC. The Minutemen play in Gillette Stadium, home of the New England Patriots. Coach Charley Molnar was fired after two seasons. His replacement is former Cleveland Browns quarterbacks coach Mark Whipple.

UMass was offered full MAC membership earlier this year. The school declined the offer and will become a football free agent.

"This is not the outcome we anticipated when UMass was admitted as a football-only member," MAC Commissioner Dr. Jon Steinbrecher said in a statement."However, circumstances have changed regarding our football membership and this is a result of those circumstances."

When UMass leaves, the MAC will have 13 football members. Here's some advice for Steinbrecher and university presidents: don't leave your Midwest roots when shopping for a 14th member.

-- Guy Cipriano | @newsheraldguy

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Tuesday, March 25, 2014

Two NCAA team wrestling champions for Ohio in 2015?

Time to ponder the $18,000 question?

We'll get to Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith's bonus for Logan Stieber's third NCAA title later in this post.

For now, let's explore the possibility of two Ohio programs winning NCAA team wrestling titles in 2015.

Notre Dame College will enter the season as the reigning Division II champion. As of now, the Falcons will have three returning national champs: 157-pounder Jonatan Rivera, 174-pounder Joey Davis and 184-pounder Garrett Lineberger. Things are subject to change with Davis, who is being pursued by multiple Division I programs.  

NDC's 2014-15 roster will be stacked. Last week, we examined the Falcons' prowess. Even if Davis leaves, Coach Frank Romano's team should be a prohibitive favorite to repeat in 2015.

Only one team defeated NDC in a dual meet this past season: Division I Ohio State. This brings us to the 2015 Division I team race.

Penn State has won four straight national titles after decades of mixed results. By cultivating abundant wrestling resources, ranging from spectacular donor and fan support to Pennsylvania's deep high school talent base, Coach Cael Sanderson has constructed a dynasty.

But Penn State loses two mega-talents in 165-pounder David Taylor and 184-pounder Ed Ruth. The duo combined for five NCAA individual titles and scored points in bunches. Replacing them is the biggest challenge Sanderson has encountered since arriving at Penn State.

The program best positioned to topple a Penn State lineup without Taylor and Ruth might be one looking for its first NCAA team title. 

Ohio State finished sixth last weekend in Oklahoma City, an encouraging performance considering  Coach Tom Ryan redshirted two four-time Ohio state champions, Nathan Tomasello (125 pounds) and Bo Jordan (165), and All-American 149-pounder Hunter Stieber, Logan Stieber's brother.

Besides Logan Stieber, a 141-pounder who could become the fourth four-time champion in Division I history, Ohio State returns NCAA qualifiers Nick Roberts (125 pounds), Johnni DiJulius (133), Mark Martin (174), Kenny Courts (184) and Nick Tavanello (285). A few returning NCAA qualifiers are in jeopardy of losing their jobs because Ohio State's recruiting class includes three elite talents in Kyle Snyder, Micah Jordan and Thomas Haines. The possibility of producing a four-time NCAA champion and winning a team title in the same season  might convince Ryan to unveil his best lineup in 2014-15.

Snyder, the nation's No. 1 overall recruit according to InterMat, skipped his senior high school season to train at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs. He's projected to replace NCAA finalist Nick Heflin at 197 pounds. Jordan, a four-time Ohio state champion, could start immediately at 157, and Thomas Haines, a four-time Pennsylvania state champion, should immediately challenge Tavanello for the heavyweight spot. Two-time Beachwood state champion Ryan Harris is also part of the Buckeyes' recruiting class.

In a strange twist, NDC's Davis could be a wrestler who decides the 2015 Division I team race. Ohio State and Penn State have expressed interest in Davis, who handled Martin in a dual meet this season. Davis should immediately compete for All-American honors -- and perhaps a national title -- at the Division I level. Oklahoma State, Minnesota, Iowa, Missouri and Cornell are other contenders for the 2015 team title.

Davis hasn't made a decision on his future. His father, Joey Davis Sr., told The News-Herald earlier this month Davis might take a year off from competition in 2014-15.

As Logan Stieber chases his fourth NCAA title and the sport's top programs chase Davis, Smith will be depositing a big check.

