Ohio State Wrestling: Oklahoma Gold Classic Awaits No. 3 Ohio State
Published on November 11, 2009 by viratas · No Comments
COLUMBUS, Ohio - The third-ranked Ohio State wrestling team (0-0 overall; 0-0 Big Ten) continues the early portion of the 2009-10 season with an open-tournament appearance at the Oklahoma Gold Classic Saturday in Tuttle North Gym in Brockport, N.Y.
THIS IS WHERE WE STAND
The Buckeyes are No. 3 in the InterMat preseason rankings released Oct. 23. The poll was one of two major preseason standings recently released. The other was Wrestling Insider Newsmagazine (WIN), which places Ohio State’s Tournament Power Index (TPI) fourth Oct. 5. The TPI ranks squads based on their number of ranked wrestlers and potential All-Americans (places 1-8). WIN is scheduled to release its dual rankings Nov. 30.
Six Buckeyes are ranked individually in the WIN poll, while there are seven Top 20 OSU wrestlers in the InterMat standings.
WIN Preseason Rankings – Oct. 5
125: Nikko Triggas – 15th
141: Reece Humphrey – 5th
149: Lance Palmer – 3rd
165: Colt Sponseller – 8th
174: Dave Rella – 13th
184: Mike Pucillo – 1st
InterMat Preseason Rankings – Oct. 23
125: Nikko Triggas – 14th
141: Reece Humphrey – 1st
149: Lance Palmer – 3rd
165: Colt Sponseller – 8th
174: Dave Rella – 15th
184: Mike Pucillo – 1st
285: Corey Morrison – 17th
HEY NOW, YOU’RE AN ALL-STAR
Senior tri-captain Lance Palmer was recently invited to compete in the prestigious 44th NWCA All-Star Classic Nov. 22 in Titan Gym on the campus of California State Fullerton.
Palmer, ranked third at 149 pounds in major preseason polls, will wrestle No. 5 Kyle Borshoff of American. The native of Columbia Station, Ohio, is in the running to become Ohio State’s second four-time All-American. He would join Tommy Rowlands (2001-04). So far, Palmer has garnered a pair of fourth-place finishes at the NCAA championships during his freshman and junior seasons. He finished eighth his sophomore year. Palmer also has two third-place Big Ten championships finishes to his credit (2007 and 2009).
YOU DON’T WANT TO MISS OUT!
In 2009-10, fans who attend Ohio State home matches can expect to be a part of an exciting atmosphere in St. John Arena as they cheer on the Buckeyes.
Starting with Ohio State’s first home match of the season Nov. 20 vs. Lehigh, the first 500 fans will receive posters and there will be a free pom-pom giveaway to the first 2,000 fans.
When Ohio State welcomes Penn State and first-year head coach Cael Sanderson to St. John Arena Jan. 24, the wrestling team hopes fans will assist them in breaking the wrestling attendance record. Tom Ryan and the Buckeyes are encouraging all fans to wear Scarlet in an attempt to surpass their previous best of 5,341 set two seasons ago vs. Michigan.
A week later, Feb. 5 vs. Michigan, is Military Appreciation Night. Ohio State will take time to recognize those who are currently or were involved in the Armed Services. Also, the evening will feature a tribute to former Buckeye wrestler Ray Mendoza, who died of wounds sustained during Operation Steel Curtain Nov. 14, 2005 in New Ubaydi, Iraq. Mendoza is believed to be the first and only former or current Ohio State student-athlete to die in the war in Iraq. Past Buckeye wrestlers will be recognized as the evening also is alumni night.
Following Ohio State’s match vs. Northwestern Feb. 7, fans will have an opportunity to meet their favorite Buckeye wrestler during a postmatch autograph session.
Finally, Feb. 14 is Senior Day. Seven Buckeyes will be recognized prior to the match vs. Michigan State.
For continued up-to-date information on Ohio State wrestling promotions, as well as all current news on Ohio State athletics, visit the official website, OhioStateBuckeyes.com.
NAME YOUR PRICE
Tickets to Ohio State home matches in St. John Arena are $8 for adults and $5 for youth. Groups of 10 or more can pre-purchase tickets for $4. Ohio State students are admitted free with a valid BuckID.
