Ryan Adds Gallagher, Gonzales and Bell to Wrestling Program
11/18/2020 8:16:01 AM | General, Wrestling
COLUMBUS, Ohio – Three student-athletes will further their academic and athletic careers as members of the Ohio State wrestling program, head coach Tom Ryan announced today.
The newest Buckeyes are Paddy Gallagher, a 165-pounder from Chesterland, Ohio (St. Edward High School), Andre Gonzales, a 125/133-pounder from San Diego, Calif (Poway High School) and Gavin Bell, a 184-pounder from Beavercreek, Ohio (Western Reserve Academy and Beavercreek High School).
Gallagher won the 160-pound state championship as a sophomore and then added a Junior National Championship to his resume during the summer of 2019 with a dominating performance in Fargo, N.D. He was 7-0 and six of his wins came by technical fall with a combined score of 78-15. In the state finals in 2019, he defeated Connor Brady of Olentangy Liberty, who was ranked No. 1 in the country at the time.
Before the 2020 state tournament was cancelled due to the COVID-19 outbreak, Gallagher won the Walsh Jesuit Ironman, considered the nation’s toughest and most competitive in-season tournament. He was also named Ohio’s Most Outstanding Wrestler in 2020 after going 33-1 and was the favorite to win his second state title. He is currently the nation’s No. 1-ranked 160-pounder and the No. 2 pound for pound prospect according to FloWrestling. His pound for pound ranking was bolstered in October when he defeated Travis Mastrogiovanni at FloWrestling’s Who’s No. 1 event.
Gallagher is the youngest of four children and his sister, Molly, also attends Ohio State. His father was an All-American wrestler at John Carrol University.
“Paddy Gallagher brings a lot to Ohio State,” said Ryan. “He is a great leader who will build on our culture. Keeping the elite home is critical to our program and we are excited Paddy chose to stay in state as he competed for the St. Edwards program. He’s an ultra-competitor that loves to attack. His combination of toughness, technique and high tempo will be fun to watch. Welcome to Buckeye Nation.”
Gonzalez, ranked No. 4 nationally at 113 pounds by Flowrestling, won a California state championship at 106 pounds last year at Poway High School in San Diego to cap a season in which he went 41-1. In the summer of 2019, he won both the Greco-Roman and Freestyle championships at the Junior Nationals in Fargo, N.D.
“Andre Gonzales is a standout in Poway, California,” said Ryan. “He will fill in well at 125 or 133. He has all the intangibles we look for: great character, a love for the sport, aggression, toughness and a tireless work ethic. Welcome to Buckeye Nation.”
Bell, a Beavercreek, Ohio native, is currently enrolled at Western Reserve Academy and will join the roster when the spring semester begins in January. He graduated from Beavercreek High School last spring and entered the 2020 OHSAA state tournament as one of just six undefeated wrestlers in Division I. As a junior in 2019, Bell placed fifth in the state at 152 pounds. A four-time state qualifier, Bell was just the second freshman in Beavercreek history to wrestle in the state tournament.
“Gavin is a home-grown talent from Beavercreek,” said Ryan. “His athletic ability and love for the sport make him an exciting pick up. He comes to us highly recommended and will fit well in our culture. Welcome to Buckeye Nation!”
