Ohio State excellence is not exclusive to the football field or the basketball court. Around the Oval is our way of keeping you informed of the amazing things happening with the other 34 varsity sports on campus.
The Ohio State athletic department is rich with talent and history across a number of different sports, but which of the school's programs is the best? We took a look at each one and ranked Ohio State's top-5 athletic programs.
t5. Pistol
Ohio State has won seven total pistol national titles, all coming within the past 15 years. In addition to the seven team titles, 26 Buckeyes have won individual national titles in their respective events.
The team has become a powerhouse lately, winning back-to-back national titles the past two seasons (2014 and 2015), and looks to be in good shape to compete for the three-peat next season.
The reason they are not higher on this list is simply a lack of competition and dominance. Very few teams outside of the military service academies sponsor pistol teams, and Ohio State is not consistently better than the few schools that do (Navy and Army dominate). While the team's accomplishments definitely place them among the Ohio State athletic program's top teams, the pistol team's seven national titles aren't quite as impressive as other teams on this list when standardized.
- Number of National Titles: 7
- Last National Title: 2014-15
T5. Fencing
Since the Co-Ed Championships began in 1990, Ohio State has won three national championships (2004, 2008, and 2012), which is good for third all time behind Notre Dame (four) and Penn State (13).
Perhaps even more impressive than the national championships is the consistency of the program. The fencing team has finished ranked in the top-five for 14 consecutive seasons and counting. With all 10 NCAA qualifiers returning next season, the Buckeyes look to be in great shape to keep that streak alive.
- Number of National Titles: 3
- Last National Title: 2011-2012
4. football
Ohio State claims eight national titles — 1942, 1954, 1957, 1961, 1968, 1970, 2002, and 2014 — which is good for eighth all time. Six of those national titles are recognized by either the AP Poll or the Coaches Poll, which is good for fifth all time. In either case, there is no denying that the Buckeye football team is a national powerhouse, both historically and recently.
- Number of National Titles: 8
- Last National Title: 2014-15
3. Women's Rowing
Since the NCAA Women's Rowing Championships began in 1997, Ohio State has won three national titles. This leaves them tied with Washington for second all time, behind Brown who has won seven.
What sets Ohio State apart is their dominance lately. Their three national titles have come consecutively the past three seasons in the only three-peat in NCAA history. If they take home the national title next season, the 2012 freshman class will have won a national championship every season they competed.
- Number of National Titles: 3
- Last National Title: 2014-15
2. men's swimming and Diving
Ohio State has won 11 NCAA Men's Swimming and Diving National Championships, second only to Michigan's 12. The team dominated during the 1940s and 50s, winning 10 titles with two runner-up finishes between 1943 and 1956. They then won their 11th title in 1962.
Since then, however, the team has not had the same success. The Buckeyes do not have a championship or a runner-up finish since 1962 — a 53-year drought for a team that lead the NCAA in national championships for over 50 years.
The men's swimming and diving team remains one of the athletic program's most decorated teams of all-time regardless of their lack of recent success.
- Number of National Titles: 11
- Last National Title: 1962-63
1. synchronized swimming
The synchronized swimming team is without doubt the most dominant program in Ohio State history. They have won a ridiculous 29 national championships since the program began in 1976. There have been just 11 seasons when they have not won the national title.
To help put it in perspective, the percentage of seasons they have won a national championship (.725) is higher than the football team's game winning percentage (.720). This means that the synchronized swimming team wins national titles more consistently than the football team wins games.
- Number of National Titles: 29
- Last National Title: 2014-15
An interesting thing to note is the success lately. With the exception of the men's swimming and diving team, Ohio State's all-time most dominant programs remain dominant today. Of the six programs mentioned, four of them won the national championship last season, and two of them have won consecutive titles.
The Ohio State athletic program is currently peaking. In addition to the teams mentioned above, teams like the women's basketball team, the men's lacrosse team, and the wrestling team are seeing some of their most successful seasons in history. One could argue that the athletic program is at its best right now.
It's a great time to be a Buckeye.