Next year's check should be bigger if the Buckeyes win their first NCAA wrestling team title in 2015.

-- Guy Cipriano | @newsheraldguy

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Thursday, March 20, 2014

Notre Dame College, Lake Erie College, Mount Union, rising in Directors' Cup standings

Big winters are helping Notre Dame College and Lake Erie College surge into the top half of the Learfield Sports Directors' Cup standings.

Following its NCAA wrestling triumph, NDC moved to 55th out of 194 Division II schools in standings released March 20. The Falcons have 150 points, with 100 coming via the wrestling title.

The Storm are five spots behind the Falcons in 60th place with 142.5 points. Balance has led to LEC's fast rise. The Storm finished ninth in indoor men's track and field, 24th in men's swimming and 25th in wrestling.

NDC produced five wrestling All-Americans, including four champions, last weekend. LEC produced six All-Americans last weekend, with the track, swimming and wrestling teams each producing two.

Grand Valley State (Mich.), which competes against LEC in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, leads Division II with 718 points. Ashland leads Ohio schools in fourth place with 395.5 points. Grand Valley State, Ashland and LEC are three of 11 GLIAC schools in the top 100.

Points in Division II are awarded based on NCAA finishes in up to 14 sports -- seven men's and seven women's. Final winter standings will be released April 3.

Mount Union leads Ohio in the 234-school Division III standings. The Purple Raiders are in ninth place with 334.5 points. Williams (Mass.) leads the Division III standings with 513.25 points. Baldwin Wallace and John Carroll are 78th and 131st, respectively.

Mount Union received a boost from its men's indoor track and field team, which placed fifth last weekend. Willoughby South grad Sean Donnelly won the weight throw for the Purple Raiders.

Points in Division III are awarded based on NCAA finishes in up to 18 sports -- nine men's and nine women's.

-- Guy Cipriano | @newsheraldguy


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What's next for Ohio Mr. Basketball

Franklin's Luke Kennard received the 2014 Ohio Mr. Basketball award.

No arguing here with the selection. Kennard averaged 41.0 points per game. The total is astounding considering some teams don't regularly eclipse 40 point. Kennard also averaged 10.4 rebounds and 4.0 assists per game.

His list of suitors includes Duke, Ohio State, Kentucky, North Carolina and Michigan. All five programs are participating in the NCAA tournament.

Finding former Ohio Mr. Basketball selections on college rosters represents a chore. Only two players in the club are playing college basketball: Marc Loving (2013) and Justin Fritts (2012).

Loving, who played at Toledo St. John's, averages 4.4 points and 1.8 rebounds per game for Ohio State. The forward has worked his way into Coach Thad Matta's nine-man rotation as a freshman, but he might not crack the 2014-15 starting lineup. The Buckeyes don't have a senior forward on their roster and their 2014 recruiting includes three post players.

Fritts, a star guard from Mentor, recently completed his second season at Division II Wheeling Jesuit. He averaged 18.4 points and a team-high 5.3 assists per game to earn All-Mountain East Conference honorable mention status. Fritts performs double duty at Wheeling Jesuit. He's also a pitcher on the baseball team.

So what happened to other recent Mr. Basketball selections?

Trey Burke, the 2011 selection, is a point guard for the Utah Jazz. Burke, who attended Columbus Northland, turned professional after two outstanding seasons at Michigan. Jared Sullinger, Burke's high school teammate and the 2009 and 2010 winner, played two seasons at Ohio State before getting drafted by the Boston Celtics.

Jon Diebler and William Buford, the 2007 and 2008 selections, played at Ohio State. O.J. Mayo, the 2004 and 2005 selection, plays for the Milwaukee Bucks.

LeBron James was Mr. Basketball from 2001-03. Most would agree he has done OK for himself.

-- Guy Cipriano | @newsheraldguy

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Wednesday, March 19, 2014

NCAA Division I wrestling predictions and Ohio qualifiers

A diversion for those not interested in filling out college basketball brackets...

