Nathan Tomasello is expected to return to the Ohio State wrestling lineup early in 2018, following arthroscopic repair to his knee earlier this week. The three-time All-American sustained the injury at the Under-23 World Team Trials in Rochester, Minn., Oct. 9.
As first reported by Jeff Helfrich of The Lantern, Tomasello underwent an arthroscopic procedure on his right knee Wednesday following an MRI. The procedure involved trimming a portion of his meniscus.
“We thought [the injury] was significant and we feel way better about it,” head coach Tom Ryan told The Lantern. “He got scoped and he’s going to be back I think sooner than we thought.”
The 5th-year senior and three-time Big Ten Champion was originally expected to miss nearly three months with what was initially described as a "lower body injury" sustained just days prior to the Buckeyes' first practice of the season. Ryan told his team at that practice that Tomasello was one of the most dedicated wresters he'd ever worked with and that the senior captain would be back as soon as he was healthy.
“Nathan Tomasello is one of the most determined young men I’ve ever met,” Ryan said in a release from the university. “There is no doubt he will do everything he can to return to the mat as soon as possible.” He told Helfrich that Tomasello might actually be able to return in December, but Tomasello was more reserved, saying, "I’m not going to put it out there."
The 2017-18 season is Tomasello's last chance at a second NCAA title. He won at 125 pounds in 2015, took third in 2016, and came in third last year at 133 pounds. He decided to drop back down to 125 because it made a stronger Buckeye lineup, with Luke Pletcher wrestling at 133.
Ryan said the team would likely burn the redshirt of one of its several freshmen at 125, and Thursday night Brakan Mead won the team's wrestle-off for the right to that spot. He is expected to step in for Tomasello until the three-time Big Ten champ makes his return to the lineup.
