The Ohio State wrestling team, ranked No. 9 in the latest InterMat team rankings, took a road trip to face both No. 22 Indiana and No. 24 Purdue over the weekend. It wasn't their finest performances, but the Buckeyes limped away with a pair of wins over the Hoosiers and Boilermakers.
Half of the Buckeyes won both matches this weekend, including Nathan Tomasello and Bo Jordan, who each won a pair of bonus point victories. Micah Jordan, Kenny Courts, and Nick Tavanello each won both matches as well, leading the Buckeyes to a pair of tough victories.
The Buckeyes got their first win of the weekend against a tough Indiana team by the score of 27-9 Friday. Ohio State won seven of ten matches and held a lead from the opening bout against the host Hoosiers.
Tomasello extended his consecutive match winning streak to 31 with a dominant performance against No. 19-ranked Elijah Oliver. Tomasello took Oliver down six times and cruised to a 17-5 major decision to put the Buckeyes ahead 4-0.
Johnni DiJulius kept Alonzo Shepherd off the board, taking a 7-0 decision. JDJ scored a quick takedown and two back points to put Shepherd in a hole. He also added a reversal and a riding point to give the Buckeyes a seven point lead heading into 141.
Micah Jordan added to the team lead, accepting a medical forfeit. The forfeit pushed the Ohio State's lead to 13-0.
Hunter Stieber dropped a surprising decision to Luke Blanton by a 6-2 score. Blanton is a tough competitor, but Stieber isn't himself since coming back from his elbow surgeries.
Ohio native Jake Danishek gave Indiana a second straight win in the 157-pound class, beat Just Kresevic in comeback fashion. Danishek scored a late takedown for an 8-7 decision victory. At the midway point, the Buckeyes held a 13-6 lead.
Bo Jordan gave his typical effort and rattled off three 1st period takedowns on his way to a 14-5 major decision over Bryce Martin. Bo tacked on another pair of takedowns and his major decision put the Buckeyes ahead 17-6.
Myles Martin picked up a big win at 174, beating No. 8 Nate Jackson for the second time this season. Martin's 3rd period takedown was the difference in the match, giving the true freshman a 6-5 decision. The Buckeyes held a 20-6 lead with three matches remaining.
Kenny Courts scored eight points in the first period and scored a 19-6 major decision over Wyatt Wilson, which sealed the victory for Ohio State.
Josh Fox dropped a 3-2 decision to Jake Massengale at 197, but Nick Tavanello notched an 8-2 decision to give the Buckeyes a 27-9 victory over the Hoosiers.
Indiana Results
- 125- No.1 Nathan Tomasello (OSU) major decision over No. 19 Elijah Oliver (IU) 17-5. OSU leads 4-0.
- 133- No. 8 Johnni DiJulius (OSU) decision over Alonzo Shepherd (IU) 7-0. OSU leads 7-0.
- 141- No. 4 Micah Jordan (OSU) won by injury default. OSU leads 13-0.
- 149- Luke Blanton (IU) decision over No. 11 Hunter Stieber (OSU) 6-2. OSU leads 13-3.
- 157- Jake Danishek (IU) decision over Justin Kresevic (OSU) 8-7. OSU leads 13-6.
- 165- No. 2 Bo Jordan (OSU) major decision over Bryce Martin (IU) 14-5. OSU leads 17-6.
- 174- No. 15 Myles Martin (OSU) decision over No. 8 Nate Jackson (IU) 6-5. OSU leads 20-6.
- 184- No. 13 Kenny Courts (OSU) major decision over Wyatt Wilson (IU) 19-6. OSU leads 24-6.
- 197- Jake Massengale (IU) decision over Josh Fox (OSU) 3-2. OSU leads 24-9.
- HWT- Nick Tavanello (OSU) decision over Garrett Goldman (IU) 8-2. OSU wins 27-9.
The Buckeyes were not nearly as convincing against Purdue Sunday, snatching a 20-17 victory with a win in the day's final match.
Nathan Tomasello put the Buckeyes ahead by six points early with a 3rd period pin.
Johnni DiJulius dropped a 3-1 decision to Luke Welch at 133. DiJulius found himself on the wrong end of an early scramble and wasn't able to get anything going from the top position late in the match.
Micah Jordan stayed perfect in Big Ten competition with a 14-3 major decision against redshirt senior Danny Sabatello. Jordan pressured Sabatello from the opening whistle and scored eight points in the opening frame.
Purdue won consecutive matches at 149 and 157, briefly taking the lead over the Buckeyes. Mike Hozan stepped into the lineup for Hunter Stieber and ran into a buzzsaw in Alex Griffin. Griffin scored an 18-2 tech fall, pulling the Boilers to within two. At 157, Doug Welch earned a decision over Justin Kresevic to give Purdue an 11-10 lead at the dual’s midway point.
Bo Jordan regained the lead with a dominant performance against No. 7-ranked Chad Welch, winning 13-0 and earning another major decision to his season tally. Bo scored early and often and gave the Buckeyes a temporary lead at 14-11.
Fresh off of a big win against Nate Jackson on Friday, Myles Martin showed he still has some room to grow, dropping an upset loss to unheralded Jacob Morrissey. Morrissey’s 11-8 victory tied the match at 14-14.
Kenny Courts gave the Buckeyes yet another lead with a comeback victory against Tanner Lynde. Lynde held a slight lead in the 3rd period, but Courts was able to score a pair of late takedowns to earn a 9-8 decision.
Jack Rozema stepped into the lineup for an ailing Mark Martin at 197 and lost 8-4 to Drake Stein, once again tying the match.
Nick Tavanello is familiar with the scenario he mat on Sunday when he stepped onto the mat with the dual on the line. Tavanello has a tendency to come up big for the team in tight situations, and he did not disappoint with a 3-1 decision over Tyler Kral to give the Buckeyes a 20-17 lead.
The Buckeyes are set to for their biggest match of the season Friday, heading to No. 1 Penn State at 6 p.m. for a dual meet.
Check back with Eleven Warriors for a preview of that match later in the week.
Purdue Results
- 125- No. 1 Nathan Tomasello (OSU) won by fall over Luke Schroeder (PU) 5:25. OSU leads 6-0.
- 133- Luke Welch (PU) decision over No. 8 Johnni DiJulius (OSU) 3-1. OSU leads 6-3.
- 141- No. 4 Micah Jordan (OSU) major decision over Danny Sabatello (PU) 14-3. OSU leads 10-3.
- 149- Alex Griffin (PU) technical fall over Mike Hozan (OSU) 18-2. OSU leads 10-8.
- 157- Doug Welch (PU) decision over Justin Kresevic (OSU) 6-1. Purdue leads 11-10.
- 165- No. 2 Bo Jordan (OSU) major decision over No. 7 Chad Welch (PU) 13-0. OSU leads 14-11
- 174- Jacob Morrissey (PU) decision over No.15 Myles Martin (OSU) 11-8. Match tied 14-14.
- 184- No. 13 Kenny Courts (OSU) decision over Tanner Lynde (PU) 9-8. OSU leads 17-14.
- 197- Drake Stein (PU) decision over Jack Rozema (OSU) 8-4. Match tied 17-17.
- HWT- Nick Tavanello (OSU) decision over Tyler Kral (PU) 3-1. OSU wins the match 20-17.
