COLUMBUS, Ohio – The No. 2 Ohio State wrestling team (17-0, 6-0) enters the final weekend of the dual season with matchups against No. 1 Penn State on Friday at 7 p.m. ET, broadcast on BTN, and Maryland on Sunday at 2 p.m. ET, available on B1G+. The Buckeyes are aiming to complete an undefeated dual season and maintain their momentum heading into the postseason.
Ohio State is enjoying a historic season, currently riding a 17-match win streak – a program record. This impressive run includes victories over ranked opponents, showcasing the team’s strength, and depth. They recently defeated No. 5 Iowa 24-9, capping off a successful homestand that also saw wins against No. 25 Wisconsin (30-10) and No. 13 Michigan (26-16). The team’s success is particularly notable as it marks the best start in program history, surpassing the 18-2 campaign of 2009-10 led by coach Tom Ryan.
Buckeyes Dominate Ranked Opponents
The Buckeyes have consistently proven their ability to compete at the highest level, boasting a 4-0 record against Top 5 teams, an 8-0 record against Top 10 teams, and an impressive 11-0 record against Top 25 opponents this season. This dominance underscores their position as a national contender. Redshirt freshman Ben Davino has been a key contributor to this success, currently tied for the national lead with 11 technical falls, accumulating an aggregate time of 55:08.
Senior Recognition and Recent Victories
Last Friday, Ohio State honored its seniors – Peyton Fenton, Carter Chase, Paddy Gallagher, Carson Kharchla, and Jesse Mendez, along with team managers Noah Loris, Ava Marinell, Taylor Csanyi, Frank Saldana, and Emma Schatzel – before their match against Iowa. Prior to their contest with the Hawkeyes, the Buckeyes secured Top 10 road wins at No. 7 Minnesota (29-9) and a narrow 17-16 victory over No. 6 Nebraska, where Nick Feldman clinched the win with a sudden-victory decision over No. 4 AJ Ferrari. Ohio State also achieved a 45-0 shutout victory over No. 23 Indiana on January 11th, marking the first shutout in the series with the Hoosiers since a 41-0 win at Maryland on January 31, 2023.
Looking Ahead: Matchups and Series History
Friday’s match against Penn State presents a significant challenge. The Nittany Lions lead the all-time series 27-12, and the Buckeyes haven’t secured a win in State College since 2009, a 33-7 victory. Sunday’s contest against Maryland offers a favorable matchup, as Ohio State holds a perfect 9-0 record against the Terrapins, including a 4-0 record in College Park.
Here are the probable lineups for both matches:
Probable Lineups vs. Penn State
- 125 – (2) Nic Bouzakis (R-Jr.) vs (1) Luke Lilledahl (So.)
- 133 – (2) Ben Davino (R-Fr.) vs (4) Marcus Blaze (Fr.)
- 141 – (1) Jesse Mendez (Sr.) vs (12) Braeden Davis (Jr.)
- 149 – (6) Ethan Stiles (R-So.) vs (1) Shayne Van Ness (Jr.)
- 157 – Landon Desselle (R-Fr.) vs (4) PJ Duke (Fr.) or Daxton Chase (R-Fr.)
- 165 – (16) Paddy Gallagher (R-Sr.) vs (1) Mitchell Mesenbrink (Jr.)
- 174 – (5) Carson Kharchla (Gr.) vs (1) Levi Haines (Sr.)
- 184 – (8) Dylan Fishback (R-Jr.) vs (1) Rocco Welsh (So.)
- 197 – (10) Luke Geog (R-So.) vs (1) Josh Barr (So.)
- HWT – (3) Nick Feldman (R-Jr.) vs (12) Cole Mirasola (R-Fr.)
Probable Lineups vs. Maryland
- 125 – (2) Nic Bouzakis (R-Jr.) vs Abram Cline (So.)/Presden Sanchez (So.)
- 133 – (2) Ben Davino (R-Fr.) vs (13) Braxton Brown (R-Sr.)
- 141 – (1) Jesse Mendez (Sr.) vs Dario Lemus (R-So.)/Ryan Kennedy (Fr.)
- 149 – (6) Ethan Stiles (R-So.) vs Michael Pizzuto (R-So.)/(4) Carter Young (Sr.)
- 157 – Landon Desselle (R-Fr.) vs Mekhi Neal (So.)/Nathan Perry (R-So.) or Daxton Chase (R-Fr.)
- 165 – (16) Paddy Gallagher (R-Sr.) vs Alex Uryniak (So.)/AJ Rodrigues (Jr.)
- 174 – (5) Carson Kharchla (Gr.) vs Seth Digby (Fr.)
- 184 – (8) Dylan Fishback (R-Jr.) vs Sepantra Ahanj-Elias (Fr.)
- 197 – (10) Luke Geog (R-So.) vs (17) Branson John (So.)
- HWT – (3) Nick Feldman (R-Jr.) vs Oscar Williams (So.)/Joey Schneck (R-So.)
As coach Tom Ryan enters his 20th year at Ohio State, he continues to build a legacy of success, having led the Buckeyes to 10 or more wins in 15 seasons. The outcome of these final duals will not only determine whether Ohio State completes an undefeated season but also sets the stage for their pursuit of a Big Ten championship and national title.
The team’s performance this weekend will be a crucial indicator of their readiness for the challenges ahead. Fans can follow the action live on BTN and B1G+, and updates will be available on X @wrestlingbucks and TrackWrestling.
What are your predictions for the Buckeyes’ matches against Penn State and Maryland? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
