Wrestling: Buckeyes Defeat Arizona State

The Ohio State Wrestling Buckeyes improved to 1-0 on Saturday afternoon with a 27-15 victory over the host Arizona State Sun Devils. The Buckeyes won six of ten matches, including five wins by bonus points to notch the first team win of the young season.

Jose Rodriguez notched his first career dual meet victory with a dominant 13-0 major decision over Joshua Kramer of Arizona State. Rodriguez controlled the match from the opening whistle and utilized a smothering top game to rack up over four minutes of riding time on his way to a 13-0 major decision, giving the Buckeyes a 4-0 lead after the first match.

Brendan Fitzgerald dropped a 5-2 decision to Ali Naser, pulling the Sun Devils to within a point in the team score.

Twelfth ranked Ke-Shawn Hayes scored early and often, taking out Tyler Sage with a 15-0 tech fall midway through the second period. The tech fall, which was Ke-Shawn’s second of the season, gave the Buckeyes a 9-3 lead after three matches.

Micah Jordan started like he was shot out of a cannon, rolling to a 10-4 lead after the first period thanks to five takedowns in the opening frame. A late reversal by Maruca prevented a major decision from Jordan, who earned a 15-8 decision and gave the Buckeyes a 12-3 lead heading into the match at 157.

Jake Ryan’s early season struggles continued as he dropped a surprising 13-12 decision to Joshua Shields at 157. Ryan appeared to run out of steam late in the match, which saw some crazy scrambles initiated by both wrestlers. Ryan fell to 2-2 on the season with the loss, which pulled the Sun Devils to within six of the Buckeyes.

After the break, Cody Burcher dropped a hard-fought 4-3 decision to No. 9 ranked Anthony Valencia at 165. Valencia scored a pair of early takedowns to take a 4-2 lead, but Burcher fought hard to turn Valencia, but he was unable to score any points off of a tilt. The Buckeyes clung to a 12-9 lead after six matches.

While wrestling fans were hoping to see a battle between top-ranked Bo Jordan and No. 8 Zahid Valencia at 174, Buckeye head coach Tom Ryan sent Seth Williams out to take on Valencia. Valencia took his frustrations out on the young Buckeye, ending the match at 1:44 with a pin. The Sun Devils momentarily took a 15-12 lead with three matches left in the meet.

Myles Martin made short work of Jacen Petersen, scoring at will on his way to an 18-3 tech fall in just 3:13. Martin led 16-3 after the first period, and a quick takedown in the second period gave the Buckeyes the lead for good with just two matches remaining.

No. 12 Kollin Moore wrestled like he was double parked and pinned Sullivan Cauley in just 1:05. In that time, Moore racked up three takedowns to go along with the pin, which locked up the victory for the Buckeyes with just one match remaining.

Top-ranked Kyle Snyder proved that he is head and shoulders ahead of the rest of the field at heavyweight in the NCAA, dismissing No. 4 Tanner Hall with a 20-8 major decision. While Snyder proved that he was able to score takedowns at will, I’d still like to see him do a bit of riding in the top position and work for a turn.

The Buckeyes improve to 1-0 with the victory, while the Sun Devils fall to 1-1 in dual meets. Ohio State will be in action on Tuesday when they take on Kent State and Cleveland State in a modified tri meet at Kent State University.