The Buckeyes returned to the Covelli Center Friday evening for their second home duel of the season. The Buckeyes came into the match with a 2-1 record and the 6th ranked team in the nation. The Spartans came into the match with a 1-1 record and the 25th ranked team in the nation. The Buckeyes won 7/10 matches on their way to a 24-9 victory. Please read below for match by match details.
125 Pounds: No. 12 Malik Heinselman (3-0) vs. No. 10 Rayvon Foley (1-1)
- Heinselman is having his best season in Scarlet and Grey already avenging multiple losses from last season. Heinselman started the match aggressively with a shot to Foley’s legs on the edge of the mat, being awarded a takedown as the wrestlers went out of bounds. The wrestlers were then reset to the center of the mat and Foley was able to escape making the score 2-1. Both wrestlers were able to get in on deep shots but were unable to score before the period ended. Foley chose to go down to start the second period and quickly escaped tying the match 2-2. Heinselman then scored another takedown but was unable prevent Foley from escaping making the score 4-3. As Foley escaped, Heinselman was hit with a stalling warning. I honestly have no idea where this call came from. The wrestlers went to the center of the mat and Heinselman was hit with a second stalling call tying the match at 4-4 before the period ended. Heinselman chose to go down to start the third period and quickly escaped making the score 5-4 in favor of Heinselman. Heinselman stayed aggressive taking multiple shot to avoid a third stalling call. Foley attempted to score but was unable to break through Heinselman’s defense ending the match in a 5-4 decision for Heinselman. Heinselman’s decision made the team score 3-0 OSU.
133 Pounds: No. 24 Jordan Decatur (2-2) vs. No. 28 Jordan Hamdam (1-0)
- The match started with a flurry of action that included a shot by Decatur then a reattack by Hamdam that failed because Decatur was able to get ahold of his leg to force a stalemate. Hamdam was then hit with a stalling warning before the period ended. Hamdam chose to go down to start the second period. Decatur rode Hamdam the entire period and was able to lock in a leg turk to score 4 near fall points, ending the second period with a 4-0 lead. Decatur chose to go neutral to start the third period. Both wrestlers took multiple shots but neither were able to score ending the match in a 5-0 decision for Decatur. Decatur’s decision made the team score 6-0 OSU.
141 Pounds: Anthony Echemendia (2-0) vs. Jake Spiess (1-1)
- Echemendia started the match out quickly with two takedowns but was unable to accrue much riding time making his lead 4-2 to end the first period. Spiess, a wrestler from Delta, Ohio, chose to go on top for the second period and was able to ride Echemendia out. Echemendia chose to go neutral to start the third period and was able to score another takedown and accrued enough riding time to get Spiess’ riding time under 1 minute. Spiess was then able to escape cutting into Echemendia’s lead making the score 6-3. Both wrestlers continued to hand fight but Spiess was unable to score ending the match in a 6-3 decision for Echemendia. This was an exciting day for Echemendia as his wife and in-laws were in attendance. Echemendia’s decision made the team score 9-0 OSU.
149 Pounds: No. 2 Sammy Sasso (3-0) vs. No. 31 Peyton Omania
- Omania started the match out quickly with a body lock on Sasso that translated into a takedown. Sasso was able to fight to his feet and escape making the score 2-1 in favor of Omania. Neither wrestler was able to score again before the period ended. Sasso chose to go down to start the second period, quickly escaping and tying the match 2-2. Sasso took a shot but Omania was able to hit a go behind scoring another takedown. Omania was hit with a stalling prior to Sasso escaping. Sasso’s escape made the score 4-3 in favor of Omania. Sasso was then hit with an illegal hold call increasing Omania’s lead to 5-3. Sasso kept attacking and was able to score a takedown, tying the match 5-5 to end the second period. Omania decided to go down to start the third period and escaped after Sasso decided on an optional start. This made the score 6-5 Omania. Sasso then went on the attack and scored one last takedown. Sasso locked in a boot and rode Omania out, winning the match in a 7-6 decision. Sasso’s decision made the team score 12-0 OSU.
157 Pounds: No. 23 Elijah Cleary (2-1) vs. No. 29 Chase Saldate (1-1)
- The first period had a lot of hand fighting and snaps but neither wrestler was able to score ending the period 0-0. Cleary chose to go down to start the second period and was unable to escape ending the period 0-0. Saldate chose to go down to start the third period and scored a quick escape taking a 1-0 lead. Saldate was then able to score the only takedown of the match and rode Cleary out to win the match in a 4-0 decision. Saldate’s decision made the team score 12-3 OSU.
