Tom Ryan’s Ohio State team is undefeated in dual meets through the first two months of the college wrestling season. 

The Buckeyes spent a couple weeks atop the national rankings, and individually, eight starters are currently ranked sixth or better at their respective weight classes with two others not far behind. 

There’s something special about these Buckeyes, who have an opportunity to chase down lofty goals this season. Ryan has been unwavering about his belief that Ohio State has a realistic shot at winning the national title in March.  

“It’ll take all 10 of our wrestlers making it on the (All-American) podium,” Ryan said. “But that’s realistic with this group.”

It’s a feat that has been accomplished just twice at the Division I level. Minnesota put 10 on the podium in 2001 and Penn State did it last March in Philadelphia. 

Putting 10 on the podium isn’t a pipe dream for these Buckeyes. Paddy Gallagher (#13 at 165) and Luke Geog (#10 at 197) are the only Ohio State starters ranked lower than sixth — and they’re getting pushed by teammates who are challenging for starting jobs. 

e’Than Birden won the Midlands title earlier this week at 165 pounds and 197-pounder Seth Shumate reached the NCAA quarterfinals last March. 

“We want the best team in March — unemotionally speaking,” Ryan said. “Whether it’s (Nic) Bouzakis or (Brendan) McCrone (at 125) or Paddy (Gallagher) or e’Than Birden at 165 or the guys we have at 197, it’ll come down to who we think makes us our best in March.”

Taking Inventory 

Here’s a look at where the Buckeyes stand through the first two months of the season. 

125 — #5 Nic Bouzakis: After two trips to the NCAA Championships at 133 — both of which ended with a pair of wins and a pair of losses — Bouzakis cut down to 125 this season and the move is suiting him well. Officially, he’s undefeated with wins over All-Americans Stevo Poulin and Jore Volk, although he has a loss to teammate McCrone, which doesn’t count for NCAA seeding purposes. 

133 — #2 Ben Davino: One of the nation’s most-hyped freshmen has been as good as advertised. He’s 13-0 with three wins over All-Americans, including a 10-4 victory against two-time NCAA finalist Drake Ayala. 

141 — #1 Jesse Mendez: The two-time NCAA champ is building a Hodge campaign in his final go-round with the Buckeyes. He’s 10-0 with eight bonus-point victories, along with wins over All-Americans Anthony Echemendia and Brock Hardy. 

149 — #5 Ethan Stiles: The Oregon State transfer, who placed sixth last year at the NCAA Championships, is 7-3 this season, highlighted by his unbeaten run at the National Duals Invitational. 

157 — #1 Brandon Cannon: Cannon’s ascent to #1 in the national rankings has been one of college wrestling’s best stories this season. A rare, aggressive tumor left Cannon unable to walk five years ago. He went nearly 22 months without competing in a wrestling tournament. Now he’s a legitimate NCAA title threat after notching a major decision win against returning national champ Antrell Taylor of Nebraska. 

165 — #13 Paddy Gallagher: One of the nation’s top recruits in the Class of 2021, Gallagher has battled through injuries at Ohio State. He’s 7-4 this season, but that doesn’t tell the full story. One of his losses was a two-point defeat and three others came in overtime, including one against returning NCAA finalist Michael Caliendo. 

“He’s shown he’s close,” Ryan said. “Close losses to All-Americans — an overtime loss to Caliendo this year, an overtime loss last year to the NCAA champion Antrell Taylor. 

“It’s about making more attempts. Paddy gets in on guys’ legs. But if he’s 1-for-2 in his success rate in a loss, make it 7-of-14, so you can rack up points and get the win. Paddy has the skills, it’s about going nonstop in matches with his attacks.” 

174 — #4 Carson Kharchla: The 2022 All-American is 9-1 with six bonus-point victories, along with wins against returning All-Americans Christopher Minto and Matty Singleton. His lone loss was an overtime defeat against then-#2 Patrick Kennedy.  

184 — #6 Dylan Fishback: The Ohio native came up one win short of the podium during each of the past two seasons while competing for NC State. He transferred last summer to Ohio State and he’s been a good addition for the Buckeyes. Fishback is 8-2. Both of his losses came in overtime against the wrestlers who started the season ranked first and second — Minnesota’s Max McEnelly and Iowa’s Angelo Ferrari. 

197 — #10 Luke Geog: This is one of the weights that’s not yet settled for the Buckeyes with Geog and Shumate battling for the job. Shumate scored bonus points in four of his five matches on his way to a Midlands title, but Geog is expected to get the nod this weekend at Oregon State.  

285 — #3 Nick Feldman: Ohio State’s junior heavyweight is 11-2 this season with six technical falls. He notched a win against then-#1 AJ Ferrari at the National Duals Invitational but dropped decisions to both of the guys currently ahead of him in the rankings — Iowa State’s Yonger Bastida and NC State’s Isaac Trumble. 

“Nick can beat anyone in the country,” Ryan said. “Being able to and going out and doing it are two different things, but Nick can absolutely beat any heavyweight in the country.”

On Deck

The Buckeyes return to competition Sunday at Oregon State in a dual that will be streamed live on Flowrestling. This is the return trip of a home-and-home series. Ohio State beat the Beavers 40-3 last year in Columbus. 

“Doing whatever you can to help grow your fan base is critical,” Ryan said. “You can’t grow that fan base without home duals, so we both got what we wanted.”