Tom Ryan has a pragmatic approach to the outcome of his team’s wrestle-offs last week. Barring injury, some weight class results will remain set through the season while a few will remain open for competition and coaches’ decisions as the year progresses. 

“Barring something unforeseen, 141 (Jesse Mendez), 149 (Dylan D’Emilio), 157 (Paddy Gallagher), 174 (Carson Kharchla), 197 (Luke Geog) and Heavyweight (Nick Feldman) are set,” Ryan said. “184 is wide open, with (Gavin) Hoffman on his way down, and (Seth) Shumate and (Ryder) Rogotzke definitely in the mix.”  

Injuries prevented a full slate of wrestle-offs from being held last Thursday.

“The final wrestle off for 165 hasn’t been held yet,” Ryan said. “When Bryce (Hepner) is ready, he’ll go up against Isaac Wilcox, so that’s a weight class we’re looking at.”

Wilcox defeated Carter Chase, 6-1, in what was essentially a semifinal wrestle-off, with the winner facing Hepner when he returns. Ryan described Hepner’s ailment as “slight lower body” in nature.

“We’ve got some clarity on the six weight classes,” Ryan said. “The results of last Thursday and performances in the Clarion Open will determine the short term starter for Virginia Tech.”

Ryan stressed the importance of each team member remaining engaged and ready.

“Everyone is critically important,” he said. “You never know when someone is going to be banged up, so it’s important that each is giving his very best each day from a preparedness standpoint. Every wrestler on the team matters, all the time, not just who we see in matches each weekend. 

“We use the example of how many watts are being put out each day in practice? It's the cumulative watts that matter, the cumulative amount of energy that’s being put out each day, not just by the so-called ‘best guys,’ but by the entire team. We make that very clear.” 

Ryan cited the Nick Feldman-Hogan Swenski wrestle off as just one example. Fedman won by technical fall. 

“Swenski has to fight and battle each day,” Ryan said. “It helps him get better, and the more strain he can give Feldman, the better Feldman will be. That’s why cumulative effort by the entire team, not just the current starters, is so critical.”

Ohio State Associate Head Coach J Jaggers Weighs In 

On the start of another season:

“We’re very excited. I’m sure every team in the country is feeling the same way because so many weeks and months of work go into this. Outside of some freestyle from the spring and summer, for the most part, these guys constantly train amongst each other. 

“Guys are ready for a fresh feel, some different looks. They want to get out there and see where some growth has occurred.”

On Sammy Sasso:

“You can’t replace Sammy. His wrestling, his production, his heart, you just can’t. Trying to replace his pull on the team, his leadership, that’s equally as hard. It’s been great that he's been able to come around, be around the guys. He wants nothing but the best for these guys. It’s how he is.

“Sammy has always been all in and it’s hard to replace his production and his presence, but it’s forced some guys to step up and attempt to do so.”

On Buckeyes who might be considered dark horses:

“Dylan D’Emilio is really looking crisp this year. Last year, probably around February, Dylan really began to understand his identity as a wrestler where his (performances) began to be ‘A’, ‘A+’. Sometimes, there were times last year where he was good at a lot of skills — maybe (grading as a) ‘B’, ‘B-’  — but he would try to do them all (in) one match. He’s gotten better at wrestling his spots, knowing what he’s good at and keeping matches there. His overall wrestling has just gotten better; his leg attack defense has really come around. Going up to 149 pounds will allow him to use his motor a little more. Taking the weight management variable out should help his consistency because he’s a guy that doesn’t get tired.

“It’s hard to call Dylan a dark horse because he was an All-American last year (finishing eighth), but he was probably a surprise All-American to some last year, based on his ranking coming into the tournament.

“Paddy Gallagher is another. He came in with that #1 ranking pedigree out of high school and maybe hasn’t hit his yearly thresholds the way some other Buckeye phenoms of the past did. We were so blessed with the Stiebers and the Snyders, the Myles Martins and Kollin Moores of the past who came in highly regarded and made it look almost easy (with their immediate success). That’s usually not how it goes. It’s not easy.

“I know Paddy’s 2-2 performance at the NCAAs last year was disappointing for him. Hopefully this year he takes those next steps forward and keeps progressing.”

Getting Close

While Ryan said Hepner and Kharchla were unable to wrestle last Thursday, he confirmed that both are “close” and are working to get “back to 100 percent.”

On The Horizon

Nov. 5 — at Clarion Open 

Nov. 10 — at Virginia Tech

Nov. 12 — vs. Edinboro