Ohio State Overcomes Iowa, 24-9, in Record-Breaking Covelli Center Match
The Ohio State Buckeyes achieved a significant milestone by defeating the Iowa Hawkeyes, 24-9, in a memorable wrestling dual. This victory was noteworthy not only for the score but also for taking place in front of a record crowd at the Covelli Center, where 4,749 fans witnessed history. This win marked the first time in program history that Ohio State began a season with a 17-0 record.
Key Moments of the Match
The dual against Iowa began in the 157-pound weight class. Victor Voinovich III opened the competition with a 5-1 victory over Maddox Shaw. Following this, Iowa gained momentum by securing wins in the next two matches:
- No. 3 Michael Caliendo defeated e’Than Birden, 8-2
- No. 3 Patrick Kennedy triumphed over No. 5 Carson Kharchla, 2-1
With Iowa leading 9-0, Ohio State needed to respond quickly. No. 7 Dylan Fishback faced Gabe Arnold and engaged in a tense match. After a tie at the end of regulation, Fishback was initially denied a winning takedown in sudden victory. However, after a review prompted by Coach Tom Ryan’s challenge, the official’s decision was overturned in favor of Fishback, awarding him vital points and igniting the home crowd.
Buckeyes Turn the Tide
Following Fishback’s victory, the Buckeyes commenced their comeback. Luke Geog, ranked No. 10, decisively defeated Brody Sampson, 13-4, narrowing Iowa’s lead to 9-7. The shift in momentum was palpable as Ohio State gained confidence.
Notably, No. 3 Nick Feldman achieved a hard-fought 3-2 decision over No. 8 Ken Kueter, a wrestler who had defeated him three times previously. This victory gave Ohio State its first lead of the dual at 10-9. Following Feldman, Nic Bouzakis, the No. 2-ranked 125-pounder, extended the Buckeyes’ lead to 13-9 with a 9-5 decision against No. 6 Dean Peterson.
Continuing the Winning Streak
The Buckeyes maintained their dominance in the lightweight category as No. 2 Ben Davino earned a 4-2 victory over No. 9 Drake Ayala. Davino’s win brought his season total to 22 victories without a defeat in duals. The culminating performance came from two-time NCAA champion Jesse Mendez, ranked No. 1 at 141 pounds. Mendez delivered an 18-3 technical fall against Kale Peterson, effectively sealing the dual for Ohio State.
With a lead of 21-9, No. 7 Ethan Stiles faced No. 18 Ryder Block in the final match. Stiles secured the final victory in sudden victory, further solidifying Ohio State’s impressive dual win of 24-9.
Looking Ahead
This dual marked Ohio State’s last home match for the season. The Buckeyes are set to face the nation’s top-ranked team, Penn State, next weekend. This match is scheduled for Friday, February 13, at 7 p.m., to be broadcast on Big Ten Network. The regular season will conclude with a matchup against Maryland on Sunday, February 15, at 2 p.m. on B1G+.