165 Pounds: No. 6 Ethan Smith (2-1) vs. No. 18 Jake Tucker (1-1)
- Smith started the match with a low single leg attack that translated into a takedown, making the score 2-0. Tucker quickly escaped but Smith was able to hit a go behind scoring another takedown increasing his lead to 4-1. Smith then allowed Tucker to escape but kept on the attack scoring one last takedown at the buzzer, ending the first period with a 6-2 lead. Smith chose to go neutral to start the second period. Smith was able to hit a down block go behind for another takedown increasing his lead to 8-2. Smith cut Tucker loose making the score 8-3. Smith kept attacking for two more takedowns to end the second period with a 12-4 lead and over 2 minutes of riding time. Tucker chose to go down to start the third period and Smith chose to go neutral making the score 12-5. Smith was able to score two more takedowns in the third period ending the match in a 17-6 major decision. Smith’s major made the team score 16-3.
174 Pounds: No. 4 Kaleb Romero (3-0) vs. No. 17 Drew Hughes (1-1)
- Kaleb is another wrestler having his best season in Scarlet and Grey. Romero started the match with a quick takedown making the score 2-0. Romero chose an optional start which allowed Hughes to escape. Romero then hit a double leg scoring another takedown. Romero again chose an optional start making the score 4-2 to end the first period. Hughes chose to go on top to start the second period and was hit with a stalling before Romero escaped increasing his lead to 5-2. Romero was able to score one more takedown in the second period and did not allow Hughes to escape increasing his lead to 7-2 to end the second period. Romero chose to go neutral to start the third period. Hughes was hit with his second stalling making the score 8-2 in favor of Romero. Romero tacked on two more takedowns making the final score a 13-3 major decision. Romero’s major decision made the team score 20-3 OSU.
184 Pounds: No. 16 Rocky Jordan (1-2) vs. No. 13 Layne Malczewski (2-0)
- The match started with an early takedown from Malczewski making the score 2-0. Malczewski was able to ride Jordan out accruing 2.5 minutes of riding time. Jordan was also hit with a stalling warning ending the first period 2-0 in favor of Malczewski. Malczewski chose to go down to start the second period quickly escaping which increased his lead to 3-0. Jordan was able to get in on a deep shot but Malczewski locked in a crotch lock and a stale mate was called ending the period 3-0. Jordan chose to go neutral to start the third period. Malczewski was hit with a stalling call. Jordan continued to attack and was able to score a late takedown but it was not enough making the final score a 4-2 decision for Malczewski. Malczewski’s decision made the team score 20-6 OSU.
197 Pounds: No. 25 Chase Hoffman (2-1) vs. No. 6 Cameron Caffey (2-0)
- Both wrestlers fought for position in the first period but were unable to get into scoring position ending the first period 0-0. Caffey chose to go down to start the second period quickly escaping taking a 1-0 lead. Neither wrestler was able to score the rest of the period. Hoffman chose to go down to start the third period and was able to score an escape tying the match 1-1. Caffey was finally able to break through for a takedown taking a 3-1 lead. Hoffman quickly got back to his feet scoring an escaping. Hoffman got in on a late attack but was unable to score before going out of bounds and time running out. Caffey won the match in a 3-2 decision. Caffey’s decision made the team score 20-9 OSU.
HWT: No. 8 Tate Orndorff (1-2) vs. Christian Rebottaro (0-0)
- Both wrestlers fought for body control in the first period but were unable to score ending the period 0-0. Orndorff chose to go down to start the second period and was able to escape taking a 1-0 lead. Orndorff was then able to get a body lock that translated to a takedown and 4 near fall points, making the score 7-0. Orndorff was able to ride Rebottaro out ending the second period with a 7-0 lead. Rebottaro chose to go neutral to start the third period. Orndorff went back to his offense with two more takedowns, ending the match with a 12-1 major decision. Orndorff’s major decision make the final team score 24-9 OSU.
There are a few wrestlers that are starting to come into their own in this lineup. These wrestlers would include Heinselman and Hoffman. It is also my opinion that Romero is currently the best wrestler on this roster. I am excited for what the future holds but I did notice Michigan State chose the top position multiple times exposing a weakness they identified. As a team, we need to continue working on our mat wrestling to take the next step. Overall this is a good team win for the Buckeyes.
Written By Brandon Dodson
Follow me @RecruitingBucks
Comments