2006-07 Wrestling Season Outlook – Ohio State Buckeyes
10/26/2006 12:00:00 AM | General, Wrestling
Oct. 26, 2006
A new era has begun in Ohio State wrestling with first-year head coach Tom Ryan becoming the ninth head coach in the history of the 86-year-old program. Ryan was hired April 22, 2006 and upon his arrival to Columbus he immediately began putting together a world-class assistant coaching staff.
Ryan appointed former four-time OSU All-American and U.S. Senior National Team member Tommy Rowlands assistant coach. Rowlands will be joined on the staff by 2006 U.S. Senior World Team head coach and 1996 U.S. Olympian Lou Rosselli as an assistant coach. Joe Heskett, a four-time U.S. Senior National Team member and NCAA champion, also adds to the contingent as a volunteer assistant coach.
Starting anew, the Buckeyes have begun building the foundation that will support their rise to the top of the Big Ten Conference standings and national rankings.
“A staff of true champions has been assembled,” Ryan, who spent 11 years at Hofstra, said. “Character, commitment and the desire to be the best is the foundation of successful individuals and successful programs.”
The Scarlet and Gray has five important dates marked on its calendars, the first being March 3-4 and the second March 15-17. It is at the conference and national championships Ohio State seeks to recapture the feats from years past. With the return of six national qualifiers, including two All-Americans and a host of up-and-coming wrestlers ready to burst upon the scene, Ryan and Co. have little doubt those dates and the season as a whole will be labeled as the beginning of one of the most successful periods in the history of OSU wrestling.
125
The top contender for the 125-pound class is Will Livingston. A true freshman, Livingston demonstrates exceptional work ethic. During the first week of preseason training, Livingston arrived at Ohio State in shape and focused. He cruised through the team’s first timed mile, completing it in an impressive 4:54.
“Hard work and the sheer will to win is a premiere factor for this weight class, Ryan said.”
125 Notable: Anner Arroyo
133
Returning to 133 pounds after spending last season wrestling at 141, T. J. Enright found another approach to utilizing his abilities. Enright joined the OSU running club during the offseason and ran more than 40 miles a week. A disciplined wrestler, Enright’s running habits should give him added endurance during matches.
Also in contention is Reece Humphrey. Humphrey, a talented and versatile wrestler, was tied for the most wins on the team with 26 among starters last season as a true freshman and was a NCAA championships qualifier. Before joining the Buckeyes, Humphrey was a Junior National Champion for Lawrence North High School in Indianapolis, Ind.
“We have great depth at this weight class with either wrestler capable of being a major impact on the national scene,” Ryan said. “Reece still has a redshirt year, so we will see what happens.”
133 Notable: Owen Schaefer
141
Also making a return to his original weight class is J Jaggers. A four-time Ohio high school state champion, Jaggers has recovered from two season-ending injuries during his OSU career, including an ACL injury he suffered at the 2006 Big Ten Championships. Finishing sixth, Jaggers qualified for the NCAA championships, but was forced to bow out of the tournament because of the injury. Arguably, one of the most entertaining wrestlers in the country, Jaggers has been relentlessly rehabilitating and training during the offseason for an opportunity to showcase his talents at the NCAA tournament.
“A healthy J Jaggers is trouble for anyone in the country,” Ryan said.
141 Notable: Matt Fleming
149
A two-time Ohio high school state champion, Jason Johnstone is known for his aggressive style of wrestling. He is committed to making the leap from good to great and works hard to ensure his success.
A four-time Ohio high school state champion and top recruit, Lance Palmer is an extremely strong and physical wrestler who also will compete at 149. Known for his talents on top, he will transition from high school to collegiate competition with little difficulty.
“Much like 133, these two individuals have extremely bright futures in the Buckeye singlet,” Ryan said. “Both are standouts and high impact wrestlers.”
157
Fifth-year senior and Hofstra transfer Chris Vondruska adds great depth to the 157 weight class. Vondruska, who went 2-2 at the NCAA championships last season at 165 pounds, is an Ohio native, who finished second at the high school state tournament for St. Edwards.
Jordin Humphrey is a fifth-year senior preparing to capitalize on his last season as a Buckeye. He is state runner up from Indiana and broke the state takedown record his senior year.
“Two seniors will battle it out, but Vondruska has valuable NCAA experience that is irreplaceable,” Ryan said.
165
True freshman Ryan Patrovich comes to Ohio State as a high school national runner-up and Junior National runner-up. A mature wrestler, who is game-day ready, Patrovich also will shift to collegiate competition with ease.
“Very few wrestlers, let alone true freshmen have the well-rounded tools that Ryan has,” Ryan said. “It will be fun for the fans to watch him grow over the next few years.”
165 Notable: Wes Bergman
174
Blake Maurer, a 2006 NCAA qualifier will continue to see action at 174 pounds. A four-time Indiana high school state champion at Mater Dei, Maurer’s explosive and quick tactics gives him the tools to compete with anyone in the country.
