The #2 ranked Buckeye wrestling team defeated the #19 ranked Wisconsin Badgers in their home opener today at St John Arena 23-13.
Results:
125 lbs | No. 20 Connor Brown (Wisconsin) def. Brakan Mead (Ohio State) | D, 7-2;
Team Score: 0-3
133 lbs | No. 7 Luke Pletcher (Ohio State) def. Jenz Lantz (Wisconsin) | D, 4-0;
TS: 3-3
141 lbs | No. 2 Joey McKenna (Ohio State) def. No. 12 Tristan Moran (Wisconsin) | MD, 14-2;
TS: 7-3
149 lbs | No. 3 Micah Jordan (Ohio State) def. No. 18 Cole Martin (Wisconsin) | MD, 14-4;
TS: 11-3
157 lbs | Zander Wick (Wisconsin) def. Elijah Cleary (Ohio State) | D, 7-3;
TS: 11-6
165 lbs | No. 2 Evan Wick (Wisconsin) def. Ryan Ferro (Ohio State) | MD, 13-1;
TS: 11-10
*Ohio State deducted one team point because of unsportsmanlike conduct (bench) during 174-lbs bout
174 lbs | Ethan Smith (Ohio State) def. No. 9 Ryan Christensen (Wisconsin) | D, 10-9;
TS: 13-10
184 lbs | No. 1 Myles Martin (Ohio State) def. Mason Reinhardt (Wisconsin) | MD, 21-8;
TS: 17-10
197 lbs | No. 3 Kollin Moore (Ohio State) def. Andrew Salemme (Wisconsin) | PIN, 2:04;
TS: 23-10
285 lbs | No. 9 Trent Hillger (Wisconsin) def. No. 14 Chase Singletary (Ohio State) | D, 6-1;
TS: 23-13
The highlight of the day for the Bucks, who are battling the injury bug at multiple weights, was the come from behind win at 174 by Ethan Smith, who took down #9 Ryan Christenson in a 10-9 thriller.
Christenson’s only 2 losses heading into this match included a very respectable 13-8 decision to defending 174 champ Zahid Valencia at the SIEU Invitational tournament....very impressive win by the young 174 pounder Ethan Smith.
Besides Smith, the Buckeyes picked up another decision with Luke Pletcher at 133, added Major Decision wins by Joey McKenna (141), Micah Jordan (149), Myles Martin (184), and finished up their scoring via Pin at 197 by Kollin Moore.
The Buckeyes are battling injuries to key starters:
157: Ke’Shawn Hayes
165: Kaleb Romero
174: Te’Shawn Campbell.
Buckeye Heavyweight Chase Singletary, a Redshirt Freshman, is becoming the early season enigma for this squad. He exploded out of the gates and looked the part of a top 10 wrestler at Cliff Keen, and then was injured late in that tournament and looked today more like the wrestler who lost his early season wrestle off to backup HWY Gary Traub.
On a positive note, it was good to see Singletary wrestle at all tonight, as it was feared he may have been injured seriously via Missouri’s HWY Zac Elam’s Bow in arrow.... which ultimately got Singletary both pinned and helped off the mat at Cliff Keen.
It’s definitely worth noting and mentioning the depth Tom Ryan, and especially Ace Recruiter/Roster Management expert Anthony Ralph, has established and built in the room.
In years past, a backup called on to wrestle had no chance against the Buckeyes schedule and competition, and that’s if they (Ohio State) had one to even send out respectable enough to not just take the forfeit.
These present day Buckeyes are littered with 2 deep talent at almost every weight, along with blue chippers waiting in the wings in redshirt.
Truly an amazing job in that regard.
Speaking to this, Elijah Cleary stepped in at 157 in the place of the banged up KeShawn Hayes and did not win, but kept the match to respectable loss via decision. Cleary has been impressive so far this season for the Bucks, and has a win over Michigan’s Will Lewan who has 2 wins over Alec Panteleo already this year. (You will never see the transitive property used more than you do with college wrestling)..
Cleary’s result today may not sound like that is very important on the surface, but it’s invaluable to be competitive with your teams’ depth and backups not only for team scoring purposes, but most importantly, keeping the competition at practice and in the room at its highest levels at all times.
Because of this new found competition, it’s not a given like in years past that starters will keep and have their starting positions locked in...there is a guy at every weight looking for their shot and each starter’s spot.
Senior Te’Shan Campbell could potentially fall first victim to this... he’s banged up and his ‘backup’ Ethan Smith, only a redshirt freshman, just stepped up and knocked off a top 10 kid at his weight.
Keep an eye out for 174 moving forward.
Regarding the Bucks killer M’s
( McKenna/Micah/Myles/Moore)...
I predict 3 of the 4 win titles this year. Only one who I don’t have winning is Moore, and that’s because Buckeye Killer Bo Nickal moved up to 197.
For the Bucks, this could end up being addition by subtraction because although Nickal’s move up presents a giant roadblock for Moore’s attempt at a title at 197, it also cleared out the 184 class which now has made Myles Martin a giant favorite to win his second title now at 184.
