CLEVELAND -- The top-ranked Notre Dame Falcons took their show on the road Saturday: it was a short trip to the Cleveland State Open, where NDC grapplers squared off against a number of top competitors from all levels of wrestling in the Midwest. (Results)

Notre Dame -- the No. 1 team in NAIA Wrestling (NAIA Coaches' Poll) -- sent several varsity grapplers to the event, which was held as CSU's Woodling Gymnasium. A number of Falcon wrestlers also competed unattached. Both groups of Falcon athletes performed well at the tournament, and the team returned to South Euclid with multiple placers.

Among athletes wrestling attached, NDC earned top-6 placement in three weight divisions: #Ashtin Primus# placed sixth at 149 pounds; #Cody Butzer# placed fifth at 174; and #Alex Denman# earned sixth at 184. All three picked up a trio of wins on the day.

The Blue & White will close out their 2010 calendar year next week at the two-day (Dec. 18-19) Midwest Classic in Indianapolis. The tournament will feature 24 teams from NCAA Divisions II and III and the NAIA. The Midwest Classic figures to be a solid test for Notre Dame grapplers, with one third (eight) of those 24 squads being ranked heading into this weekend.