Eric Boggs
The No. 6 Ohio State wrestling team showcased its dominance with a commanding 38-6 victory over Hofstra on Sunday at the Covelli Center. The Buckeyes secured bonus-point victories in six matches, demonstrating their strength and depth.
Dual Meet Highlights
- 125: No. 10 Brendan McCrone set the tone early, pinning Dylan Acevedo in just 2:26. McCrone’s swift takedown and near fall earned him a decisive victory.
- 133: No. 17 Nic Bouzakis claimed a 12-2 major decision over Chase Liardi. Bouzakis maintained control throughout, leveraging takedowns, escapes, and riding time to secure his win.
- 141: Reigning Big Ten and NCAA Champion Jesse Mendez dominated Justin Hoyle, earning a pin at 3:40 after building a 12-3 lead with a series of takedowns.
- 149: No. 11 Dylan D’Emilio overpowered Noah Tapia with a 16-4 major decision. D’Emilio’s aggressive attacks resulted in multiple near falls and a strong finish.
- 157: No. 9 Paddy Gallagher continued Ohio State’s momentum with a 14-5 major decision over Jurius Clark. Gallagher’s consistent scoring ensured his victory.
- 165: No. 11 Sammy Sasso marked his 50th career dual victory with a 14-4 major decision over Kyle Mosher, showcasing his signature mix of precision and control.
- 174 & 184: Hofstra’s Greyson Harris and Ross McFarland managed to secure decisions over Ohio State’s T.J. Schierl (11-7) and Gavin Bell (7-3), respectively.
- 197: No. 11 Luke Geog delivered a dominant 15-0 technical fall over Nik Miller, scoring points at will with takedowns and near falls.
- 285: No. 8 Nick Feldman capped the dual with a technical fall victory (21-6) against Danny Church, dominating from the opening seconds with repeated takedowns.
Buckeyes Shine in Tournament Action
Ohio State wrestlers also made waves at the 2024 Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational and Cleveland State Open, with standout performances across multiple weight classes.
Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational:
- Jesse Mendez (141): Mendez claimed the championship, going 4-0 as the No. 1 seed, including a commanding technical fall in the opening round.
- Nic Bouzakis (133): Bouzakis battled back to take third place with a 5-1 record, showcasing his resilience and technical prowess.
- Paddy Gallagher (157): Gallagher placed fourth, finishing 4-1 in a competitive field.
- Seth Shumate (184): Shumate fought through the consolation bracket to claim fourth place.
- Nick Feldman (285): Feldman earned sixth place, adding to the Buckeyes’ strong team showing.
Cleveland State Open:
- Rocco Welsh (184): Wrestling unattached, Welsh went 5-0 to claim the title, including multiple technical falls.
- Brandon Cannon (157): Cannon secured the championship with a 5-0 record, defeating tough competition along the way.
- Andre Gonzales (141): Gonzales placed second with a strong 3-1 performance, including a technical fall in the opening round.
Looking Ahead
Ohio State returns to dual competition on December 13 at Pittsburgh. With a deep roster and strong individual performances, the Buckeyes are poised to continue their impressive season.