125:  Nico Megaludis, Penn State, over Jesse Delgado, Illinois

Ohio qualifiers: Kory Mines (Edinboro, Maple Heights); Cory Stainbrook (West Virginia, Walsh Jesuit); Ryan Taylor (Wisconsin, St. Paris Graham); 

133: Tony Ramos, Iowa, over Tyler Graff, Wisconsin

Ohio qualifiers: Johnni DiJulius (Ohio State, Walsh Jesuit); Vicent Pizzuto (Eastern Michigan, Jackson Milton)

141: Logan Stieber, Ohio State, over Mitchell Port, Edinboro

Ohio qualifiers: Edgar Bright (Pitt, St. Edward); Anthony Collica (Oklahoma State, Solon); Logan Stieber (Ohio State, Monroeville)

149: Kendric Maple, Oklahoma, over Chris Villalonga, Cornell

Ohio qualifiers: Tywan Claxton (Ohio University, Brush); David Habat (Edinboro, St. Edward); Zach Neibert (Virginia Tech, St. Paris Graham), Gus Sako (Virginia, St. Edward)

157: Derek St. John, Iowa, over James Green, Nebraska

Ohio qualifiers: Isaac Jordan (Wisconsin, St. Paris Graham); Ian Miller (Kent State, Oak Harbor); Markus Scheidel (Columbia, St. Edward)

165: David Taylor, Penn State, over Tyler Cadwell, Oklahoma State

Ohio qualifiers: Pierce Harger (Northwestern, Moeller); Harrison Hightower (Ohio University, University); Nick Sulzer (Virginia, St. Edward); David Taylor (Penn State, St. Paris Graham); Zach Toal (Missouri, Troy Christian)

174: Chris Perry, Oklahoma State, over Andrew Howe, Oklahoma

Ohio qualifiers: Caleb Marsh (Kent State, Marysville); Mark Martin (Ohio State, St. Edward); Cody Walters (Ohio University, St. Peter Chanel); Bradley Wukie (Penn, University)

184: Ed Ruth, Penn State, over Max Thomusseit, Pitt

Ohio qualifiers: Dominic Abounader (Michigan, St. Edward); Max Thomusseit (Pitt, St. Paris Graham)

197: Scott Schiller, Minnesota, over J'Den Cox, Missouri

Ohio qualifiers: Nick Heflin (Ohio State, Massillon Perry); Phil Wellington (Ohio University, Villa Angela-St. Joseph); 

285: Tony Nelson, Minnesota, over Mike McMullan, Northwestern

Ohio qualifiers: Jeremy Johnson (Ohio University, Brecksville-Broadview Heights); Ty Walz (Virginia, St. Edward); Nick Tavanello (Ohio State, Wadsworth)

Team: 1. Penn State, 2. Minnesota, 3. Iowa, 4. Oklahoma State

-- Guy Cipriano | @newsheraldguy

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Pondering how the Notre Dame College wrestling team would fare in Division I

The question reverberated throughout Public Auditorium last weekend.

How good is the Notre Dame College wrestling team?

The Falcons were the class of Division II, beginning the season No. 1 and ending 4 1/2 grueling months as NCAA team champions. They left little doubt about their status atop the Division II hierarchy by going a combined 8-0 in the finals and semifinals. In short, the final day represented a dream for Coach Frank Romano and his wrestlers.

But let's dream a little more. Let's ponder how the Falcons would fare in Division I.

Only 79 Division I wrestling programs remain. The maximum number of scholarships a program can distribute is 9.9, meaning plenty of talented high school wrestlers are receiving little financial assistance for their athletic abilities. Division II programs are permitted to distribute as many as nine scholarships. Fully funded wrestling programs are dwindling, but a Division II school with a supportive administration such as NDC can offer more athletic much scholarship money than Division I schools with lukewarm support.

The numbers also suggest the talent gap between Divisions I and II isn't as great in wrestling as it is in football, where Division I programs receive 85 compared to 36 for Division II. The difference in basketball is 13-10. Wrestling programs need 10 athletes to fill a starting lineup. Basketball programs need five.

Wrestling programs operate on limited travel budgets, allowing for more interactions between Division I and II programs. NDC wrestled Ohio State, a top-10 Division I program, on Nov. 15 and lost 29-11. The Falcons won three bouts, but neither team was operating at full strength. Since starting wrestling in 2007, NDC is 83-7 in dual meets. Three of their losses are to Ohio State.

