The Ohio State wrestling team has been one of the best programs in the country over the last few years. In fact, only Penn State can claim a better run than the Buckeyes. Ohio State did lose a lot of key members off the last couple of teams, but it has reloaded and looking to do some damage again this year.
On that note, the InterMat preseason rankings are out, and the Buckeyes are high up on the list at No. 3. Now, before you celebrate, Ohio State will be competing in arguably the toughest conference in the the country. Both Penn state (No.1) and Iowa (No.2) are both expected to be challenge, and maybe even be a wee-bit better than the Buckeyes.
In addition to that, Wisconsin (5), Nebraska (6), and Minnesota (7) also appear in the Top 10.
Here is the complete top ten according to InterMat:
1. Penn State
2. Iowa
3. Ohio State
4. Arizona State
5. Wisconsin
6. Nebraska
7. Minnesota
8. Oklahoma State
9. Lehigh
10. Iowa State
It’s still a loaded group though that could surprise. Eight of 10 individual weight classes have a Buckeye slotted inside the top-20. Those nationally-ranked Buckeyes include: No. 19 Malik Heinselman (125 lbs), No. 3 Luke Pletcher (141), No. 5 Sammy Sasso (149), No. 12 Ethan Smith (165), No. 19 Kaleb Romero (174), No. 17 Gavin Hoffman (184), No. 1 Kollin Moore (197) and No. 10 Chase Singletary (HWT).
The 100th season of Ohio State Wrestling gets under way this Saturday when the Buckeyes travel to East Lansing, Michigan to compete in the Michigan State Open. Wrestling will begin at 9:30 a.m. ET inside the Jenison Field House.
Good luck, and let’s see Ohio State take down both Penn State and Iowa this year.
