Logan Stieber is proving to be a bad manOhio State operates the NCAA's second-largest athletic department. Eleven Warriors is committed to keeping you informed of what's happening with those sports that make Ohio State athletics more than just football and basketball. Around the Oval will be your weekly update on these teams.
Welcome back to another edition of Around The Oval friends and Buckeye faithful. Not much happening today, huh?
As things now look to quiet down Columbus, a majority of the sports teams get some time off.
So, today in ATO, we'll take a look at those who are still competing, as well as a look at the streaking Ohio State women's basketball team.
grapplers continue to dominate
With apologies to the horrible musician Pit-Bull, it's apparent that the sixth-ranked Buckeyes wrestling team is having a real good time in the early parts of this season. After giving up only 23 points in their first four meets, the Buckeyes then traveled to Las Vegas and took home first place in the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational. Upon returning to the midwest from their Vegas vacation, the Buckeyes then dispatched #9 Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania 22-9 and followed that up by taking care of #20 Kent State, 22-15.
Sitting at 6-0 in matches and winning their CKLV Invitational, the Buckeyes looked to continue their hot start as they began Big Ten play last week against Indiana. The Hoosiers, also undefeated at 6-0 heading into the contest, looked to be another in a string of worthy adversaries for the Bucks.
As the contest got under way, the Buckeyes quickly established themselves as redshirt freshman Logan Stieber was able to pin Indiana's Joe Duca in only 1:26. It was the second consecutive first period pin for the now 16-0 Stieber. Following his brother's lead, Hunter Stieber took to the mat next for Ohio State and also came away with a win, a 6-1 decision that put the Buckeyes up 9-0 in the match, and the rout was on from there.
The Buckeyes marched through the Hoosiers to the tune of a 31-9 final, holding the Hoosiers to two wins. Logan Stieber's pin was the only pin the Buckeyes would get for a win, but they dominated the rest of the contests, winning by an average decision score of 6.4 to 2.
Despite Ohio State's dominance, coach Tom Ryan knows it's not coming easily, and it shouldn't be taken for granted.
"Wins always feel good. These guys put so much time into this, winning is important. It was very big to get a team win today."
Stieber too knew the importance of staying focused on the individual match and not getting caught up in the team's success. Normally wrestling at 125, the Monroevillie, Ohio native took the mat at 133 pounds and said that it was a bit awkward for him.
"It felt good starting out at 133, which was a little bit different for me, I am usually at 125. I wanted to go out and get things started for the team. I tried to do what I always do and that is get a takedown and get turns. I got a good arm-bar and a solid pin. Every kid at this level is going to be tough. I have to be ready; every kid is going to fight. The coaches do a great job keeping me focused. I just have to keep doing what I do and usually that works out pretty well."
The Buckeyes will now get some well-deserved time off before they get back to work on January 6th against #16 Nebraska in Lincoln.
Lady Buckeyes off to best start in a decade
If you lost the only four time B1G Player of the Year, you'd likely be forgiven for struggling a bit out of the gate the following season.
That was the unenviable position that Ohio State women's basketball coach Jim Foster faced as the Buckeyes started his 10th season at the helm. Losing Jantel Lavender and her 2818 career points meant that the Lady Bucks would need some new superstars to step up and take on a leadership role. That's where Tayler Hill and Sammy Prahalis come in.
Saturday, the Buckeyes traveled to Berkeley to take on the Cal Golden Bears. The Buckeyes, 3-0 all-time against Cal, entered the contest 9-0 on the season and ranked 12th in the nation. The Golden Bears, 8-2, were looking for their second win against a ranked opponent, as they had previously knocked off #22 Virginia.
Sammy Prahalis continues to be a leader for the BuckeyesOhio State, led by Prahalis and Hill, were taken to the wire by the Bears, but escaped from California with a 77-75 lead, taking their record to 10-0 and giving Foster the 750th win of his illustrious career. He became the 9th coach to reach that figure, doing it in his 33rd season as a head coach.
After getting back home Sunday morning, the Buckeyes turned around and played a matinee game yesterday afternoon, hosting the University of Charlotte before an announced crowd of 2643.
The Buckeyes came out on fire against the 49ers, taking a 44-14 lead with 4 minutes left in the first half, before turning on the cruise control and finishing off the Niners 88-58. Hill and Prahalis once again paced the Buckeyes, who improved to 11-0 on the year. Hill had 25 points, including 16 in the first half, and Prahalis added 19 points to go along with seven dimes and four boards. The 88 points was a season-high for Ohio State.
The Buckeyes right back to work today, taking out Southern Utah 88-50, and improving to 12-0. Hill once again led the Buckeyes, scoring 24 points. The Buckeyes take Washington State Thursday evening to finish off a hectic 4 games in six days stretch. If the Buckeyes can take care of business Thursday, they'll attempt to match their best ever start (14-0) next Friday in their B1G opener at Wisconsin.
BUCKEYE BITS
Ohio State soccer goalkeeper Matt Lampson has signed a professional contract with the Columbus Crew as a "home-grown player".
The men's lacrosse schedule will test the Buckeyes early and often.
Like I said folks, slow week! Next week in this time slot we will take another look at football recruiting, but from an outside-looking-in view on the entire Big Ten.
See you then and thanks for reading.
