Ohio State's record at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational is close to unimpeachable. Over the past 10 years the team has won the prestigious early-season tournament five times (including three in a row from 2016-2018), been on the medal stand three additional times and placed no worse than fifth.

Look back at the last decade in Las Vegas
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015 - 5th
2014 -
2013 -
2012
2011 #GoBucks

— Ohio State Wrestling (@wrestlingbucks) December 3, 2021

The team got off to a hot start in Sin City yesterday, training Big Ten opponent Nebraska after the first day's action. With the quarterfinals in the books, the Cornhuskers lead the field with 79.5 points, with Ohio State in second with 71 and Purdue training a distant third at 53 points, just ahead of fourth-placed Michigan at 51.

NCAA title contenders Iowa and Penn State generally skip Las Vegas, but six Big Ten teams are represented in the 26-team field.

Tom Ryan's team advanced five of eight wrestlers to the semifinals last night, with Sammy Sasso, Carson Kharchla, Ethan Smith, Kaleb Romero and Tate Orndorff all still in the running for individual titles. Additionally, Malik Heinselman, Dylan D'Emilio and Gavin Hoffman are still competing in the consolation brackets.

Dylan Koontz and Bryce Hepner were eliminated from the tournament Friday, although Hepner added some bonus points to the team total in the early going before making his exit at 157 pounds.

Bonus points were the story of the early rounds of the tournament for Ohio State. During the morning session, the Buckeyes recorded three pins, four tech falls and a major decision in 17 matches. They added four majors in five quarterfinal victories during the evening session.

285 | Coach Ryan said end it and Tate listened.

Orndorff sticks Herrington at 2:32 pic.twitter.com/93bDsd96ga

— Ohio State Wrestling (@wrestlingbucks) December 3, 2021

Beating Nebraska for the team title may be a tall order, however. The Cornhuskers still have seven wrestlers competing in the championship bracket and one in the consolations, while Ohio State has just five in the semifinals and three in the wrestlebacks. It could come down to a series of Ohio State vs. Nebraska matches in the finals to determine the outcome, but the Buckeyes could use some help – or more bonus points – to get back to the top of the heap.

For a complete recap of yesterday's Ohio State matches, click here.