Mendez, Welsh Advance to NCAA Finals, Secure All-America Status

Friday, March 22

Kansas City, Missouri

Ohio State

2024 NCAA Championships

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - MARCH 22: Nick Feldman of the Ohio State University Buckeyes competes against Greg Kerkvliet of the Penn State University Nittany Lions in the 285-pound class quarterfinal during the Division I Men's Wrestling Championship held at T-Mobile Center on March 21, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Evert Nelson/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)

Photo by: NCAA Photos via Getty Images

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - MARCH 22: Ryder Rogotzke of the Ohio State University Buckeyes competes against Nate Dugan of the Princeton University Tigers during the Division I Men's Wrestling Championship held at T-Mobile Center on March 21, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Evert Nelson/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)

Photo by: NCAA Photos via Getty Images

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - MARCH 22: Ryder Rogotzke of the Ohio State University Buckeyes competes during the Division I Men's Wrestling Championship held at T-Mobile Center on March 21, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Evert Nelson/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)

Photo by: NCAA Photos via Getty Images

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - MARCH 22: Rocco Welsh of the Ohio State University Buckeyes competes against Edmond Ruth of the University of Illinois Fighting Illini in the 174-pound class during the Division I Men's Wrestling Championship held at T-Mobile Center on March 21, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Evert Nelson/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)

Photo by: NCAA Photos via Getty Images

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - MARCH 22: Isaac Wilcox of the Ohio State University Buckeyes competes against Cael Swensen of the South Dakota State University Jackrabbits in the 157-pound class during the Division I Men's Wrestling Championship held at T-Mobile Center on March 21, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Evert Nelson/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)

Photo by: NCAA Photos via Getty Images

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - MARCH 22: Rocco Welsh of the Ohio State University Buckeyes takes on Edmond Ruth of the University of Illinois Fighting Illini in the 174-pound class during the Division I Men's Wrestling Championship held at T-Mobile Center on March 21, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Evert Nelson/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)

Photo by: NCAA Photos via Getty Images

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - MARCH 22: Jesse Mendez of the Ohio State University Buckeyes takes on Brock Hardy of the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers in the 141-pound class during the Division I Men's Wrestling Championship held at T-Mobile Center on March 21, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Evert Nelson/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)

Photo by: NCAA Photos via Getty Images

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - MARCH 22: Jesse Mendez of the Ohio State University Buckeyes celebrates his win over Brock Hardy of the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers in the 141-pound class quarterfinal round during the Division I Men's Wrestling Championship held at T-Mobile Center on March 21, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Evert Nelson/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)

Photo by: NCAA Photos via Getty Images

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - MARCH 21: Luke Geog of the Ohio State University Buckeyes competes against Silas Allred of the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers during the Division I Men's Wrestling Championship held at T-Mobile Center on March 21, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Evert Nelson/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)

Photo by: NCAA Photos via Getty Images

KANSAS CITY, MISSOURI - MARCH 22: during the Division I Men's Wrestling Championship held at T-Mobile Center on March 21, 2024 in Kansas City, Missouri. (Photo by Evert Nelson/NCAA Photos via Getty Images)

Photo by: NCAA Photos via Getty Images

Mendez, Welsh Advance to NCAA Finals, Secure All-America Status

3/22/2024 11:07:00 PM | Wrestling

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2024 NCAA Brackets | Ohio State Notes | NCAA Championships Information/Tickets | Scoring/Results

COLUMBUS, Ohio - Jesse Mendez, the No. 1 seed at the 2024 NCAA Championships at 141 pounds, and No. 6 seed Rocco Welch (174) will wrestle for a national titles Saturday at the T-Mobile Center in Kansas City Missouri.

With their performances Friday, three Buckeyes will take the stand as All-Americans Saturday.

Mendez defeated Anthony Echemendia of Iowa State in the semifinals Friday to advance to the title match.

Against Echemendia, Mendez scored first with a takedown and built nearly 90 seconds of riding time in the first period. Mendez added a point in the second with an early escape for a 4-0 lead heading into the third. Echemendia then got a takedown to make it 4-3 Buckeyes. Mendez then escaped for a 5-3 lead. Mendez was called for stalling to lead 5-4 and then got the win 6-4 with a point for riding time.

PHENOMENDEZ COMING FOR THE 'SHIP?? #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/OQYmaTMCll
— Ohio State Wrestling (@wrestlingbucks) March 23, 2024

The win set up bout for the national title against Penn State's Beau Bartlett, who Mendez defeated 4-1 for the 2024 Big Ten Championship. Bartlett won (SV, 4-3) the regular-season meeting in a dual at Penn State.

True freshman Rocco Welsh faced Lennox Wolak of Columbia in one of the semifinals at 174.

Neither wrestler scored in the first period. Welsh scored first with an escape to open the second, the only scoring after five minutes. Wolak, the No. 6 seed, escaped to tie it at 1-all to start the third. The bout then went to overtime where Welsh got the takedown to win, 4-1, to advance to the title bout.