Fans can purchase tickets by visiting the Schottenstein Center box office, online through ticketmaster.com or by calling Ticketmaster’s phone center, (614) 431-3600.
Those interested in group sales also can call Kathleen Razinger in the Ohio State group sales department at (614) 292-4797.
CHECK IT OUT
Ohio State will appear on the Big Ten Network twice during the 2009-10 season, the network announced Oct. 20. The Buckeyes will air on same-day delay at 7 p.m. Jan. 24 vs. Penn State and again at 10:30 p.m. Feb. 19 at Iowa.
Ohio State and Penn State will wrestle at 2 p.m. Jan. 24 in St. John Arena. The Top 2 finishers at the 2008 and 2009 NCAA Championships, the Buckeyes and Hawkeyes will meet in a conference showdown at 8 p.m. ET in Iowa City.
it’s permanent
IT’S PERMANENT
J Jaggers, two-time NCAA champion and current volunteer assistant coach, was honored at the team’s second-annual The National Championships Wall Ceremony Sept. 26 at the Steelwood Athletic Training Facility.
“The wall ceremony is about imprinting the vision of greatness on the minds of our team early enough in the season so they can do something about it,” Tom Ryan, head coach, said. “J Jaggers set a high standard on the mat and in the classroom for others in the program to follow. We appreciate all the alumni and friends who came out to honor J.”
Arguably the most eye-catching feature of Ohio State’s training facility, the northeast portion of the room honors the 11 former and current Buckeye national champions with life-size likenesses of each wrestler. The replicas stand approximately 6 feet in stature and display each wrestler in an action or stance shot during one of their championship seasons.
The celebration came in recognition of Jaggers’ second-consecutive national title at 141 pounds. Former Ohio State coach Tommy Rowlands was the guest speaker. It was quite fitting for Rowlands to serve as the presenter. Before Jaggers’ second NCAA title, Rowlands was the last Buckeye to win two NCAA crowns. In all, three Buckeyes have captured two national championships – Jaggers (2008, ’09), Rowlands (2002, ’04) and Kevin Randleman (1992, ’93). Jaggers also concluded his collegiate career as a three-time All-American and three-time All-Academic team member.
WHAT AN HONOR
Head coach Tom Ryan and the Buckeyes were recognized by Columbus City Council Sept. 21 with a Resolution of Expression. Council member A. Troy Miller introduced Ryan and the 36-member squad with the official document in city council chambers.
Also present were Buckeye assistant coach Joe Heskett, volunteer assistant coach J Jaggers and strength and conditioning coach Alex Picazo.
The Resolution is in acknowledgement of Ryan, the 2009 National Coach of the Year, guiding the Scarlet and Gray to three Top 10 NCAA finishes, including consecutive runner-up finishes in 2008 and 2009, since his arrival to campus four seasons ago. Under Ryan’s leadership, Ohio State has three individual national champions, 12 All-Americans, six national finalists and 22 national qualifiers.
Academically, the Buckeyes have boasted seven National Wrestling Coaches’ Association (NWCA) Academic All-Americans, 21 Academic All-Big Ten honorees and 26 Ohio State Scholar-Athletes.
Ohio State also is active in the Columbus community. The team routinely volunteers at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, participates in the Second & Seven Foundation, which strives to eliminate illiteracy, and partners with the Mad River Wrestling Officials Association to help raise awareness and funds for autism.
WHAT A CLASS
Head coach Tom Ryan’s current freshman class was ranked the 10th-best recruiting class in the nation by internet publication InterMatwrestle.com. The 2009-10 freshman class is comprised of 11 Buckeyes, including early National Letter of Intent signees Nick Heflin, Ian Paddock, Collin Palmer and Jacob Vaughan last November. Peter Capone signed an NLI in June. The class enters its first season as Buckeyes having won nine individual high school state titles.
PATH TO A NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP
A regular-season finale vs. Big Ten Conference rival Iowa and numerous top-notch matches in St. John Arena in Columbus, Ohio, highlight Ohio State’s 2009-10 schedule.