Open tournaments give the Falcons another forum to compete with Division I programs. Five Falcons placed at the Cleveland State Open: Joey Davis (first, 174), Maurice Miller (second 141), Brandonn Johnson (third, 197), Marty Carlson (fourth, 133) and Brian Hauser (sixth, 125). Eric Burgey, who became a two-time national champion last weekend, wasn't in the Falcons' lineup.

The results are impressive. But the backgrounds of NDC's national qualifiers might be the best way to gauge the program's strength. The Falcons recruit nationally.

Three of NDC's nine national qualifiers -- Andrew Bannister (VMI), Carlson (Utah Valley) and  Johnson (Kent State) -- started their careers at Division I schools. Burgey was NAIA champion before arriving at NDC. Davis, a California native who is 72-0, was considered a big-time recruit who landed at NDC for academic reasons. Freshman Garrett Lineberger (Maryland) and Jonatan Rivera (Georgia) were Dave Schultz Award recipients for their respective states as high school seniors. Senior 125-pounder Brian Hauser (Brush) and junior 141-pounder Maurice Miller (Canton McKinley) were the only Ohio natives in the NCAA tournament lineup.

More talent is either in or headed to South Euclid. Former Massillon Perry state champ Sam White has transferred from Illinois to NDC. White was one of the nation's top 125-pound recruits as a high school senior. Tony Dailey, a Massillon Perry standout who won a state title earlier this month, is part of the incoming recruiting class.

Few Division I programs besides Ohio State are willing to wrestle NDC in a dual meet, a fact that bothers Romano. Still, enough evidence exists to determine that the Falcons would be a competitive Division I program.

How competitive?

The guess here is somewhere in the top 35.

-- Guy Cipriano | @newsheraldguy

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Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Historic times for Lake Erie College athletics

Lake Erie College is reveling in the best weekend in its Division II history.

The Storm produced six NCAA Division II All-Americans in three different sports last weekend, including the first two-time national champ in school history.  

Senior Jamil Dudley further solidified his place in school history by winning the high jump at the NCAA Division II Indoor Track and Field Championships in Winston Salem, N.C. Dudley cleared 7 feet, 1 inches. The Massillon native also won the 2012 NCAA outdoor title in his specialty. Dudley is now a seven-time All-American.

The Storm almost returned from North Carolina with two national champs. Junior Joe Postwaite finished second in the triple jump with a leap of 51-6 1/4.  St. Augustine's DeJon Wilkinson won the title by jumping 51-10.

Dudley and Postwaite led the Storm to a school-record ninth-place finish in the team standings. The finish was the highest in school history at an NCAA Division II championship.

Closer to home, LEC produced two wrestling All-Americans for the first time in school history, as senior 157-pounder Zak Vargo and freshman 197-pounder Evan Rosborough placed fifth and eighth, respectively, during the NCAA Division II Championships at Public Auditorium in Cleveland. The duo helped the Storm finish 25th in the team standings. Rosborough, a Riverside graduate, will enter next season as an NCAA title contender.

Even closer to campus, senior Julian Milinkovskyi became a two-time All-American in the same swimming meet. Milinkovskyi finished sixth in the 200 breaststroke and eighth in the 400 individual medley during the NCAA Division II Men's Swimming and Diving Championships at SPIRE Institute in Geneva. Milinkovskyi led the Storm to a 24th-place finish.

LEC produced All-Americans in three sports for a third straight winter. But when winter championship season begins next March, LEC athletes will have a difficult act to follow.

-- Guy Cipriano | @newsheraldguy

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Wednesday, March 12, 2014

University, VASJ and Brush will be represented in NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships

Brush grad Tywan Claxton had to fret.

University grads Harrison Hightower and BradleyWukie and VASJ grad Phil Wellington slept easy the past three nights.

Claxton became the fourth wrestler from an area high school to reach the NCAA Division I Wrestling Championships when he learned March 12 that he received an at-large bid at 149 pounds. Claxton (26-7), an Ohio University junior, entered waiting mode when he fell in a "true" fourth-place bout at the MAC Championships on March 11.

The NCAA Championships are March 20-22 in Oklahoma City. Claxton has never qualified for the tournament.

In fact, three of the four qualifiers from area high schools will be making their NCAA debuts.

