COLUMBUS, Ohio – The highly anticipated 2024-25 Ohio State Wrestling season kicked off with an impressive display of talent as the Buckeyes clinched seven championship titles on Sunday at the Clarion Open, demonstrating their dominance early in the year.
Brendan McCrone was the first Buckeye to stand atop the podium, securing the title at 125 pounds after a hard-fought victory in the final match against his teammate Vincent Kilkeary. McCrone showcased his skills and composure, ultimately winning the championship by a close decision of 5-3.
In another thrilling matchup featuring two Buckeyes, freshman Ben Davino made an impressive debut in his first collegiate event, emerging victorious with a 5-3 decision over redshirt sophomore Nic Bouzakis in the championship bout.
Defending NCAA and Big Ten Champion Jesse Mendez continued to solidify his reputation by dominating the 141-pound bracket. He triumphed with a commanding 14-3 victory over Luke Stanich of Lehigh, who was wrestling unattached. Meanwhile, redshirt junior Andre Gonzales showcased strong determination but ultimately finished in sixth place.
At 149 pounds, senior Dylan D’Emilio faced Kade Brown of Pittsburgh in a competitive championship match, walking away with a decisive 5-1 win that highlighted his experience and tactical prowess. Senior Klay Reeves fought valiantly but ended the tournament in sixth.
Redshirt freshman Brock Herman had a standout performance in the 157-pound category, defeating Kaleb Burgess of Buffalo decisively with a major decision of 13-5 in the finals. Redshirt freshman T.J. Schierl contributed to the Buckeyes’ strong showing by finishing fifth, with redshirt sophomore Gavin Brown not far behind in sixth.
At 165 pounds, the Buckeyes saw freshman e’Than Birden earn third place in his initial collegiate competition, securing a 7-3 decision victory over Keegan Rothrock of Brown, who was also competing unattached. His performance hints at a promising future for the young grappler.
Wrestling unattached, Ohio State’s Rocco Welsh, a notable All-American who placed second at the 2024 NCAA Championships in the 184-pound division, faced off against Jaden Bullock of Michigan in the finals. Welsh delivered a strong performance, winning the championship with a decisive 7-2 victory by decision.
In the competitive 197-pound class, redshirt sophomore Luke Geog fell short in the title match against Michael Beard of Lehigh, with a final score of 7-5. However, classmate Seth Shumate proved his mettle by clinching third place after edging out Hayden Walters of Michigan with a close 5-4 decision victory.
In the heavyweight category, redshirt sophomore Nick Feldman, an established All-American from last season, claimed the final championship of the day with a solid 7-3 decision win against Nathan Taylor of Lehigh, adding to the Buckeyes’ impressive haul of titles.
The Buckeyes will begin their dual season with an exciting home match on November 14 at the Covelli Center in Columbus, taking on the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga. The match is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. (B1G+), and the 2015 Ohio State national championship team will be honored during this event, adding an extra layer of significance to the occasion.
#GoBucks
**Short Interview with Ohio State Wrestling Coach Tom Ryan About the Start of the 2024-25 Season**
**Interviewer:** Coach Ryan, congratulations on an impressive start to the season at the Clarion Open! What were your thoughts on the team’s performance this past weekend?
**Coach Ryan:** Thank you! I couldn’t be prouder of our team’s effort at the Clarion Open. Securing seven championship titles right out of the gate is a testament to the hard work and dedication our athletes have put in during the offseason. Each wrestler demonstrated not just skill, but also a strong competitive spirit.
**Interviewer:** Brendan McCrone and Ben Davino had particularly exciting matches as they faced off against teammates. Can you tell us what impressed you most about their performances?
**Coach Ryan:** Absolutely. Brendan’s victory at 125 pounds was fantastic. He showed incredible poise in a close match, and his ability to remain composed under pressure really set the tone for the rest of the team. Ben’s debut was equally impressive; to see a freshman step up and win against a more experienced teammate like Nic Bouzakis speaks volumes about his potential and readiness for the challenges ahead.
**Interviewer:** Jesse Mendez continued his dominance at 141 pounds. How significant is it for the team to have such a strong competitor in that weight class?
**Coach Ryan:** Jesse’s performance reinforces his status as a leader on our team. His commanding victory not only boosts his own confidence but also inspires his teammates. It’s crucial in a sport like wrestling to have athletes who can seize the moment and set high standards for others to follow.
**Interviewer:** Looking ahead, what are your expectations for the rest of the season?
**Coach Ryan:** We’re just getting started, but the foundation laid at the Clarion Open is solid. As we continue to compete, I expect our athletes to refine their skills and build upon these early successes. Our goal is always to compete for championships, and I believe this team has the talent and determination to achieve that.
**Interviewer:** Thanks, Coach Ryan! We look forward to following the team’s journey this season.
**Coach Ryan:** Thank you! We’ll keep pushing forward and strive for excellence both on and off the mat. Go Buckeyes!
