Penn State Wrestling Beats Ohio State, 32-12

In front of the biggest crowd to ever watch a wrestling match at Ohio State, Penn State spoiled the evening as they beat Ohio State 32-12.

Ohio State coach Tom Ryan told Big Ten Network’s Shane Sparks during intermission that the first five matches had been a “nightmare scenario” and that was the best way to describe the match tonight for the Buckeyes.

The match started at 125 where second-ranked Nick Suriano took on Jose Rodriguez of Ohio State, who has been struggling of late. His struggles would continue as Suriano used a late set of back points to get the 19-4 technical fall, bringing the team score to 5-0.

Top-ranked Buckeye Nathan Tomasello answered with a technical fall of his own at 133 over Nittany Lion George Carpenter, 22-7, making the team score 5-5.

In one of the most anticipated matches of the night, Latrobe, Pa. natives Jimmy Gulibon and Luke Pletcher squared off at 141. Gulibon continued his good run of form with a 5-3 victory after racking up 1:17 of riding time.

The dual featured another crucial match at 149, as top-ranked Zain Retherford of Penn State took on fifth-ranked Micah Jordan. In a performance that Assistant Coach Cody Sanderson described to Jeff Byers in the post-match interview as “(I) don’t think that’s his best, maybe 70%”, Retherford managed to notch a technical fall over Jordan, 20-5.

Top-ranked Jason Nolf was slated to wrestle Buckeye Head Coach Tom Ryan’s son, Jake Ryan. However, Ryan, potentially wary that Nolf would dismantle said son, sent out Austin DeCarlo instead. Nolf did not waste any time, as the stud 157-pounder pinned DeCarlo in 1:36, bringing the team score to 19-5 at the break.

After the break, Cenzo Joseph continued Penn State’s dominance, as he worked his way to an 11-1 major decision over Cody Burcher at 165.

Mark Hall was supposed to wrestle Bo Jordan, who looked healthy enough last weekend against Iowa. But, because 15,000 fans showed up to watch backups, Ryan sent out his backup Justin Kresevic and the freshman Hall worked for the pin at the 5:21 mark, making the team score 29-5.

Tom Ryan did, however, decide to wrestle Myles Martin in a rematch of last year’s NCAA final at 174 against Bo Nickal. Nickal completely outwrestled Martin for the third time in four college matches between the two, working his way to an 8-2 victory.

At 197, Matt McCutcheon took on stud Buckeye freshman Kollin Moore. Despite scoring two takedowns off of counters, McCutcheon could not keep up with Moore’s relentless pace as he dropped a 9-6 decision.

Up at heavyweight, Champion of Everything Kyle Snyder dismantled very-good-in-his-own-right sophomore Nick Nevills, earning a 19-9 major decision and bringing the final team score to 32-12.

Wrestler of the Match

I cannot believe Bo Nickal ever lost to Myles Martin. It is truly one of the great mysteries of life.

Bout-by-Bout

125: #2 Nick Suriano PSU TF #18 Jose Rodriguez OSU, 19-4 (TF; 7:00) / 5-0

133: #1 Nathan Tomasello OSU TF George Carpenter PSU, 22-7 (TF; 6:01) / 5-5

141: #11 Jimmy Gulibon PSU dec. #15 Luke Pletcher OSU, 5-3 / 8-5

149: #1 Zain Retherford PSU TF #5 Micah Jordan OSU, 20-5 (TF; 7:00) / 13-5

157: #1 Jason Nolf PSU pinned Anthony DeCarlo OSU, WBF (1:36) / 19-5

165: #4 Vincenzo Joseph PSU maj. dec. Cody Burcher OSU, 11-1 / 23-5

174: #7 Mark Hall PSU pinned Justin Kresevic OSU, WBF (5:21) / 29-5

184: #2 Bo Nickal PSU dec. #10 Myles Martin OSU, 8-2 / 32-5

197: #54 Kollin Moore OSU dec. #9 Matt McCutcheon PSU, 9-6 / 32-8

285: #1 Kyle Snyder OSU maj. dec. #3 Nick Nevills PSU, 19-9 / 32-12

Penn State returns to action next Friday night against the Illinois Fighting Illini in Rec Hall at 7 p.m.