Eric Boggs
Kyle Snyder is set to compete in his third consecutive Olympics. He clinched his Olympic debut gold in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 while still representing Ohio State. Following that success, he snagged a silver medal at the Tokyo Games in 2021. Now, Snyder has secured his spot for the upcoming Olympics in Paris this summer after triumphing in the 97kg freestyle category at the U.S. Olympic Trials.
Snyder, who got a pass to the best-of-three finals after snatching a bronze medal in his weight division at the 2023 World Championships, defeated Isaac Trumble from N.C. State in two straight matches, 5-0 and 4-0, ensuring the United States’ place in the weight class in Paris.
With three gold medals, two silver medals, and two bronze medals at the World Championships during non-Olympic years, Snyder has made it to 10 consecutive Olympics or World Championships since 2015.
A former three-time NCAA champion at Ohio State, Snyder now trains with Penn State’s Nittany Lion Wrestling Club. He was the sole Buckeye to secure a spot on the U.S. Olympic team, although several other Buckeyes showcased their talent at the Trials.
Current Ohio State wrestler Jesse Mendez, who secured his place in the Olympic Trials by winning the NCAA championship at 141 pounds, entered the 65kg freestyle bracket as the No. 11 seed. He surprised everyone by defeating two of the top three seeds – Yianni Diakomiahlis and James Green – to reach the semifinals of the challenge tournament. However, he lost a close 3-2 decision to Zain Retherford. Mendez then battled his way to the final in the consolation bracket but fell to former Ohio State wrestler Joey McKenna, finishing fourth.
Another former Ohio State wrestler, Kollin Moore, also claimed a third-place finish in his weight class. He narrowly missed the chance to face Trumble in the 97kg bracket final, losing to him in the challenge tournament final after upsetting No. 1 seed J’den Cox in the semifinals.
In Greco-Roman wrestling, graduating Buckeye wrestler Nick Boykin secured second place in the 97kg challenge bracket, while former Buckeye heavyweight Tate Orndorff finished third. Another former Ohio State wrestler, Fritz Schierl, finished fourth in the challenge tournament in the 87kg Greco-Roman weight class.
