Eric Boggs
Ohio State, ranked No. 4 in the nation, demonstrated resilience and dominance with a 27-13 victory over No. 25 Indiana at Wilkinson Hall in Bloomington. The Buckeyes, now 13-2 overall and 5-2 in conference competition, overcame an early deficit by winning four of the final five matches, three of which earned bonus points, securing a commanding win over the Hoosiers.
After falling behind 9-8 following the first five bouts, Ohio State responded emphatically. No. 5 Carson Kharchla (174) and No. 19 Ryder Rogotzke (184) delivered decisive performances in the final two matches to seal the victory. Kharchla dominated his opponent, Roman Rogotzke, securing a technical fall that provided the Buckeyes with five crucial team points. His efforts ensured Ohio State’s lead was insurmountable. Rogotzke then put an exclamation point on the match, pinning DJ Washington in under a minute to add six more team points, capping off a statement win.
The dual meet began at 197 pounds, where Indiana’s No. 21 Gabe Sollars edged out Ohio State’s No. 18 Seth Shumate in a 10-6 decision. Shumate started strong with an early takedown but was unable to maintain control as Sollars capitalized with nearfall points to take the lead. Despite Shumate’s efforts to close the gap, Sollars secured the decision, giving Indiana an early advantage.
At heavyweight, No. 9 Nick Feldman put the Buckeyes back on track with a disciplined 4-2 decision over No. 18 Jacob Bullock. Feldman’s early takedown and strong defensive positioning ensured he controlled the match from start to finish, adding key points for Ohio State.
Indiana responded at 125 pounds, where No. 20 Jacob Moran edged No. 18 Brendan McCrone in a narrow 3-2 decision. McCrone scored first with an escape in the second period, but Moran’s late takedown proved to be the deciding factor, giving the Hoosiers another lead.
At 133 pounds, Ohio State’s No. 10 Nic Bouzakis fell in a tightly contested bout against Angelo Rini, who emerged with a 6-3 decision. After a scoreless first period, Bouzakis secured an early reversal, but Rini responded with a reversal and a late takedown to clinch the win.
The momentum shifted significantly in Ohio State’s favor at 141 pounds, where top-ranked Jesse Mendez delivered a dominant performance, overwhelming Lucas Peters in a 19-3 technical fall. Mendez’s relentless attack saw him accumulate 16 points in the opening period before finishing the match early in the second.
Dylan D’Emilio, ranked No. 8 at 149 pounds, followed with a steady 5-3 decision over Joey Buttler. D’Emilio’s first-period takedown and controlled wrestling throughout secured another victory for the Buckeyes.
The onslaught continued at 157 pounds, where Brandon Cannon secured an 18-3 technical fall over Ryan Garvick. Cannon built an insurmountable lead through aggressive takedowns and nearfalls, widening Ohio State’s lead in the dual.
Indiana found some success at 165 pounds, where No. 19 Tyler Lillard defeated Brock Herman by major decision, 15-2. Lillard’s multiple takedowns and nearfall points provided Indiana with a crucial boost, but the Buckeyes remained firmly in control overall.
At 174 pounds, No. 5 Carson Kharchla showcased his dominance with a resounding 19-4 technical fall over Roman Rogotzke. Kharchla’s relentless offensive attack saw him rack up takedowns and nearfall points with ease, securing another high-scoring victory for Ohio State.
The match concluded with an exclamation mark as No. 19 Ryder Rogotzke wasted no time dispatching DJ Washington at 184 pounds. After a brief scramble, Rogotzke quickly reversed position and secured a pin in just 59 seconds, sending the Buckeye faithful into celebration.
Ohio State’s ability to turn the tide after an early deficit highlighted the team’s depth and resilience. With this impressive road victory, the Buckeyes continue to solidify their position among the nation’s elite as they prepare for the challenges ahead in Big Ten competition.
