2020 NCAA Runner-Up Sammy Sasso (Photo/Sam Janicki; SJanickiPhoto.com)Ohio State Buckeyes
Tom Ryan was hired as Ohio State's wrestling coach ahead of the 2006-07 season, and the results he's produced since then have been quite impressive.
In Ryan's 15 years in charge, the Buckeyes have produced 13 top-10 finishes at the NCAA Championships, eight top-5 finishes, five times have finished as runner-ups, and won the team title in 2015. They've also won three Big Ten tournament titles, too.
As he enters Year 16 in Columbus, Ryan is confident in the team he plans to field this season. The Buckeyes have the talent to perhaps be a sneaky darkhorse trophy contender come March, but there's still plenty of work to do in the months ahead.
“I think this team is hungry,†Ryan said. “We've got a lot of good guys. We just need our good guys to jump levels, and we'll be right in the thick of things.â€
TOP RETURNERS
Sammy Sasso is the headliner, the defending Big Ten champion at 149 pounds and returning NCAA finalist. He boasts a career record of 40-4 and has never lost a Big Ten dual match. He will lead the Buckeyes this season.
“The team trusts him,†Ryan said of Sasso. “He doesn't waste words. His example is really strong. They see the way he trains and does things, so they trust him. He creates a lot of communication among the team. He's a strong leader.â€
Behind Sasso, the Buckeyes return two more All-Americans, in Ethan Smith and Tate Orndorff. Smith took fifth at 165 but will bump to 174 this season. Orndorff, the Utah Valley transfer, finished eighth in a deep, deep heavyweight field last year.
In all, Ohio State had seven NCAA qualifiers a year ago. In addition to the All-Americans, Malik Heinselman (125), Dylan D'Emilio (141), Kaleb Romero (who qualified at 174 but will bump to 184) and Rocky Jordan (184). Jordan Decatur (133) and Gavin Hoffman (197) are both back as well.
“I like the depth,†Ryan said. “But they'll all be challenged by somebody.â€
Ryan said D'Emilio, Decatur and Anthony Echemendia, will battle for the starting spot at 141, and if Decatur doesn't win it, he may drop back down to 133. Ryan also said Romero and Jordan will wrestle-off for the starting spot at 184.
Ohio State's wrestle-offs are set for Oct. 26 and 28 at the Covelli Center in Columbus.
KEY DEPARTURES
Elijah Cleary, a two-time participant at the Big Ten Championships for Ohio State, transferred to Pittsburgh this offseason. He went 40-26 for the Buckeyes and scored a point at the Big Ten tournament.
His departure leaves a hole at 157 pounds, which Ryan said could be filled by any number of competitors, including, potentially, a true freshman. Keep reading for more.
TOP NEWCOMERS
There are three names to watch in the way of newcomers for the Buckeyes this season.
The first: Carson Kharchla…kind of. He went 16-0 during his redshirt year in 2019-20, then sat out last year after a preseason injury. He's expected to be the guy at 165 this season.
The second: Andre Gonzales, a true freshman from California power Poway who Ryan said is expected to lead the charge at 133 this season.
The third: Paddy Gallagher, another talented true freshman from nearby powerhouse St. Ed who might be the guy at 157 later this season.
Keyword: might.
Ryan said Gallagher will carry his redshirt through the first half of the season and they will make a decision in the second half whether or not to pull it.
“Paddy Gallagher is an impressive person,†Ryan said. “We're not sure if we're going to redshirt him or not, but we definitely won't wrestle him early on. There's a handful of other guys there, too.â€
In the meantime, guys like Isaac Wilcox, Jashon Hubbard, and Kevon Freeman will vie for the spot.
WRESTLER TO WATCH
Carson Kharchla was tremendous during his redshirt year. In his 16-0 record, he notched wins over Cal Poly's Bernie Truax (by fall), Michigan's Cam Amine (3-2), Buffalo's Troy Keller (19-2), among others. He also beat Virginia Tech's Mekhi Lewis and N.C. State graduate Tommy Gantt at the RTC Cup. He will likely cause big problems this year for the rest of the Big Ten at 165 pounds.
“Carson's going to be a fun one to watch,†Ryan said. “He's going to be tough at 165.â€
POTENTIAL LINEUP
125: Malik Heinselman (Sr)
133: Andre Gonzales (Fr)/ Dylan Koontz (Sr)
141: Dyan D'Emilio (So)/Anthony Echemendia (So)/Jordan Decatur (Jr)
149: Sammy Sasso (Jr)
157: Isaac Wilcox (So)/Jashon Hubbard (Jr)/ Kevon Freeman (Jr)/Paddy Gallagher (Fr)
165: Carson Kharchla (So)
174: Ethan Smith (Sr)
184: Kaleb Romero (Sr)/Rocky Jordan (Jr)
197: Gavin Hoffman (Jr)
285: Tate Orndorff (Sr)
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