Of note, the Buckeyes will host seven matches throughout the season, including Lehigh Nov. 20 and the Buckeye Duals Nov. 22 to kick off the 2009-10 home schedule. Three weeks later Dec. 13, Ohio State and Edinboro will square off for the third-consecutive season at Perrysburg High School in Perrysburg, Ohio. With both teams even in wins at three apiece from 1985-1997, the Scarlet and Gray have now won three-consecutive matches beginning in 1998.
The Big Ten season kicks off Jan. 24 when the Buckeyes welcome Penn State. The Nittany Lions will debut first-year head coach Cael Sanderson this upcoming season.
The home schedule continues when Michigan comes to Columbus Feb. 5. The match against the Wolverines is Alumni Night. Two days later Feb. 7, Ohio State and Northwestern will meet in St. John Arena.
The Buckeyes’ home schedule concludes against Michigan State. After a one-year hiatus, the Buckeyes and Spartans will wrestle Feb. 14.
Always looking to get some quality preparation into its schedule, the Buckeyes begin their slate with open-tournament action at the Oklahoma Gold Classic Saturday in New York. The Scarlet and Gray return to the road Dec. 4-5 for its annual trip to Nevada for the Las Vegas Invitational. The Buckeyes were able to secure runner-up finishes from Lance Palmer and Colt Sponseller at 149 and 165 pounds, respectively, last season. Ohio State finished 11th (tied) as a team in the Las Vegas Convention Center.
The Buckeyes open the New Year Jan. 3 at Columbia and they also will wrestle Hofstra and George Mason in New York. The following weekend Jan. 9-10, the Scarlet and Gray will travel to Cedar Falls, Iowa, for the NWCA Cliff Keen National Duals. This past season, Ohio State finished fifth following a 25-12 win over Minnesota.
Ohio State concludes January in the state of Indiana, where it will wrestle Purdue Jan. 29 in West Lafayette before traveling to Bloomington to take on Indiana Jan. 31.
The following month the Buckeyes and Illinois will meet Feb. 12. The Illini also will introduce first-year head coach Jim Heffernan.
Ohio State’s regular-season finale will showcase itself in Iowa City against the Hawkeyes. The No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the nation at the conclusion of the 2008-09 season will battle for bragging rights Feb. 19.
The postseason gets underway March 6-7 with the Big Ten championships in Ann Arbor. Michigan will serve as the event’s host. Two weeks later March 18-20, the Buckeyes will travel to Omaha, Neb., for the NCAA championships at the Qwest Center.
BLINK AND YOU MISSED IT
Ohio State sent members of the team to wrestle in the 18th Annual EMU Open at Bowen Field House in Ypsilanti, Mich., Nov. 8.
Freshmen Mike Fee (149) and Peter Capone (174) won their first events as college competitors. Sophomore Johnny Hiles (HWT) also secured a championship to start the season on a high note. Meanwhile, sophomore Tony Jameson was the runner-up at 157 pounds. All four competed in the Freshman/Sophomore Division.
In the Open Division, junior Nikko Triggas was the lone Buckeye to place as he finished sixth at 125 pounds.
Buckeyes Give Back: Mid-Ohio Foodbank Drive
This action-packed weekend, several Buckeye teams will take on another challenge – feeding those in need. Throughout the weekend, Nov. 13-15, Ohio State will have boxes at each entrance of St. John Arena, Value City Arena and the OSU Ice Rink to collect non-perishable food items to donate to the Mid-Ohio Foodbank.
Please give and help the Buckeyes help those in need! Your support is appreciated.
Collection boxes will be placed at the entrances to the following home events this weekend:
Friday: Women’s Basketball and Women’s Volleyball at St. John Arena, Men’s Hockey at Value City Arena, Women’s Hockey at the OSU Ice Rink
Saturday: Football Skull Session in St. John Arena, Men’s Hockey at Value City Arena, Women’s Hockey at the OSU Ice Rink
Sunday: Women’s Basketball at Value City Arena, Women’s Volleyball at St. John Arena.
UP NEXT
The 2009-10 home schedule in St. John Arena gets underway as the Buckeyes host No. 19 Lehigh at 7 p.m. Nov. 20. Ohio State then will welcome 11 teams for the Buckeye Duals in St. John Arena Nov. 22. Action at the Buckeye Duals will begin at 10 a.m.