After watching Moore avenge his Kyle Conel losses and absolutely destroy him over the summer in freestyle, I have Moore the clear #2 at this weight now. He has a shot though, no doubt about it.
Knowing Tom Ryan, I think Malik Heinselman’s redshirt is taken off post -January, and 125 goes from a gigantic lineup hole to All American potential. Heinselman owns a win over top 10 Rayvon Foley, so the ability is there.
Luke Pletcher at 133 has fallen victim to the Spencer Lee plague at 125. Everyone and their brother bolted from the 125 class to avoid the once in a generation type talent in Lee at 125, and now 133 as a result is ABSOLUTELY LOADED. An All American finish would be a heck of an accomplishment for Pletcher at this point, anything top 4 like last year will be amazing.
The other realistic All American candidate is KeShawn Hayes at 157. Poor kid now 2 years in a row has been sent to a weight he wasn’t at with wrestle offs, with last year losing the 141 spot to McKenna forcing him to bump up to 149, and now this year with Micah Jordan taking the 149 spot and Hayes forced to bump up to 157.
The positive to this for Hayes is he can enjoy eating food this season, while taking the occasional lump by some bigger, stronger guys this year at this weight. Because of Hayes team first dedication he’s shown, I’m hoping and praying the kid gets rewarded a 6th year of eligibility to allow him to compete for a national title at his best, most competitive weight from day 1. He should get his first shot at it next season once Micah Jordan graduates. Hopefully for Hayes, he gets a second opportunity if he’s granted an additional 6th year.
Good luck finding out exactly how those 6th seasons are rewarded... we’ve all read the language. But the NCAA has been handing out 6th years like candy as of late and Haye’s could become a beneficiary of this as well. (See Gravina/Mikulus/Ashnault/Moisey list goes on).
Make no mistake, Penn State is still the easy favorite this year... and could yield yet another historical national tournament team come March.
In saying that, anything can happen and maybe things don’t go Penn States way entirely this year come said national tournament time.....Ohio State will be right there if that happens.
For as dominant Penn State appears to have been as of late, many seem to forget these Buckeyes, not Penn State, have actually won the Big and were league champs in 2015, 2017, and last year 2018! Tom Ryan has also been coach of the year those seasons.
The Bucks will need contributions from 125 and at least a round of 12 performance at HWY from Chase Singletary to be in the conversation. If Ethan Smith takes over 174 and catches fire, you never know what can happen.
This will be a very exciting team and season to follow none the less.
Next time I’ll do an overview of this team’s future... go in depth with who we have waiting in the wings already on the roster, in redshirt, on their way, and top targets we should be recruiting to come aboard.
Future is bright!
Results:
125 lbs | No. 20 Connor Brown (Wisconsin) def. Brakan Mead (Ohio State) | D, 7-2;
Team Score: 0-3
133 lbs | No. 7 Luke Pletcher (Ohio State) def. Jenz Lantz (Wisconsin) | D, 4-0;
TS: 3-3
141 lbs | No. 2 Joey McKenna (Ohio State) def. No. 12 Tristan Moran (Wisconsin) | MD, 14-2;
TS: 7-3
149 lbs | No. 3 Micah Jordan (Ohio State) def. No. 18 Cole Martin (Wisconsin) | MD, 14-4;
TS: 11-3
157 lbs | Zander Wick (Wisconsin) def. Elijah Cleary (Ohio State) | D, 7-3;
TS: 11-6
165 lbs | No. 2 Evan Wick (Wisconsin) def. Ryan Ferro (Ohio State) | MD, 13-1;
TS: 11-10
*Ohio State deducted one team point because of unsportsmanlike conduct (bench) during 174-lbs bout
174 lbs | Ethan Smith (Ohio State) def. No. 9 Ryan Christensen (Wisconsin) | D, 10-9;
TS: 13-10
184 lbs | No. 1 Myles Martin (Ohio State) def. Mason Reinhardt (Wisconsin) | MD, 21-8;
TS: 17-10
197 lbs | No. 3 Kollin Moore (Ohio State) def. Andrew Salemme (Wisconsin) | PIN, 2:04;
TS: 23-10
285 lbs | No. 9 Trent Hillger (Wisconsin) def. No. 14 Chase Singletary (Ohio State) | D, 6-1;
TS: 23-13
The highlight of the day for the Bucks, who are battling the injury bug at multiple weights, was the come from behind win at 174 by Ethan Smith, who took down #9 Ryan Christenson in a 10-9 thriller.
Christenson’s only 2 losses heading into this match included a very respectable 13-8 decision to defending 174 champ Zahid Valencia at the SIEU Invitational tournament....very impressive win by the young 174 pounder Ethan Smith.
Besides Smith, the Buckeyes picked up another decision with Luke Pletcher at 133, added Major Decision wins by Joey McKenna (141), Micah Jordan (149), Myles Martin (184), and finished up their scoring via Pin at 197 by Kollin Moore.
The Buckeyes are battling injuries to key starters:
157: Ke’Shawn Hayes
165: Kaleb Romero
174: Te’Shawn Campbell.