Another B1G loss avenged?? True Freshman Rocco Welsh is heading to the semifinals?? #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/mD7nEkkOhO
— Ohio State Wrestling (@wrestlingbucks) March 22, 2024

He will face No. 9 seed Carter Starocci of Penn State in the title match.

AND HES A FRESHMAN #GoBucks https://t.co/o3cW16n0US pic.twitter.com/BHEHTlxW72
— Ohio State Wrestling (@wrestlingbucks) March 23, 2024

Mendez and Welsh secured spots in the semifinals with quarterfinal victories to ensure All-America status in 2024 (Top 8 finish). Mendez, now a two-time All-American, finished sixth a year ago as a true freshman at 133 pounds.

Mendez defeated Brock Hardy of Nebraska by decision, 6-2 in his quarterfinal match. Welsh avenged a pair of losses to Edmond Ruth of Illinois with a takedown in sudden victory for a 4-1 win. Ruth won battles during a regular-season meeting at the Covelli Center in Columbus and then during the Big Ten Championships at Maryland.

SPLADLE TO LOCK UP ALL-AMERICAN STATUS?? JESSE MENDEZ IS A DOG. #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/H5QP6sPsUF
— Ohio State Wrestling (@wrestlingbucks) March 22, 2024

Tom Ryan, head coach of the Buckeyes, has coached 13 All-American's at Ohio State in the 141-pound weight class during his 18 years in Columbus. Eight Buckeyes have earned All-America honors at 174 during Ryan's tenure. Feldman is the sixth at heavyweight.

In all, Ryan has coached 73 All-Americans at Ohio State.

if you're not hyped like Coach Ryan wyd??? #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/25Oi91Fdjz
— Ohio State Wrestling (@wrestlingbucks) March 23, 2024

Ohio State has had at least one All-American in each of Ryan's 18 years at Ohio State and in the last 19 years overall. At least two Buckeyes have earned All-America honors in each of the last 13 seasons.

Dylan D'Emilio (149) advanced to the Friday evening session through the consolation bracket with wins earlier in the day against Caleb Rathjen of Iowa (D, 7-2) and Gabe Willochell of Wyoming (D, 9-7).

???????? ?????? ????????.

B1G fifth place match loss = avenged.#GoBucks pic.twitter.com/1RGXKWFODr
— Ohio State Wrestling (@wrestlingbucks) March 22, 2024

D'Emilio took on Casey Swiderski of Iowa State in the blood round with All-America status on the line. He fell in the first tiebreaker, 2-1.

Feldman, the No. 9 seed at heavyweight, met Josh Heindselman of Oklahoma and won with a takedown in sudden victory for an 8-5 win. The win secured an All-America finish for the redshirt freshman.

the moment ?? #GoBucks https://t.co/QTfjyOkvoy pic.twitter.com/h8JCbmjFHO
— Ohio State Wrestling (@wrestlingbucks) March 23, 2024

Feldman fell in the quarterfinals to Penn State's Greg Kerkvliet of Penn State in a rematch of the 2024 Big Ten Tournament title bout. In another close match, Kerkvliet advanced to the semifinals with a 1-0 victory.

Feldman will wrestler in the consolation semifinals Saturday after ending the night Friday with a win over No. 7 seed Taye Ghadiali of Campbell (D, 10-4).

Ohio State is in 7th place after the second day of competition with 57.0 points.

2024 NCAA WRESTLING CHAMPIONSHIPS SCHEDULE
(all times Eastern and subject to change)
Session 5 - Medal Round/Saturday/March 23/11 a.m./ESPNU/ESPN+
Session 6 - Championship Finals/Saturday/March 23/7 p.m./ESPN/ESPN+

2024 Ohio State NCAA Day Two Results
125
Brendan McCrone (20-13)

Champ. Round 1 - Matt Ramos (Purdue) 27-7 won by decision over Brendan McCrone (Ohio State) 20-13 (Dec 4-3)
Cons. Round 1 - Brendan McCrone (Ohio State) 20-13 won by major decision over Noah Surtin (Missouri) 15-7 (MD 14-0)
Cons. Round 2 - Nico Provo (Stanford) 20-8 won by decision over Brendan McCrone (Ohio State) 20-13 (Dec 12-6)

133
Nic Bouzakis (25-11)

Champ. Round 1 - Nic Bouzakis (Ohio State) 25-11 won by decision over Braxton Brown (Maryland) 22-12 (Dec 8-5)
Champ. Round 2 - Daton Fix (Oklahoma State) 21-0 won by decision over Nic Bouzakis (Ohio State) 25-11 (Dec 5-4)
Cons. Round 2 - Nic Bouzakis (Ohio State) 25-11 won by decision over Derrick Cardinal (South Dakota State) 23-12 (Dec 14-8)
Cons. Round 3 - Aaron Nagao (Penn State) 17-7 won by decision over Nic Bouzakis (Ohio State) 25-11 (Dec 3-0)

