COLUMBUS, Ohio– Behind six wins, the fifth-ranked Ohio State wrestling team beat No. 19 Michigan, 24-12, Friday night in Cliff Keen Arena in Ann Arbor, Mich. Ohio State improves to 11-2 overall and 5-2 in the Big Ten, while the Wolverines drop to 8-6 overall and 2-5 in the league.
Despite a slim 9-6 lead after the 149-pound match, the Scarlet and Gray picked up four wins in the remaining six matches, including redshirt sophomore Josh Demas’ pin of Michael Carpenter in 4:37 in the 157-pound bout. Thanks to Demas’ victory, Ohio State went into intermission with a 15-6 advantage.
The Buckeyes were down, 3-0, early after the 125-pound match when senior Nikko Triggas dropped a 2-1 decision to No. 15 Sean Boyle. Triggas was the victim of an early takedown in the first period by Boyle and that proved to be enough for the Michigan win despite Triggas dominating on top and amassing riding time. However, redshirt-sophomore Logan Stieber put Ohio State in the win column courtesy of a 16-1 technical fall over Rosario Bruno at 133 pounds. With the win, Stieber recorded another bonus point victory to bring his season total to nine falls, five technical falls and two major decisions for a 17-0 season record.
Sophomore Hunter Stieber lifted the Buckeyes to a 9-3 lead following a 9-0 major decision win vs. Mike Hillock at 141 pounds. Stieber quickly jumped out to a 5-0 lead and held that advantage after the first period. Following a scoreless second period, Stieber used an escape, takedown and riding time to maintain his perfect 25-0 record.
The Wolverines were able to cut Ohio State’s lead to three (9-6) after Ian Paddock dropped a 2-0 decision to 10th-ranked Eric Grajales in the 149-pound bout. However, Demas’ match at 157 pounds turned the momentum in favor of the Scarlet and Gray.
A 3-0 setback by freshman Mark Martin at 165 pounds to ninth-ranked Taylor Massa brought Michigan back to within six points (15-9), but three consecutive Buckeye wins between 174-197 pounds propelled Ohio State to its 18th win vs. Michigan and the fifth under head coach Tom Ryan since his arrival at Ohio State in 2006-07.
Redshirt junior Nick Heflin once again pulled out a close match, this time, 3-2, vs. No. 10 Dan Yates at 174 pounds. With both wrestlers locked up at two a piece, Heflin recorded an escape seven seconds into the third period to wrap up the bout.
Up next, 184-pound senior C.J. Magrum handed Chris Heald a 13-6 loss for his 11th win of the season. Up 5-3 after the first period, Magrum scored two takedowns and an escape in the second period to take a 10-4 lead into the third. Despite a pair of escapes by Heald, Magrum answered with another takedown and riding time for the win.
Filling in for the injured Andrew Campolattano for the second consecutive match, Kenny Courts moved up to 197 pounds and defeated Max Huntley, 3-1, in dramatic fashion. With the score tied, 1-1, Courts scored a takedown with 15 seconds left on the clock for the win.
Redshirt sophomore Kosta Karageorge received the start at heavyweight and suffered a 6-1 defeat to No. 19 Ben Apland to wrap up the match. Trailing Apland by one at the end of the second period, Karageorge gave up a 3-point nearfall and riding time in the third period en route to the loss.
Up next, Ohio State will host No. 3 Penn State at 4 p.m. Sunday in St. John Arena. Fans are encouraged to arrive early as doors open at 2:30 p.m. and park on the south side of St. John Arena.