Wellington, an Ohio University sophomore, is the lone NCAA veteran in the group. He qualified for his second national tournament by finishing second in the MAC. Wellington (33-3) received the eighth seed in what could be an unpredictable 197-pound bracket.

Hightower (31-11), a junior and three-time state champ at University, also wrestles for Ohio. He claimed his first NCAA spot by finishing second in the MAC at 165.

Wukie (14-8), a University of Pennsylvania senior, needed the best tournament of his life to earn his NCAA spot. Seeded eighth at 174 pounds, Wukie reached the EIWA finals last weekend.

NCAA wrestling brackets

-- Guy Cipriano | @newsheraldguy

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Bo Pelini digs the Cleveland Indians

Look out Urban Meyer. You might have competition for the title of biggest Indians fan among Big Ten football coaches.

Nebraska baseball coach Darin Erstad, who played 14 season in the major leagues, received an interesting call from a fan named "Bo in Lincoln" during his radio show Tuesday. The fan happened to be the most popular -- or embattled -- man in perhaps the entire state: Nebraska football coach Bo Pelini.

Erstad quickly put the name and voice together and chuckled. Pelini then asked Erstad about the Indians' World Series chances. Pelini had good reason for asking the question. He's a Youngstown native who remains connected to Ohio.

Like many baseball savants, Erstad respects Indians manager Terry Francona. But Erstad isn't ready to consider Francona's team World Series contenders.

"I would say the Cleveland Indians have an outside shot of winning the entire thing," Erstad said in response to Pelini's question. "I would have to say Cleveland Indians fans are the most loyal fans because they have nothing to cheer for over so many years and people that cheer for them I tip my hat. They have to be huge fans of Mr. Francona because he's done a great job. I'm pulling for them. I hope they do great. But I would be shocked if they get to the playoffs."

Pelini didn't seem enthused by Erstad's answer.

"You rain on my parade," Pelini said.

At least the fiery Pelini didn't unload on Erstad and the duo completed their impromptu segment without peeving the FCC.

If the Indians are seeking celebrities to throw out first pitches in 2014, Pelini might be a good fit. Pelini is looking to improve his image after some serious public relations flops in 2013 and he will likely be passing through Ohio for recruiting purposes.

Meyer, an Asthtabula native, threw out a first pitch in 2012. Pelini wouldn't incite the same cheers. But the Indians promote their fans' passion, and few men display as much on a regular basis as "Bo from Lincoln."

-- Guy Cipriano | @newsheraldguy

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What's next for Francisco Lindor and Tyler Naquin

The expected happened March 12.

The Indians started trimming their roster and reassigned prospects Francisco Lindor and Tyler Naquin to minor-league camp. Some might say the Indians cut the duo. In this case, cut is the wrong term.

Neither Lindor nor Naquin were competing for a major-league job. They arrived to Arizona early to receive extra work, mingle with veterans, participate in games against established players and interact with Manager Terry Francona and his staff.

Both players posted respectable numbers. Lindor appeared in eight games and hit .267 in 15 at-bats. Naquin appeared in 13 games and hit .231 in 13 at-bats.

Lindor and Naquin will now rejoin their peers and position themselves for 2014. Triple-A Columbus is a possible starting point, although both players have limited Double-A experience.  Lindor, 20, appeared in 21 games at Akron, three more than Naquin, in 2013.

Will both, one or neither prospect begin the season in Columbus? Consider this the biggest question in minor-league camp.

-- Guy Cipriano | @newsheraldguy

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Friday, March 7, 2014

Previewing the Mid-American Conference Wrestling Championships at Kent State

Mid-American Conference Wrestling Championships

When: March 8-9

Where: M.A.C. Center, Kent State

Participating teams:  Buffalo, Central Michigan, Eastern Michigan, Kent State, Missouri, Northern Illinois, Northern Iowa, Ohio University, Old Dominion

The skinny: Yes, Missouri, Northern Iowa and Old Dominion are in the MAC -- for at least one sport. The trio has bolstered the conference's wrestling profile, with the MAC receiving 41 automatic spots to the NCAA Division I Championships. The Big Ten (74) and Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association (47) are the lone conferences with more automatic qualifiers. ... Two area wrestlers are a big part of resurgent Ohio University's success. Sophomore Phil Wellington (VASJ) is the No. 1 seed at 197 pounds. Junior Harrison Hightower (University) is seeded third at 165. Six MAC teams received votes in the final USA Today/NWCA/AWN Top 25. Northern Iowa went 13-0 and ended the regular season ranked fifth. Missouri went 10-2 to earn the No. 9 ranking. ...The tournament begins at noon March 8. The finals are 1:20 p.m. March 9.

