Eric Boggs
Ohio State wrestling has once again demonstrated its strength on the mat, securing ten qualifiers for the 2025 NCAA Championships after an impressive performance at the Big Ten Tournament in Evanston, Illinois. The Buckeyes automatically qualified nine wrestlers, with sophomore Ryder Rogotzke earning an at-large bid at 184 pounds, ensuring Ohio State will have a full lineup competing on the national stage in Philadelphia from March 20-22.
The Buckeyes finished sixth in the loaded Big Ten field, tallying 95.5 points. Redshirt freshman Brandon Cannon led the way with a runner-up finish at 157 pounds, upsetting multiple higher-seeded opponents before falling to Penn State’s Tyler Kasak in the finals. Cannon’s breakthrough performance signals his emergence as a key contributor for the Buckeyes.
Other standout performances included Nic Bouzakis (133), who secured third place with an emphatic pin over Penn State’s Braeden Davis in the consolation final. Jesse Mendez (141), a returning NCAA champion, took fourth after a hard-fought match against top-seeded Beau Bartlett. Dylan D’Emilio (149) and Carson Kharchla (174) also placed in the top five, with D’Emilio taking fifth and Kharchla finishing fourth. Heavyweight Nick Feldman powered to a fifth-place finish with a dominant win over Illinois’ Luke Luffman.
Additional Buckeyes earning NCAA berths included Paddy Gallagher (165) and Seth Shumate (197), who took seventh and eighth place, respectively. Brendan McCrone (125) and Rogotzke (184) secured their spots in the national tournament field despite finishing outside the top eight, ensuring that Ohio State will send wrestlers at every weight class.
Head coach Tom Ryan, now in his 19th season, continues to position Ohio State among the nation’s elite. This marks the ninth time in his tenure that the Buckeyes have sent at least nine wrestlers to the NCAA Championships. Under his leadership, Ohio State has produced 149 NCAA qualifiers, 73 All-Americans, and a national championship-winning squad in 2015.
With a deep and talented roster, Ohio State looks poised to make an impact in Philadelphia. Mendez enters the tournament as the No. 3 seed at 141 pounds, aiming to defend his national title. Cannon (5-seed, 157), Bouzakis (7-seed, 133), and Kharchla (9-seed, 174) are among the team’s highest-seeded wrestlers, each with the potential for deep tournament runs.
The Buckeyes will hit the mats on March 20. With ten competitors ready to battle, Ohio State is primed to contend for All-American honors and a top finish in the team standings. The journey to NCAA glory begins now, and the Buckeyes are ready to rise to the challenge.
