THE SHORT STORY
The Buckeyes were bolstered by wins in seven of 10 matches, starting with redshirt freshman Jose Rodriguez's 3-1 decision at 125 to open the dual and ending with Snyder's pin of Austin Myers in 4:32. In between, fans were treated to victories from true freshman Luke Pletcher, redshirt sophomore Micah Jordan, redshirt juniors Nathan Tomasello and Bo Jordan and sophomore Myles Martin.
RODRIGUEZ'S HOME DEBUT
At 9-2, Rodriguez was coming off the biggest performance of his rookie season - a runner-up showing last weekend at the CKLV Invitational. His match-up with Missouri's Aaron Assad was ultimately decided on a first period takedown with just 38 seconds remaining in the period. The only points that were scored the rest of the way were escapes. Rodriguez, ranked No. 10 nationally, improves to 10-2.
TOMASELLO'S MAJOR MAKES IT 7-0
In one of the premier match-ups coming into the dual, Tomasello made his St. John Arena debut at 133 pounds and looked as strong as ever, taking control of the match and ninth-ranked Jaydin Eierman in the second period with a takedown and four-point near fall to go ahead 8-0.
PLETCHER MOVES TO 9-0
In his first appearance in the varsity lineup, Pletcher used timely takedowns at the end of the first and second periods and strong third period defense to register a 6-4 decision over Zach Synon. Pletcher improves to 9-0 on the year (he won his previous eight matches in open tournaments wrestling at 133 lbs.) and his win gave Ohio State a 10-0 lead.
JORDAN BROTHERS EARN BONUS POINTS
M. Jordan (18-0) came into Thursday night's dual leading the Buckeyes in nearly every offensive category, including takedowns and total points scored. He added to both of those in a big way, taking down Alex Butler eight times while also adding a four-point near fall in his 23-7 technical fall. His older brother Bo wrestled in his first varsity match of the season and looked to be in midseason form, scoring third takedowns in the second and two more in the third for a 14-6 major decision.
MARTIN WINS EASY, MOORE PUSHES COX
Martin rolled up 16 first-period points on Matthew Lemanowicz at 184 lbs. and finished off his technical fall with a four-point near fall early in the second period, setting the stage for one of the most entertaining matches of the night. Sixth-ranked Moore gave No. 1 J'den Cox, the defending national champion and reigning bronze medalist, all he could handle at 197 lbs. Moore took Cox down twice in the third period to pull to within one, 5-4, but can out of time to score the tying takedown (Cox added a point of riding time).
SNYDER FINISHES IT OFF
Snyder, competing in Columbus for the first time since making history at the Rio Olympic Games last August, took Missouri's Austin Myers down four times in the first period and four more times in the second before closing it out with a fall at the 4:32 mark of the match. It was Snyder's fourth pin of the season (he had one in his first two seasons combined).
WHAT'S NEXT
The Buckeyes return to action next Sunday, Dec. 18, when they take on Northwestern at Wadsworth High School. The dual is slated to begin at noon.
POSTMATCH QUOTES
Head coach Tom Ryan
On what he told the team before the match
"Well I think the most important thing for our team tonight was to continue to find value in scoring points. I think what we're seeing with this team is a good combination of leadership and some of the younger guys. Overall, it was a good performance from us."
On Cody Burcher
"I think what we need to continue to see from Cody is that he is not satisfied with close loses. Close loses and wins are worlds apart. He's definitely made some great gains though. We want to see his philosophy of attacking no matter the score to continue."
Junior Kyle Snyder
On balancing his international and collegiate schedule
"I rely on people I know that care about me to help me out. I can't do it myself, that would be too hard. I have great coaches and friends and family that help me and are really supportive. At the same time, I love what I am doing and wouldn't want it any other way."
On wrestling at St. John Arena
"People wouldn't think I would get nervous wrestling here, but I do still get a little nervous. I care about what I am doing and I want to do well. The comparison is pretty hard to say but I do always get excited to wrestle here."
Rs.-Junior Nathan Tomasello
On the start of his season
"Patience has been very important for me thus far. I dealt with an injury that made it hard to train the way I wanted to this summer. But I have gotten a lot of support from the training staff to make it to this point to come back better than I was before."
On wrestling up a weight class
"I feel like I have more energy and more strength. I don't have to worry about my weight too much anymore or the stress of weight management. So I have just been able to come out firing and attack."
Results:
125: #10 Jose Rodriguez (OSU) decision over Aaron Assad (MIZZU) 3-1 | OSU 3, MIZZU 0
133: #3 Nathan Tomasello (OSU) major decision over #9 Jaydin Eierman (MIZZU) 12-2 | OSU 7, MIZZU 0
141: Luke Pletcher (OSU) decision over Zach Synon (MIZZU) 6-4 | OSU 10, MIZZU 0
149: #5 Micah Jordan (OSU) technical fall over Alex Butler (MIZZU) 23-7 | OSU 15, MIZZU 0
157: #6 Joey Lavallee (MIZZU) decision over Jake Ryan 12-5 | OSU 15, MIZZU 3
165: #4 Daniel Lewis (MIZZU) decision over Cody Burcher 6-1 | OSU 15, MIZZU 6
174: #1 Bo Jordan (OSU) major decision over Dylan Wisman 14-6 | OSU 19, MIZZU 6
184: #5 Myles Martin (OSU) technical fall over Matthew Lemanowicz (MIZZU) 21-5 | OSU 24, MIZZU 6
197: #1 J'den Cox decision over #6 Kollin Moore (OSU) 6-4 | OSU 24, MIZZU 9
285: #1 Kyle Snyder (OSU) fall over Austin Myers (MIZZU) 4:32 | OSU 30, MIZZU 9
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