-- Guy Cipriano | @newsherladguy

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Previewing the Eastern Wrestling Championships at Cleveland State

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

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Thursday, March 6, 2014

Five Northeast Ohio college players to watch this spring

Division I and II college football programs begin spring drills this month. Here are five players from area high schools who can position themselves for big seasons by taking advantage of the 15 allotted practices:

Nick Cuthbert (West Geauga, So., Kent State, S): Cuthbert was forced to sit out last season after transferring from Georgia Tech to Kent State. The former All-Ohio selection who accumulated tackles in bunches at West Geauga could be a major part of the Golden Flashes' plans after steady practice work throughout 2013.

Mitchel Hokavar (Perry, Jr., QB, Lake Erie College): Lake Erie College returns many key pieces from an exciting, high-scoring offense. But losing dependable and underrated quarterback Brendan Gallagher stings. Hokavar will compete with sophomore John Banyasz for first-team reps. The winner of the derby could produce some gaudy 2014 numbers.

Mitch Trubisky (Mentor, Fr., QB, North Carolina): Trubisky has entered the biggest competition of his storied career. After redshirting last season, the former Ohio Mr. Football is competing with junior Marquise Williams for the job vacated by three-year starter Bryan Renner. Losing ground in the spring could place Trubisky in a tough spot. The Tar Heels' recruiting class includes four-star Virginia quarterback Caleb Henderson.

John Stepec (Lake Catholic, So., Toledo, DE): Toledo returns one starting defensive end, but loses a starter and backup on the opposite side. Stepec, a leading candidate to seize the open spot, worked his way into the two-deep last season. Stepec attended Toledo with hopes of contributing early in his career. He could be primed to meet his objective.

Colton Wallace (Mentor, Sr., Notre Dame College, WR): A lingering hamstring injury bothered Wallace throughout 2013. With Jack Foy, the Mountain East Conference's leading receiver, gone, Wallace should be a major part of the Falcons' offensive plans if he's healthy.

-- Guy Cipriano | @newsheraldguy

Wednesday, March 5, 2014

How top Cleveland Indians prospects are faring in spring training

A look at how some of the Indians' top prospects are performing through one week of Cactus League games:

Francisco Lindor (SS, Baseball American No. 1):  The 20-year-old Lindor is a year away from competing for a job out of spring training. But he's 2-for-8 with a homer. The more major-league at-bats this spring, the better for Lindor, who's defensively ready to play at the highest level. Expect all of his at-bats to be scrutinized next spring.

Trevor Bauer (RHP, BA No. 3):  His early spring numbers are shaky. Bauer has allowed two runs, two walks and two hits in three innings. He's involved in the crowded competition for the fifth-starter spot, so his spring numbers are important.

Tyler Naquin (CF, BA No. 4): A season where Naquin can establish himself as a potential major-league regular has started with him going 2-for-6 with a homer. He has more walks (four) than strikeouts (two), an encouraging sign for a 22-year-old who appears headed to Double-A Akron.

Carlos Moncrief (OF, BA No. 14): His pitching days are over, but Moncrief's push for a spot in Cleveland is becoming serious. He's 2-for-9, but he could stick in major-league camp longer than other prospects because he's conquered every level of the minors besides Triple-A.

Joe Wendle (2B, BA No. 17): One of the most underrated players in the system, Wendle had a game-winning hit March 4 against the Chicago White Sox. His 11 at-bats are tied for the most among the 31 position players who have batted this spring. He has two hits.

Related content

Playing for a struggling team has helped prized prospect Francisco Lindor

Bauer doesn't have history on his side with Tribe

Tyler Naquin makes adjustments to boost power

Joe Wendle could be hidden gem in Tribe's farm system

-- Guy Cipriano | @newsherladguy

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