141
Jesse Mendez (29-2)

Champ. Round 1 - Jesse Mendez (Ohio State) 29-2 won by tech fall over Todd Carter (Gardner-Webb) 26-13 (TF-1.5 5:31 (19-4))
Champ. Round 2 - Jesse Mendez (Ohio State) 29-2 won by fall over Isaiah Powe (Chattanooga) 25-4 (Fall 4:37)
Quarterfinal - Jesse Mendez (Ohio State) 29-2 won by decision over Brock Hardy (Nebraska) 23-9 (Dec 6-2)
Semifinal - Jesse Mendez (Ohio State) 29-2 won by decision over Anthony Echemendia (Iowa State) 23-5 (Dec 6-4)

TWO-TIME ALL-AMERICAN JESSE MENDEZ #GOBUCKS pic.twitter.com/owSpO3vrsp
— Ohio State Wrestling (@wrestlingbucks) March 22, 2024

149
Dylan D`Emilio (27-13)

Champ. Round 1 - Dylan D`Emilio (Ohio State) 27-13 won by decision over Joseph Zargo (Wisconsin) 21-11 (Dec 7-2)
Champ. Round 2 - Jackson Arrington (NC State) 20-5 won by decision over Dylan D`Emilio (Ohio State) 27-13 (Dec 8-1)
Cons. Round 2 - Dylan D`Emilio (Ohio State) 27-13 won by decision over Caleb Rathjen (Iowa) 17-7 (Dec 7-2)
Cons. Round 3 - Dylan D`Emilio (Ohio State) 27-13 won by decision over Gabe Willochell (Wyoming) 22-12 (Dec 9-7)
Cons. Round 4 - Casey Swiderski (Iowa State) 23-4 won in tie breaker - 1 over Dylan D`Emilio (Ohio State) 27-13 (TB-1 2-1)

157
Isaac Wilcox (22-12)

Prelim - Isaac Wilcox (Ohio State) 22-12 won by decision over Nick Stampoulos (Buffalo) 22-19 (Dec 8-2)
Champ. Round 1 - Levi Haines (Penn State) 22-0 won by tech fall over Isaac Wilcox (Ohio State) 22-12 (TF-1.5 7:00 (17-2))
Cons. Round 1 - Isaac Wilcox (Ohio State) 22-12 won by decision over Brock Mauller (Missouri) 16-7 (Dec 13-10)
Cons. Round 2 - Cael Swensen (South Dakota State) 22-10 won by decision over Isaac Wilcox (Ohio State) 22-12 (Dec 8-5)

174
Rocco Welsh (26-4)

Champ. Round 1 - Rocco Welsh (Ohio State) 26-4 won by decision over Danny Wask (Navy) 25-13 (Dec 4-2)
Champ. Round 2 - Rocco Welsh (Ohio State) 26-4 won in sudden victory - 1 over Austin Murphy (Campbell) 23-8 (SV-1 4-1)
Quarterfinal - Rocco Welsh (Ohio State) 26-4 won in sudden victory - 1 over Edmond Ruth (Illinois) 25-3 (SV-1 4-1)
Semifinal - Rocco Welsh (Ohio State) 26-4 won in sudden victory - 1 over Lennox Wolak (Columbia) 18-6 (SV-1 4-1)

ROCCO WELSH IS AN ALL-AMERICAN #GOBUCKS pic.twitter.com/IQRsb4IsN8
— Ohio State Wrestling (@wrestlingbucks) March 22, 2024

184
Ryder Rogotzke (19-10)

Champ. Round 1 - Ryder Rogotzke (Ohio State) 19-10 won by fall over Reece Heller (Pittsburgh) 21-8 (Fall 2:28)
Champ. Round 2 - Isaiah Salazar (Minnesota) 24-1 won in sudden victory - 1 over Ryder Rogotzke (Ohio State) 19-10 (SV-1 4-1)
Cons. Round 2 - Nate Dugan (Princeton) 25-9 won by decision over Ryder Rogotzke (Ohio State) 19-10 (Dec 8-5)

197
Luke Geog (15-10)

Champ. Round 1 - Silas Allred (Nebraska) 26-9 won by decision over Luke Geog (Ohio State) 15-10 (Dec 10-3)
Cons. Round 1 - Zach Glazier (Iowa) 25-4 won by major decision over Luke Geog (Ohio State) 15-10 (MD 16-6)

285
Nick Feldman (27-6)

Champ. Round 1 - Nick Feldman (Ohio State) 27-6 won by fall over Keaton Kluever (Hofstra) 15-7 (Fall 2:27)
Champ. Round 2 - Nick Feldman (Ohio State) 27-6 won by major decision over Bradley Hill (Iowa) 21-9 (MD 11-2)
Quarterfinal - Greg Kerkvliet (Penn State) 18-0 won by decision over Nick Feldman (Ohio State) 27-6 (Dec 1-0)
Cons. Round 4 - Nick Feldman (Ohio State) 27-6 won in sudden victory - 1 over Josh Heindselman (Oklahoma) 25-8 (SV-1 8-5)
Cons. Round 5 - Nick Feldman (Ohio State) 28-6 won by decision over Taye Ghadiali (Campbell) 36-5 (Dec 10-4)