He's called The Savage for a reason.
On Aug. 18, 2023, Sammy Sasso suffered a gunshot wound that almost left him paraplegic. Fourteen months later, the four-time All-American and two-time Big Ten champion will be back on the mat when No. 6 Ohio State hosts Chattanooga in its 2024-25 season opener on Nov. 14.
is back. #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/OaQDEgbrL4
— Ohio State Wrestling (@wrestlingbucks) November 8, 2024
Sasso's return to form is a near-miracle, head coach Tom Ryan told Eleven Warriors in February. The Nazareth, Pennsylvania, native sustained severe nerve damage in the shooting near Ohio State's campus and required an emergency procedure to reconstruct his colon. He then underwent extensive physical therapy to learn how to walk again — let alone how to wrestle.
"We didn't know what to expect. He had major surgeries on his intestines. He had surgery on his back," Ryan said. "The fact that he's wrestling is not really a surprise because of his will and his love to wrestle. I know that he told the surgeon, "If I have to wrestle with one leg, I'm gonna wrestle again.' There's a determination there that nothing will get in the way of."
While Sasso earned his accolades as Ohio State's 149-pound wrestler, the Buckeyes planned on moving him to 157 last season. Those plans appeared to have changed ahead of the season opener, during which Sasso will start at 165. Surrounding him will be No. 11 Brendan McCrone (125), No. 18 Nic Bouzakis (133), No. 2 Jesse Mendez (141), No. 11 Dylan D'Emilio (149), No. 10 Paddy Gallagher (157), No. 15 Bryce Hepner (174), No. 17 Ryder Rogotzke (184), No. 11 Luke Geog (197) and No. 3 Nick Feldman (HWT).
The full 2024-25 Ohio State Wrestling schedule. #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/8ihzsNEcv6
— Ohio State Wrestling (@wrestlingbucks) October 14, 2024
In addition to Sasso, Ohio State will return five other All-Americans in 2024-25, including Mendez, D'Emilio, Feldman, Carson Kharchla and Rocco Welsh. Last season, Mendez won a Big Ten championship and an NCAA championship at 141 pounds. He will look to defend his crown in both competitions this year against No. 3 Beau Bartlett (Penn State), No. 4 Brock Hardy (Nebraska) and No. 5 Vance Vombaur (Minnesota).
Mendez and Feldman will take part in the 2024 NWCA All-Star Classic on Saturday at Rec Hall in State College, Pennsylvania. Mendez will face Bartlett, while Feldman will face No. 7 Taye Ghadiali (Campbell) in the tournament.
