Nathan Tomasello made history Sunday, joining Buckeye alumnus Logan Stieber as one of only 15 men in history to win four Big Ten wrestling championships.
Tomasello won the title by upending Minnesota standout Ethan "The Backpack" Lizak, the fifth seed in the tournament. It was his second bout of the season versus Lizak; Tomasello defeated Lizak by tech fall in a dual meet earlier this season, in just Tomasello's second match back from a 12-week injury hiatus.
Tomasello became the 15th wrestler in conference history to win four championships, joining Stieber, who was the 14th, capping his stellar career with the 2015 championship at 141 pounds.
"I'm at a loss for words," Tomasello said after the match. He entered the tournament as the No. 3 seed, having slipped to third in the nation after a loss to Iowa phenom Spencer Lee. He avenged that loss in the semifinal match Saturday night, in a 2-1 decision.
Sunday's final match started with an early Tomasello takedown, but Lizak did not shrink from the challenge, battling back to a 5-2 lead midway through the second period. Tomasello matched him point for point, and had the young Gopher on the ropes throughout the third, with stalling points assessed as Tomasello pushed the pace.
In the end, Tomasello's strength and experience carried the day, and the Buckeye captain added his name to the Big Ten record book.