“When someone makes a conscious commitment to excel, they can be difficult to stop,” Ryan said. “Blake has made that commitment.”
174 Notables: Tommy Priestley, Jon Savia and Thomas Wilson
184
Vastly improving at 184 pounds is senior Alex Picazo. During the summer, Picazo put time in on the mats, wrestling three to four times a week. His dedication only can be rivaled, not beaten. A leader by example, Picazo still has the option to redshirt or make a run at the title in Detroit.
Mike Pucillo was a three-time Ohio high school state finalist, state champion and high school national champion. Pucillo possesses an amazing fight and mat presence that is not found in many athletes. He only is a freshman, but he will compete with anyone and everyone in the country.
“Alex and Mike are both committed and passionate, with unlimited potential,” Ryan said. “The Buckeyes are well represented at this weight.”
197
Returning to the lineup after medical redshirting the 2005-06 season is J.D. Bergman. A 2004 All-American as a true freshman, Bergman has dedicated himself to the sport, as he is one of the nation’s best in Greco Roman and freestyle wrestling. Bergman has been a member of the U.S. Greco Roman National Team and placed fourth in freestyle competition this past summer at the World Team trials.
“Talented, strong and versatile, J.D. expects nothing less than winning the NCAA title,” Ryan said.
A transfer from Roger Williams University, Zack Weinrich was a Division III national qualifier at RWU. With three years of eligibility remaining, Weinrich looks to use his notable work habits as a launching pad to Division I qualifying status.
“Zack, a young hardworking wrestler, also provides the Buckeyes with added depth,” Ryan said.
197 Notables: Jacob Hale, Nickolai Timbs and Brian Tucker
HWT
Kirk Nail, a 2006 All-American has made a commitment to improve all areas of his skills and with that pledge Nail has the ability to stand on top of the All-America podium.
Moving up a weight class is Corey Morrison, who has one of the premier work ethics on the team. Although Morrison is growing into the weight class, he is athletic and dedicated to advancing as a technician.
“Kirk provides success and experience at this class,” Ryan said. “Corey’s youth and passion will make him a serious factor. He provides the Buckeyes with great depth.”
HWT Notables: Jason Cook and Steve Dumas
SCHEDULE
Ohio State faces a tough schedule in 2006-07, as two of its opponents – Iowa (4th) and Cornell (5th) – finished in the Top 5 of the 2006 NCAA tournament. Additionally, Big Ten rivals Michigan and Penn State were Top 10 contenders in the national tournament and Northwestern, Missouri, Indiana, Michigan State and Purdue rounded out the Top 20 from the NCAA championships last season.
The Buckeyes begin the season at the Michigan State Open Nov. 12 in East Lansing, Mich., before opening its home schedule in St. John Arena against Missouri Nov. 16, the first dual meet in the Tom Ryan era.
The Scarlet and Gray then will travel to Ithaca, N.Y., Nov. 26 where it will face Cornell, which won its 23rd-consecutive Ivy League Conference championship and placed second at the Eastern Intercollegiate Wrestling Association championships last season.
Sandwiched in between Ohio State’s match ups with Cornell and Tennessee-Chattanooga, the 2006 Southern Conference champion, is the Las Vegas Invitational. The Buckeyes travel to Primm, Nev., Dec. 1 and then return to St. John Arena to face the Mocs Dec. 17.
The Southern Scuffle Dec. 28-29 in Greensboro, N.C., concludes the tournament portion of the schedule.
Ohio State begins the new year with a home match vs. MAC opponent Kent State Jan. 7 before opening the Big Ten season against Purdue in Columbus Jan. 14.
The Buckeyes will compete in the Ashland Duals Jan. 21 in Ashland, Ohio, and will return to conference action against Penn State, which finished ninth in the NCAA championships, Jan. 26 in University, Park, Pa.
Consecutive home duals vs. Indiana and Michigan State close out January and begins February. The Buckeyes and Hoosiers meet Jan. 28 and OSU faces MSU Feb. 2.
OSU takes a trip to St. Edwards High School in Lakewood, Ohio, for a match against Northwestern Feb. 4 before ending the regular season with three consecutive road duals.
A meeting with NCAA seventh-place finisher Michigan in Ann Arbor, is Feb. 11. In Iowa City, Iowa, the Buckeyes will face the Hawkeyes Feb. 16 and a visit to Champaign, Ill., Feb. 18, in a match up against the Fighting Illini, concludes the regular season.
The postseason gets underway March 3-4 at the Big Ten championships in East Lansing, Mich. Michigan State University will serve as the host school of the league championships. The NCAA championships, hosted by the University of Michigan and the Detroit Metro Sports Commission, will be held at The Palace of Auburn Hills in Detroit.
