Mendez, Stiles Named Big Ten Wrestlers to Watch
10/31/2025 2:00:00 PM | Wrestling
No. 5 Buckeyes Open 2025-26 Sunday
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The Big Ten Conference named its 2025-26 Wrestlers to Watch list Friday with a pair of Buckeyes named to the star-studded lineup.
Senior Jesse Mendez and transfer sophomore Ethan Stiles (149) represent Ohio State among the Big Ten's best.
Mendez, Ohio State's three-time All-American and owner of back-to-back NCAA Championships at 141, will open his season Saturday at the 2025 NWCA All-Star Classic at Jersey Mike's Arena on the Rutgers University campus. Coverage of the event on Flowrestling.org starts at 7 p.m. with No. 1-ranked Mendez taking the mat against Iowa State's No. 6 Anthony Echemendia in the final bout of the night. For the event schedule go to: 2025 NWCA All-Star Classic Bout Order.
Stiles, who opens his first year at Ohio State ranked No. 3 nationally, is one of more than 20 Buckeyes kicking off the season at the Clarion (Pa.) Open Sunday. The Oregon State transfer earned All-America status a season ago after finishing as the Pac-12 runner-up.
No. 5 Ohio State opens the dual season at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga Nov. 9. Match time is set for 1 p.m. with ESPN+ providing the live stream. The Buckeyes open the home dual season Nov. 20 against Kent State with B1G+ providing the live stream with a 7 p.m. start.
Players Mentioned
