The Buckeyes, ranked seventh in the latest InterMat dual rankings, took a short trip north on I-71 to take on the Cleveland State Vikings on Tuesday night, and the Buckeyes were not gracious guests.
Wrestling started at 165 pounds with Justin Kresevic, a Solon native, showed a few flashes of brilliance, but was hit for stalling a couple of times for a penalty point. Kresevic used a couple of takedowns and a nice tilt off of a standup to win 10-3 and give the Buckeyes a 3-0 lead.
Top-ranked Bo Jordan used the same spladle he utilized in the Wrestleback finals of the NCAA tournament and pinned CSU’s Gabe Stark in 27 seconds. Jordan’s pin gave the Buckeyes a 9-0 lead.
At 184 pounds, Jack Rozema took the mat and pushed Jacob Worthington for seven straight minutes, earning a 12-4 major decision with almost three minutes of riding time. The Buckeyes took a 13-0 lead thanks to the major decision.
The Buckeyes reportedly hit traffic and were unable to cut weight in the arena prior to the match, so they forfeited the 197-pound class to Cleveland State, making the team score 13-6 in favor of the Buckeyes.
In the most anticipated match of the evening, Cleveland State’s Riley Shaw, ranked No. 10 in the latest InterMat rankings, held off Nick Tavanello’s late rally to win 6-4. The Buckeyes lead shrank to 13-9, heading into the top of the lineup.
Top-ranked Nathan Tomasello met a tough Evan Cheek, who seemed unimpressed by Tomasello’s resume. Cheek scored an early takedown to shock the capacity crowd (and presumably Tomasello). Cheek didn’t back down a bit throughout the match, but yielded a number of takedowns to Tomasello. The Buckeye also stifled his opponent with some tough riding on top. Tomasello eventually earned a 23-7 technical fall for five team points. The Buckeyes led 18-9 heading into 133.
Walsh Jesuit graduate Johnni DiJulius, ranked No. 5 in the latest InterMat polls, worked his way through some sticky situations against Wadsworth grad Alfredo Gray. Gray scored a 3rd period takedown to tie things up at 3, but DiJulius escaped and avoided a takedown to steal the victory. Though it wasn’t DiJulius’ finest moments on the mat, his decision gave the Buckeyes a 21-9 lead.
Mike Hozan filled in for Micah Jordan at 141 and showed some serious toughness. A last second takedown (which went to review) gave Hozan a 2-0 lead heading into the 2nd. Hozan held a 3-2 lead late in the 3rd, fended off a defensive pin attempt from Mike Carlone, but yielded a last-second reversal to lose 4-3. The Buckeyes still held a 21-12 lead despite the decision.
Cody Burcher, on the fringe of some rankings, looked good early but gave up a takedown to CSU’s Nick Montgomery. Montgomery then pinned Burcher out of a tilt, surprising everyone in attendance. With the final match yet to come, the Buckeyes clung to a 21-18 lead.
Ranked No. 16 in today’s InterMat rankings, Jake Ryan put the match on ice for the Buckeyes, dominating John Vaughn of CSU. Ryan opened up the offense a bit more than previous matches and won by tech fall, giving the Buckeyes a 26-18 victory.
The Buckeyes will take a few days off and resume action after Thanksgiving break at the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational on December 4th and 5th.
RESULTS
- 165: Justin Kresevic (OSU) decision over Nathan Wynkoop (CSU) 10-3. OSU leads 3-0
- 174: No. 1 Bo Jordan (OSU) pins Gabe Stark (CSU) 0:27. OSU leads 9-0
- 184: Jack Rozema (OSU) major decision over Jake Worthington (CSU) 12-4. OSU leads 13-0.
- 197: Sam Wheeler (CSU) wins by forfeit. OSU leads 13- 6
- HWT: No. 10 Riley Shaw (CSU) decision over No. 18 Nick Tavanello 6-4. OSU leads 13-9.
- 125: No. 1 Nathan Tomasello (OSU) technical fall over Evan Cheek (CSU) 23-7. OSU leads 18-9
- 133: No. 5 Johnni DiJulius (OSU) decision over Alfredo Gray (CSU) 4-3. OSU leads 21-9
- 141: Mike Carlone (CSU) decision over Mike Hozan (OSU) 4-3. OSU leads 21-12.
- 149: Nick Montgomery (CSU) pins Cody Burcher (OSU) 5:34. OSU leads 21-18.
- 157: No. 16 Jake Ryan (OSU) technical fall over John Vaughn (CSU) 21-6. OSU wins 26-18.
