It will be an interesting year at certain weight classes for the buckeyes, up this point in time they are returning all of their starters and returning three All-Americans. The Tom Ryan era has brought the program 73 All-Americans with 13 Individual National Championships with a 213-68 dual record, its safe to say they will still be a top contender in the NCAA’s this year.
125- This weight class makes things interesting, with Vinny Kilkeary barely squeaking out a loss against Braeden Davis on a controversial call, losing 4-3. This match separated kilkeary from Brendan McCrone who is the starter, and more or less a .500 wrestler going 18-13 last season. Kilkeary is now off of redshirt , and I expect him to earn the starting spot.
133- Nic Bouzakis posting a decent year going 25-11 in 23-24 had some incredible wins but accompanied by some very questionable losses. Getting upset by Brode Teske (Iowa) by reversal at the buzzer 13-15 in the NCAA’s. But, losing to Daton Fix (OSU) 5-4 was not so questionable. Fix only won on the ensuing escape. He beat All-Americans Aaron Nagao and Kai Orine showing he is a threat in the tournament. He is Ohio State’s clear frontrunner.
141- Jesse Mendez has the starting position without question, going 29-2 and winning his first NCAA title. I expect a big year for Mendez as he looks to repeat!
149- Coming up just short of All-American honors in the 23-24, the 6th year senior Dylan D’Emilio is also a wildcard play and a .500 wrestler in the NCAA’s going 10-9 overall. Does he have a chance to return to the podium this year? Fans are hopeful for a top 5 in the Big Ten Championships at least.
157- At 16-5 before his injury in January, Paddy Gallaghers only losses were to All-Americans and has shown he can compete at a higher level beating out Trevor Chumbley and Ryder Downey he also lost to Downey. If he’s fully recovered he has the potential to all-american this season.
165-It looks like Sammy Sasso is back after being shot in the leg and missing all of last season. Bryce Hepner is also in the lineup after an up and down season last year. Bryce had a 13-7 record in the 23-24 season. I have a hard to predicting this one. I got to think that if Sasso is back, he fully believes he is capable of winning it all. No other reason to tarnish his legacy.
174-Rocco Welsh returns to the line up after a brilliant true freshman season. Finishing as NCAA runner up in a bracket featuring 3 NCAA Champions. Carson Kharchia is also in the lineup and if healthy is a strong all-american contender. With the 174 weight class stronger than ever, I expect Welsh to redshirt and Kharchia to finish out his college career.
184- Ryder Rogotzke seems to hold the 184 with an indifferent season last year going 20-10 but with a staggering 16 pins. He went 4-2 at the Big Ten Tournament. Last Season he had a signature win over Bernie Traux.
197- The national qualifier went 15-11 in the 23-24 season, Luke Geog needs to show some improvement in the NCAA tournament. Going 0-2, losing to Zack Glazier and Silas Allred are not terrible losses for a redshirt freshman.
285-Nick Feldman showed a 29-8 performance last year with a 5th place finish at the NCAA’s last year, he had some great wins against Tase Ghadiali and Cohlton Schultz. Losing to Greg Kerkvliet, he’s expected to make some big improvements this summer, will it be enough to become a finalist in the NCAA’s?
I could see this team with 5 maybe 6 all-americans and 2 NCAA finalists. Not a bad team at all solid up and down the line up. Can they crack the top 5? I’m not sure.