Ohio State Wrestling: Defending Champs On Display Before Football Game

By Curt Heinrichs on October 16, 2015 at 6:00 pm
Tom Ryan talks open practice before Black Saturday.
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Ohio State’s defending NCAA champion football team will obviously be in action tomorrow night under the lights in the Horseshoe, but they’re not the only trophy-hoisters to be on display for Ohio State. As mentioned by DJ earlier in the week, the Buckeye wrestling team will be conducting an outdoor practice prior to the football game. Eleven Warriors spoke with Coach Tom Ryan about what to expect during the open practice.

 

11W: So this is the second year that you’re conducting an outdoor practice. What can the casual fans that’ll be drifting over toward the stadium expect to see on Saturday afternoon?

TR: They’re going to be able to see the high level of talent that we have on the roster. We’re going to have about a 60 minute workout with all of our guys taking part in the workout. Overall, they’ll see the level of intensity that’s needed to prepare yourself for the Big Ten and college wrestling, in general.

11W: What time will you start the practice on Saturday?

TR: It will be at 4:30 PM in the grass just south of St. John Arena. We’ll be conveniently located between St. John Arena and the football stadium. We’ll have the area roped off, and about 45 guys will be getting after it.

11W: Is this merely an opportunity to take a look at the team? Will there be anything interactive like a Q & A session?

TR: There will be a meet and greet after so fans can have a chance to say hello and get pictures with our guys.

11W: Since you’ve mentioned in the past that you like to bring in recruits to visit Ohio State during weekends with home football games, are you trying to pressure Coach Meyer to put his best foot forward against Penn State to help you impress some of your wrestling recruits?

TR: Yeah (laughs). Coach Meyer doesn’t need any pressure from me to put his best foot forward. I know that the football team has a lot of big recruits coming this weekend, as well. This particular game is a night game. I would say that of the 36 sports at Ohio State, this is probably one of the weekends that those coaches isolated as a game to bring in lots of big recruits. I’d imagine that some of the most elite high school athletes in the United States no matter the sport will be on Ohio State’s campus this weekend. We (the 2014-15 wrestling team) are also being honored in the 3rd quarter for our national title, so that’s also something of interest to the wrestling fans that will also be watching the football game.


The NCAA allowed teams to begin official practices on October 10th, so the Buckeyes are a week into official preparation to defend their NCAA and Big Ten team titles. After Saturday’s open practice, they will be in action next for the team wrestle-off on October 29th. Nathan Tomasello will represent the Buckeyes the following Sunday at the preseason kickoff NWCA All-Star Classic in Atlanta. The entire starting lineup will be in action on November 13 when the Buckeyes host Virginia to start the dual season. 

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