Buckeye Heavyweight Chase Singletary, a Redshirt Freshman, is becoming the early season enigma for this squad. He exploded out of the gates and looked the part of a top 10 wrestler at Cliff Keen, and then was injured late in that tournament and looked today more like the wrestler who lost his early season wrestle off to backup HWY Gary Traub.
On a positive note, it was good to see Singletary wrestle at all tonight, as it was feared he may have been injured seriously via Missouri’s HWY Zac Elam’s Bow in arrow.... which ultimately got Singletary both pinned and helped off the mat at Cliff Keen.
It’s definitely worth noting and mentioning the depth Tom Ryan, and especially Ace Recruiter/Roster Management expert Anthony Ralph, has established and built in the room.
In years past, a backup called on to wrestle had no chance against the Buckeyes schedule and competition, and that’s if they (Ohio State) had one to even send out respectable enough to not just take the forfeit.
These present day Buckeyes are littered with 2 deep talent at almost every weight, along with blue chippers waiting in the wings in redshirt.
Truly an amazing job in that regard.
Speaking to this, Elijah Cleary stepped in at 157 in the place of the banged up KeShawn Hayes and did not win, but kept the match to respectable loss via decision. Cleary has been impressive so far this season for the Bucks, and has a win over Michigan’s Will Lewan who has 2 wins over Alec Panteleo already this year. (You will never see the transitive property used more than you do with college wrestling)..
Cleary’s result today may not sound like that is very important on the surface, but it’s invaluable to be competitive with your teams’ depth and backups not only for team scoring purposes, but most importantly, keeping the competition at practice and in the room at its highest levels at all times.
Because of this new found competition, it’s not a given like in years past that starters will keep and have their starting positions locked in...there is a guy at every weight looking for their shot and each starter’s spot.
Senior Te’Shan Campbell could potentially fall first victim to this... he’s banged up and his ‘backup’ Ethan Smith, only a redshirt freshman, just stepped up and knocked off a top 10 kid at his weight.
Keep an eye out for 174 moving forward.
Regarding the Bucks killer M’s
( McKenna/Micah/Myles/Moore)...
I predict 3 of the 4 win titles this year. Only one who I don’t have winning is Moore, and that’s because Buckeye Killer Bo Nickal moved up to 197.
For the Bucks, this could end up being addition by subtraction because although Nickal’s move up presents a giant roadblock for Moore’s attempt at a title at 197, it also cleared out the 184 class which now has made Myles Martin a giant favorite to win his second title now at 184.
After watching Moore avenge his Kyle Conel losses and absolutely destroy him over the summer in freestyle, I have Moore the clear #2 at this weight now. He has a shot though, no doubt about it.
Knowing Tom Ryan, I think Malik Heinselman’s redshirt is taken off post -January, and 125 goes from a gigantic lineup hole to All American potential. Heinselman owns a win over top 10 Rayvon Foley, so the ability is there.
Luke Pletcher at 133 has fallen victim to the Spencer Lee plague at 125. Everyone and their brother bolted from the 125 class to avoid the once in a generation type talent in Lee at 125, and now 133 as a result is ABSOLUTELY LOADED. An All American finish would be a heck of an accomplishment for Pletcher at this point, anything top 4 like last year will be amazing.
The other realistic All American candidate is KeShawn Hayes at 157. Poor kid now 2 years in a row has been sent to a weight he wasn’t at with wrestle offs, with last year losing the 141 spot to McKenna forcing him to bump up to 149, and now this year with Micah Jordan taking the 149 spot and Hayes forced to bump up to 157.
The positive to this for Hayes is he can enjoy eating food this season, while taking the occasional lump by some bigger, stronger guys this year at this weight. Because of Hayes team first dedication he’s shown, I’m hoping and praying the kid gets rewarded a 6th year of eligibility to allow him to compete for a national title at his best, most competitive weight from day 1. He should get his first shot at it next season once Micah Jordan graduates. Hopefully for Hayes, he gets a second opportunity if he’s granted an additional 6th year.
Good luck finding out exactly how those 6th seasons are rewarded... we’ve all read the language. But the NCAA has been handing out 6th years like candy as of late and Haye’s could become a beneficiary of this as well. (See Gravina/Mikulus/Ashnault/Moisey list goes on).
Make no mistake, Penn State is still the easy favorite this year... and could yield yet another historical national tournament team come March.
In saying that, anything can happen and maybe things don’t go Penn States way entirely this year come said national tournament time.....Ohio State will be right there if that happens.
For as dominant Penn State appears to have been as of late, many seem to forget these Buckeyes, not Penn State, have actually won the Big and were league champs in 2015, 2017, and last year 2018! Tom Ryan has also been coach of the year those seasons.
The Bucks will need contributions from 125 and at least a round of 12 performance at HWY from Chase Singletary to be in the conversation. If Ethan Smith takes over 174 and catches fire, you never know what can happen.
This will be a very exciting team and season to follow none the less.
Next time I’ll do an overview of this team’s future... go in depth with who we have waiting in the wings already on the roster, in redshirt, on their way, and top targets we should be recruiting to come aboard.
Future is bright!
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