Sophomore Cheza making most of opportunity

---

Tweet

David Cheza, a 149-pound sophomore on the MSU wrestling team, has posted a 5-5 record and currently is ranked No. 14 nationally in the 149-pound weight class.

A successful prep wrestler at Grand Blanc High School, Cheza also earned All-American honors at 140 pounds as a high school senior.

Cheza and the rest of the MSU wrestling team will compete in the Spartan Duals at 11 a.m. Saturday at Jenison Field House.

Earlier this week, The State News caught up with Cheza to get to know more about him both on and off the mat.

The State News: What’s on your iPod before a match?

David Cheza: I don’t really listen to music. I don’t bring an iPod with me to my meets or any duals. I just try to think about my match.

SN: Is there anything you do to get yourself pumped up?

DC: I just go through the things I want to do in my match and I go through the match in my head.

SN: What do you like to eat before a match?

DC: Fluids are more important to me than eating. I’m really thirsty, usually, after I weigh in. I like to get 20 ounces of Gatorade in me and a good bottle of water in me. I usually have a banana, a bagel maybe. Something light; I don’t eat too much though.

SN: Why did you choose MSU?

DC: When I was being recruited by many different universities I narrowed it down to staying in Michigan. From that, narrowed it down to Michigan, Central Michigan or here. On my visit here I really enjoyed the team. I enjoyed the camaraderie they shared. They were tight-knit and they get along well and I really liked that.

SN: Who’s the funniest guy on the team?

DC: They’re all characters. I would have to say (sophomore heavyweight Joe Rizqallah) he’s got a pretty funny character to him. He’s always picking on guys and thinking he’s big and bad. We all give him a hard time sometimes. Kyle Bounds ((157-pound senior) is a pretty funny guy as well.

SN: What is s your favorite class?

DC: I’m really into psychology classes. I guess I would have to say that PSY 280, Abnormal Psychology, is a very interesting class to me. I like to learn about the human mind. I would have to say that’s a pretty memorable class; it was pretty enjoyable for me.

SN: What’s your favorite movie or genre of movie?

DC: I like comedy and action, but I would have to say “Dumb and Dumber” is my favorite.

---