MHS wrestler impacted by Cleveland State’s decision to drop sport

Switching gears can be hard to deal with, especially in the middle of a sports season.

That is what Marysville High School senior wrestler Carson Mize has had to deal with when he discovered his soon-to-be college program would nø longer be in operation.

Marysville’s Carson Mize (left) makes a single leg takedown on a Hilliard Darby opponent during a regular-season dual meet this season. The senior Monarch re-opened his college recruitment after discovering Cleveland State University has plans to drop its Division I program.

(Journal-Tribune photo by Aleksei Pavloff)

Cleveland State University officially announced the move to discontinue three of its NCAA athletic programs after the board of trustees meeting on Jan. 23.

The decision, according to the university, will allow wrestling, women’s golf and softball to continue until the end of the current academic school year.

After that, those programs will be disbanded.

In a statement by CSU published the same day as the trustees meeting, the institution said the move was made to “address budgetary shortfalls across the University.”

“I’m sick to my stomach and heartbroken for these young men and coaches,” former two-time UFC heavyweight champion and CSU wrestler Stipe Miocic said on Instagram.

“One of the oldest sports at Cleveland State University — wrestling — is being cut… My heart goes out to everyone affected by this decision.”

One local wrestler was in fact impacted by the decision.

Mize originally committed to the Vikings’ program on Oct. 2, 2024.

He then proceeded to put his name to paper during one of MHS’ college signing days in mid-November.

At the time, he was happy to get the college recruitment and commitment out of the way in order to focus on his 2024-25 high school season.

It was not until Thursday, Jan. 23, when the news of CSU’s program made its way to Mize.

“I got a text from one of my buddies up there and then I got a text from a separate university coach,” Mize said.

Mize said that coach sent his condolences for the CSU program and added he was open to recruiting the senior Monarch.

“I then heard from my Cleveland State coach, all in a matter of like five minutes,” he said.

The social media world also broke the word that CSU’s program would be discontinued roughly 15 minutes later.

All the buzz occurred around mid-Thursday afternoon prior to the start of Marysville’s dual meet that day against Thomas Worthington.

“It was kind of a shell shock,” Mize said. “I couldn’t grasp it at the time.

“Even that day, I was looking at applying for housing and stuff,” he said. “Then I saw the news and was like ‘maybe I’m glad I didn’t do that.’”

Switching gears in recruiting is not an uncommon occurance.

However, in Mize’s unique case of his prospects being re-opened was not a personal decision.

The senior has been balancing the world of college recruitment along with making sure his senior year on the high school mat ends on a high note.

“I’m just managing my time,” Mize said. “I have a list of things (including other college prospects) I need to set out to do…most of the time I get it done.”

The time management has worked in Mize’s favor. He already plans to visit several colleges at the conclusion of his senior season.

The Monarch said he intends on visiting PennWest Edinboro (Division I), the University of Findlay (Division II), Ashland University (Division II) and Glenville State University (Division II).

“I am excited to get back into it and find a new place to call home,” Mize said.