Jan. 16, 2014

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ohio State Wrestling Contact:

Danielle Warner (warner.238@osu.edu)

 

RELATED INFO

·         Online Release/PDF with Probable Starters: http://go.osu.edu/wr_2014northwesternpreview

·         VIDEO: Coach Ryan Previews Northwestern Match

·         Match Day

·         2013-14 Statistics

·         Follow the Buckeyes on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram

 

No. 10 Ohio State Set to Host No. 15 Northwestern in Cincinnati

Buckeyes, Wildcats will meet at Cincinnati Moeller High School at 7 p.m. Friday

 

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The No. 10 Ohio State wrestling team returns to action at 7 p.m. Friday when it hosts No. 15 Northwestern at Cincinnati Moeller High School. Ohio State’s allotment of tickets for the match is sold out. 

 

The Buckeyes (6-2; 1-2 Big Ten) split their Big Ten matches last weekend, dropping a 22-15 decision at No. 23 Wisconsin Jan. 10, but rebounding with an 18-16 victory at No. 11 Illinois Jan. 12.

 

In the Big Ten

The Buckeyes are in eighth place in the Big Ten with a 1-2 record (6-2 overall). Including the match Friday night, Ohio State has five more Big Ten matches remaining.

 

Ohio State’s remaining 2014 Big Ten matches

Date      Opponent                     Time            Coverage

Jan. 17  vs. Northwestern1    7 p.m.         None

Jan. 24  vs. Nebraska                7 p.m.         BTN.com

Jan. 31  vs. Michigan                 7 p.m.         Buckeye Vision

Feb. 3    at Purdue                      7 p.m.         BTN (Live)

Feb. 7    vs. Michigan State2   7 p.m.         None

 

1 at Cincinnati Moeller High School; 2 at Massillon Perry High School

 

2014 National Duals

Ohio State will serve as hosts of the 2014 EAS Sports Nutrition/NWCA National Duals at St. John Arena in Columbus Feb. 16-17. Log on to https://go.osu.edu/wr_2014NationalDuals for more information, including how to purchase tickets.

               

In addition to Ohio State, teams scheduled to participate include: Cornell, Minnesota, Oklahoma, Tennessee-Chattanooga, Kent State, Central Michigan, Virginia Tech, Bloomsburg, North Dakota State, Oregon State, Iowa State, Hofstra and Illinois. 

Last Time Out

Ohio State posted a 1-1 record last weekend in Big Ten action. First traveling to Madison, Wis., to face the No. 23 Badgers, the Buckeyes dropped a 22-15 decision before answering with an 18-16 come-from-behind victory at No. 11 Illinois. A trio of Buckeyes in Logan Stieber (141 pounds), Ian Paddock (149 pounds) and Kenny Courts (184 pounds) notched 2-0 records on the weekend. 

 

Stieber, ranked No. 3 in the nation, once again was dominant in his matches, first beating Wisconsin’s Jesse Thielke via an 18-1 technical fall. The redshirt-junior from Monroeville, Ohio, followed that performance with a 2:02 fall vs. Dominic Olivieri. All 12 of Stieber’s victories have been bonus point wins, including a team-leading seven falls.

Paddock improved to 19-6 overall on the season with his pair of wins. The senior from Warsaw, N.Y., opened the weekend with a 3-2 victory vs. Badger Rylan Lubeck before upsetting Illini and No. 16 Caleb Ervin, 10-4.

 

The first Buckeye starter to reach 20 wins, redshirt-sophomore and No. 7 Courts began the weekend with a 12-4 major decision vs. Wisconsin’s Dylan Iczkowski. A native of Harrisburg, Pa., Courts concluded the weekend with an 8-1 decision against Nikko Reyes of Illinois.    

 

Statistically Speaking

With his 2:02 pin over Illinois’ Dominic Olivieri Jan. 12 in Champaign, redshirt-junior Logan Stieber (141 pounds) recorded his team-leading seventh fall of the season. Redshirt-sophomore Kenny Courts (184 pounds) became the first Buckeye starter to collect 20 wins on the season after beating Nikko Reyes of Illinois, 8-1. Redshirt-freshman Nick Roberts paces the squad in major decisions with seven, while Courts is the team leader in technical falls with four.

 

Buckeyes Dominating Opponents

Through eight dual matches, Ohio State is outscoring its opponents, 189-108. The Buckeyes have scored more than 25 points in five matches this season – all wins. Ohio State recorded 18 team points in its 18-16 victory at Illinois Jan. 12.  

 

Bonus

Fifty percent or better of three Buckeyes’ wins are bonus point victories this season. All 12 of redshirt junior Logan Stieber’s victories are by either major decision (2), technical fall (3) or fall (7). Redshirt freshman Nick Tavanello has recorded two major decisions, one technical fall and six falls out of 17 wins.

    

In the Rankings

Ohio State dropped to 10th (302 points) in the USA Today/NWCA/AWN Division I Coaches Poll released Tuesday. In the InterMat NCAA Division I Tournament Index ratings, the Buckeyes are 12th with 35.5 points. Seven Buckeyes are ranked in the Amateur Wrestling News polls, including a pair of wrestlers in the Top 4. At 125 pounds, Johnni DiJulius is No. 3, followed by No. 3 Logan Stieber (141 pounds). 184-pounder Kenny Courts is No. 8, while Nick Roberts (125 pounds) and Nick Heflin (197 pounds) hold down the No. 11 spots in their respective weight class. No. 16 Ian Paddock (149 pounds) and No. 20 Mark Martin (174 pounds) round out ranked Buckeye wrestlers.      

 

Buckeyes vs. Wildcats

Ohio State leads the all-time series vs. the Wildcats, 40-29-1, and has won five of the last six meetings. Last season, the Buckeyes handed the Wildcats a 33-6 loss in Evanston.

 

Date                      Results (Last Six Meetings)

Jan. 6, 2013         Ohio State 33, Northwestern 6

Feb. 19, 2011      Northwestern 27, Ohio State13

Feb. 7, 2010        Ohio State37, Northwestern 6

Feb. 20, 2009      Ohio State 23, Northwestern 13

Jan. 13, 2008       Ohio State 19, Northwestern 17

Feb. 4, 2007        Ohio State 18, Northwestern 16

 

Up Next

Ohio State will return to St. John Arena Jan. 24 where it will host No. 8 Nebraska at 7 p.m. The match vs. the Cornhuskers will be streamed live on BTN.com. Following the match, fans will have an opportunity to meet their favorite Buckeye in a meet and greet.

 

#GoBucks